Wasserrädern

Wasserräder, also known as water wheels, are mechanical devices that harness the energy of flowing or falling water to perform work. They are one of the oldest forms of renewable energy technology. The basic principle involves a wheel with paddles or buckets that are driven by the force of water. This rotation then powers machinery, such as mills for grinding grain, sawmills, or for lifting water.

There are several main types of water wheels, categorized by how the water interacts with them. Undershot wheels are the simplest, where the water flows beneath the wheel and pushes against paddles. Overshot wheels, in contrast, are fed water at the top, with the weight of the water in the buckets providing the driving force. Breastshot wheels receive water at a point midway up the wheel. Each type has advantages depending on the available water flow and head (the vertical distance the water falls).

Historically, water wheels were crucial for industrial development, particularly before the widespread adoption of steam power and later electricity. They powered early factories, mines, and agricultural processes. While their direct use has declined in many industrialized nations due to more efficient technologies, the principles behind water wheels are still fundamental to modern hydroelectric power generation, which uses turbines to extract energy from water. Nonetheless, traditional water wheels can still be found in operation in some rural areas and as historical or educational exhibits.