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The energy supplied by flowing water has been used by humans since shortly before the start of the Christian era: the [[Wikipedia:Water_wheel| waterwheel]], the [[Wikipedia:Watermill|geared water mill]], and the [[Wikipedia:Watermill#History|Vitruvian mill]] received increased use as civilization developed in the Mediterranean region.

The energy supplied by flowing water has been used by humans since shortly before the start of the Christian [[era]]: the [[Wikipedia:Water_wheel| waterwheel]], the [[Wikipedia:Watermill|geared water mill]], and the [[Wikipedia:Watermill#History|Vitruvian mill]] received increased use as civilization developed in the Mediterranean region.

[[file:Uglich hydroelectric power plant, 2010.jpg|thumb|400px|Uglich hydroelectric power plant, Russia. Courtesy [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Uglich_hydroelectric_power_plant,_2010.jpg Wikimedia Commons].]]

[[file:Uglich hydroelectric power plant, 2010.jpg|thumb|400px|Uglich hydroelectric power plant, Russia. Courtesy [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Uglich_hydroelectric_power_plant,_2010.jpg Wikimedia Commons].]]

During the [http://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages Middle Ages], the use of the geared water mill extended throughout Western Europe, where it was used to grind grain, to saw wood and marble, and to crush metallic ores. Water mills became the base for the beginning of industrial development. Flowing water as a source of energy extended to many other regions of the world in subsequent years.

During the [http://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages Middle Ages], the use of the geared water mill extended throughout Western Europe, where it was used to grind grain, to saw wood and marble, and to crush metallic ores. Water mills became the base for the beginning of industrial development. Flowing water as a source of energy extended to many other regions of the world in subsequent years.

[[file:St54Figure46.JPG|thumb|400px|{{figure number|1}}World hydroelectric power generation and percent of the world's total electricity generation.<ref name+Salvador_2005>Salvador, Amos, Energy-A Historical Perspective and 21st Century Forecast: AAPG Studies in Geology 54, 208 p.</ref>]]

[[file:St54Figure46.JPG|thumb|400px|{{figure number|1}}World hydroelectric power generation and percent of the world's total electricity generation.<ref name+Salvador_2005>Salvador, A., Energy-A Historical Perspective and 21st Century Forecast: AAPG Studies in Geology 54, 208 p.</ref>]]

However, it was not until the flow of water was used in the generation of electricity that water started to make a major contribution to the world's supply of energy. Hydroelectric power is, as of 2005, the second largest source of electricity in the world (18%) after [[coal]], which supplies about 38%, but ahead of [[nuclear power]], [[natural gas]], and [[oil as an energy source|oil]], which contribute 17, 16, and 10%, respectively, of the total generated electricity.

However, it was not until the flow of water was used in the generation of electricity that water started to make a major contribution to the world's supply of energy. Hydroelectric power is, as of 2005, the second largest source of electricity in the world (18%) after [[coal]], which supplies about 38%, but ahead of [[nuclear power]], [[natural gas]], and [[oil as an energy source|oil]], which contribute 17, 16, and 10%, respectively, of the total generated electricity.