Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
9
9
Hydropower Plants -
Wet Energy
In terms of numbers, there are far fewer water-powered systems today than there
were at their heyday at the end of the eighteenth century. At that time between
500 000 and 600 000 watermills were turning in Europe alone (König, 1999). In
those days France was the country that had the highest number, although thousands
were also being used in other parts of Europe. Water wheels not only drive mills
but also power a number of other work and tool machines. Flowing waterfalls were
harnessed by watermills with turning wheels up to 18 m in diameter. At fi ve to seven
horsepower the average power of water wheels at that time was still comparatively
modest (Figure 9.1 ).
Figure 9.1 Historic watermill in
the Alps. Source: www.verbund.at.
 
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