What is Hydroelectric power?
Hydroelectricity is a renewable energy source which harnesses the kinetic energy of falling or flowing water to produce electricity. Hydroelectric power can either be used for producing electric power or for irrigation purposes. Today, about 16% of total electricity produced globally comes from hydropower plants.
Hydropower is one of the oldest sources of energy production, and the technology used today has changed very little since it was first used in 1782 to power a mill. A large majority of hydroelectric power plants are built at dams due to their ability to provide a stable flow of water. However, there are also smaller hydroelectric power plants which are built in rivers, which are called ‘run-of-the river’ hydropower plants because they don’t have a large reservoir to store water. These types of power stations are more efficient – especially in countries that have high rainfall levels.
Pros:
Source of Green Energy: The first and most obvious advantage of hydropower plants is that they produce electricity which can be used as a source of energy. This makes them an eco-friendly option compared to other power sources such as coal or oil, because hydroelectricity does not emit any harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
Enjoy Electricity 24/7: Another pro is that it’s possible to enjoy electricity 24/7 because hydropower plants can work even when there is no sun or wind.
Ability to be Integrated With Other Clean Energy Sources: A common advantage of renewable energy sources like hydroelectric power is that they are not subject to the same limitations as other types of energy like coal or oil, which means that you can use them in tandem with other energy sources, such as
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A Source of Stability: Hydropower plants can help provide stability to the grid by generating electricity during periods where there is high demand for it, such as during the hot summer months when lots of people are running their air conditioners. The availability of this electricity source can also prevent the price of wholesale electricity from spiking during times where there is high demand.
Cons:
Effect on Environment and Wildlife: As with any other energy sources, hydropower plants do carry some environmental concerns which need to be addressed. If poorly constructed or located, hydropower plants can cause issues with the natural habitat of surrounding areas. For example, dams can block migrating fish from reaching their spawning ground or can cause flooding in other parts of the river system.
Generation Capacity Variance During The Day: One disadvantage is that it is not possible to guarantee a stable supply of electricity during periods where there are large variations in demand across the day. For example, electricity generation is usually low during the night and early hours of the morning, but this can cause issues if demand increases significantly during these periods because more energy would need to be produced within a short period of time.
Large Initial Investment: Hydropower plants are more expensive to build than other power sources such as coal or gas. This means that they require a large initial investment in order to be profitable.
Long Installation Time: On top of this, it can take a long time to build a hydropower plant which is one of the reasons why projects often experience delays in obtaining permits and approvals from government authorities. This makes it hard for energy companies to forecast when a project will be ready. This can cause problems if there is an urgent need for electricity in the area, because that extra time taken to build the plant may not be sufficient enough to meet these needs.
No Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Although hydropower plants do carry some environmental concerns, they are considered zero -emission sources of energy which means that they do not emit greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
The pros and cons of hydropower plants indicate why this type of power station is more beneficial than other types in certain countries. They are also great examples of how renewable energy sources can help to provide a more consistent supply of electricity while reducing our carbon footprint to protect the environment, as well as help to find
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