An interesting new idea for water power involves storing the power from other renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines, when more power is generated than is needed at a particular time.
First, hydroelectricity was developed: electricity could be generated from water power.
The next great improvement in water power was in the 19th century, when the modern water turbine was invented.
Water power was also used as a way to tell time, by measuring how much water flowed into or out of a vessel.
These obnoxious mills alarmed the quiet world of water power and handwork, and their sheer physical impact was far more revolutionary than their products.
The file-makers used water-powered grindstones and the use of water power was only an option in one part of the town.