A hydroelectric power plant harnesses the energy found in moving or still water and converts it into electricity. To see a close up view of how the generator of a water turbine works, see the Hydropower Basics page . Also controls the flow of water. Once it has gained kinetic energy this "movement" energy is used to hit the turbine and turn it to generate electrical energy. In both cases a power source is used to turn a propeller-like piece called a turbine, which then turns a metal shaft in an electric generator, which is the motor that produces electricity. Over two thousand years ago, people in Greece used flowing water to turn the wheel of their mill to ground wheat into flour. Firstly potential energy (due to the hight of the water in the resevoir) to kinetic energy (the energy from the water falling a distance). Most conventional hydroelectric plants include four major components (see graphic below): Dam. Parts of a Hydroelectric Plant. Flowing water creates energy that can be captured and turned into electricity. In other words several transformations are required to produce the electrical energy. So just how do we get electricity from water? The first hydroelectric power plant was built at Niagara Falls in 1879. Hydroelectric energy, also called hydroelectric power or hydroelectricity, is a form of energy that harnesses the power of water in motion—such as water flowing over a waterfall—to generate electricity.People have used this force for millennia. A hydroelectric facility is a special type of power plant that uses the energy of falling or flowing water to generate electricity.They do this by directing water over a series of turbines which convert the potential and kinetic energy of water into the rotational motion of the turbine. The potential energy of water held behind a dam is then transformed into mechanical energy (rotation) and the final transformation takes a place in a generator to electrical energy. A.The kinetic energy of water is converted by a generator into electric energy. B.The potential energy of water is converted by a transformer into electric energy. A good question. This process occurs in plants, bacteria and some protists, or algae to produce sugar as food. Once it has gained kinetic energy this "movement" energy is used to hit the turbine and turn it to generate electrical energy. Chemical energy to potential energy C. Chemical energy to Kinetic energy D. Kinetic energy to electrical energy F. Electrical energy to potential energy Turbine. In a hydroelectric power plant, the potential energy of water at higher level is converted to kinetic energy of the water by letting it flow at a faster rate. In the late 19th century, the force of falling water was used to generate electricity. Question: What transformation of energy occurs in a hydroelectric power plant?