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Hydro-electricity, has been used since the late 1800s and generates the greatest energy yield of all the renewable energy technologies. Due to the climate, vegetation and mountains in Northern Ireland, most rivers are fed by precipitous water. This refers the water and rain which runs from high ground.
Power generation of hydro systems depends on two factors: the height the water falls (head) and the volume of water available (flow). Flowing water is diverted from a given point in a river via a channel or “race” which may be piped to a turbine located downstream, where it passes through the turbine and drives a generator.
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