Hydro power generation, once upon a time considered as the primary source for domestic and industrial power is considered today as the secondary source of power generation, mostly because of the natural causes, in addition to the shifting population trends. In chapter one. Steven B Spain elaborately discussed the history of power generation, both in the global as well as the US perspective in Chapter 1 of this publication.
Hydro and Wave power generation was discussed in the 2011 Handbook in four chapters by Spain, Jacobson, Thareja, and Gamble et al which have been updated in this current book. Steven Spain stated that the hydropower was considered as “a safe, reliable and renewable energy source. The coverage in this chapter are aspects of hydropower (HP), shown in the parenthesis are sections where these topics are addressed - Vision (5.2), Resources - Dams and Lakes (5.3), Storage and Hybrid Hydro Energy (5.4), Monitoring (5.5), Population Accessibility (5.6), Climate Impact (5.7), Functionality Indicators (5.8), Hydraulic Power Quality and Delivery System (5.9), Hydraulic Engineering Problems and Prospects. - Pros and Cons (5.10), Modernizing HP (5.11), Why and How Can US HP be Modernized? (5.12), How are other US Enterprises handling this crucial HP Modernization Problem? (5.13), HP Modernization Needs in Asia (5.14), HP modernizing in Europe (5.15), HP Modernization in Canada (5.16), Global Hydropower Potential and Future Usage (5.17), Rapid Changes Coming for HP (5.18), Objectives of Standard Modular HP (5.19), Are Modular Systems the Future for Hydropower? (5.20), and finally Sustainable HP Projection (5.21).
