Water cycle: Overview
Sun, rain and gravity working together
What this tile covers The Sun evaporates water, rain refills rivers and lakes, and gravity brings it down again. Share of use 2.7% share of world energy supply (2024)Share of world total energy supply, 2024 (latest year where noted). Denominator is the Energy Institute Statistical Review 2025 total of 592.2 EJ (physical energy content method). Flows EI omits (traditional biomass via WBA, solar and geothermal heat, food energy) are set against the same 592.2 EJ, so shares sum to slightly more than 100%. Hydroelectricity 16.03 EJ of 592.2 EJ (calculated). Excludes tidal and wave power. Source: Statistical Review of World Energy 2025 (74th edition), Energy Institute.
Key facts
| Origin | Indirect solar |
| Renewable | Yes |
Included from the reference tables
- Large dams, run-of-river, micro-hydro
Linked to the material world
H₂O WaterAlso in Solar-derived flows
Sun SunlightWd WindWv Ocean wavesOc Ocean currentsOT Ocean thermal gradientSal Salinity gradientBm BiomassAmb Ambient heatMu Muscle powerExplore paths from here
More on this tile in the tabs above: how energy resides, abundance, fluctuation in time, across the earth, impact on nature.