Hydro & Geothermal

Micro-Hydro

Geothermal Heat & Electricity

Hydropower has played an important role in American history. For more than a century sawmills were powered directly by waterwheels. Waterwheels have also been used in other manufacturing processes, driving large belt & pulley systems. Today, hydropower is synonomous with large hydroelectric dams, such as the Hells Canyon Complex and the Hoover Dam. However, micro-hydro systems are excellent for net-metering and other distributed electric generation projects.

Geothermal energy is generated by heat in the earth's crust. It may take the form of geysers, such as those at Yellowstone National Park; hot springs, common throughout western North America; and volcanoes. The earth has tremendous amounts of geothermal energy. For example, the Hawaiian Islands and other island chains were formed (and are still being formed) when their tectonic plates slowly move over hot spots in the earth's crust.