One renewable energy source that utilizes the force of water to produce electricity is hydroelectricity.
Dams, reservoirs, and huge bodies of water are examples of large-scale applications for hydroelectric power. A major benefit is that it is a low-emission, safe energy alternative.
Get A Free Solar QuoteHowever, it takes a lot of time and money, as well as hydroelectric power, pros and cons. Are the risks greater than the benefits? Learn more below.
What is hydroelectric power?
Hydroelectric energy is a type of renewable energy that derives its power using the kinetic motion of flowing water to produce electricity. To use this form of energy, a dam or any other type of device is constructed in order to convey water to turbines so they may be turned and produce electrical power. Although hydroelectric energy is undoubtedly an abundant supply of usable energy, it has pros and cons. Explore some of the pros and cons of hydroelectric power.
Pros And Cons Of Hydroelectric Energy
For many decades, hydropower has been a trustworthy, fossil fuel-free source of energy in the USA.
Although it has some negative effects on the natural world, it is a great renewable energy source because water is usually relatively abundant. Although the power source itself emits no carbon dioxide, dam construction along a river may have an impact on the local fish population.
Since water can be relied upon around the clock, unlike solar or wind, the benefits of hydropower generally exceed the drawbacks.
How Hydroelectric Energy Works.
Using the force of water to power turbines, hydropower plants generate electricity. They operate similarly to a coal-fired power plant.
For example, the steam generated during the burning of coal in a coal plant drives turbines, which in turn produce electricity. Water is the energy source that produces power in hydropower.
These are the large dams that store water in reservoirs and generate electricity from falling water. The reservoir stores this water; when power is required, the water is released so that the turbines produce electricity.
Pros Of Hydroelectric Energy:
1. Renewable.
As hydroelectric power is produced by water, it is a naturally renewable resource, and it is classified as a renewable energy source.
Because water is the energy source of the hydropower plant, no pollution is released during the power generation process. Hydropower, therefore, is renewable since it does not emit carbon dioxide and has naturally replenishing water in its cycle.
2. Reduced emissions.
The process does not yield carbon dioxide emissions as in hydroelectric power generation (the latter being one of the main culprits in global warming).
What makes hydropower especially clean is that after they are built, hydro plants offer no pollution of any kind into the atmosphere—unlike quite a few electric power generating facilities, which give off smog-producing smoke filled with waste products for which owners see no economic incentive to dispose properly.
3. Reliable
One of the most dependable sources of clean energy is hydroelectricity.
When choosing whether to build a power station on an active river or with a dam to control water flow, attention is given to the usually extremely predictable water flow.
It is also feasible to modify the electrical output. Water can be kept away from the turbines, and less energy will be generated if the demand for energy is low. In contrast, more water can enter the plant to produce electricity if more energy is required.
4. Secure
In general, hydropower is a strongly safe way of producing electricity.
Since water is the only fuel required to power a hydropower plant, there is no risk of oil spills or gas pipelines breaking, and no toxic pollution is released during energy creation.
Hydroelectric Energy's Drawbacks Include:
1. Impacts on the environment
Because a previously dry land area will be flooded with water to be used as a reservoir when a hydropower plant is built with a dam, like the well-known Hoover Dam in Nevada, it can be challenging. It also means that any environment that was there will be destroyed. Additionally, the river's natural flow will be impacted.
A non-natural water flow creates problems ranging from affecting fish migration patterns to decreasing the amount of silt that reaches the river's terminus, which is an organic way of sustaining and setting up land. In addition, many rivers pass through several nations; if they are dammed, upstream nations may take more water than is acceptable and leave less for downstream nations.
To ensure that hydropower plants may be as environmentally benign as possible, any possible environmental consequences should be thoroughly addressed before choosing locations.
2. Expensive To Construct
The construction of any kind of power plant is expensive in nature. Hydroelectric power facilities, which are often between 10-30MW in size and going up for about tens of millions each to construct--can cost up to $580 per kilowatt!
This implies that an entire hydropower plant construction could require tens or even hundreds of millions upfront. Hydropower, for example, is a more difficult renewable project to finance than solar panels, which are decreasing in price.
3. The Possibility Of Drought
If there is a drought and inadequate water is flowing through the plant, the capacity to generate power may be greatly reduced.
The good news is that most droughts only cause a slight delay in the production of power because they are a brief interruption to the regular water cycle.
4. Restricted reservoirs
Finding a location that is close enough to current power lines, has a large year-round water supply, and has the perfect amount of water is challenging. That is wise; however, balancing damming many streams for electricity power generation with maintaining sufficient river water in its original state, that is, without dams, is also another difficult balancing act.
Also, another major renewable energy source lying on hydropower relies on minor pollution and a high-reliability economy providing electricity. In fact, it is the prime component of sustainable energy as opposed to solar and wind energy, which cannot provide power around the clock. It is not without difficulties, though; some of the pros and cons are the impact on the environment, the high price of buildings, and the vulnerability to droughts.
Get A Free Solar QuoteConsidering these challenges, hydropower remains to be a vital component of the global transition to cleaner energy when planned correctly. Its long-term place in the energy landscape will depend on attempts to reduce its environmental impact and increase efficiency as technology develops.