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Examining the Pros and Cons of Hydroelectric Energy

Hydroelectric power represents the largest share of renewable energy in the world and will likely remain the world’s primary source of renewable power in 2024, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) . As the next few years will be critical in limiting global warming and to drastically reduce the use of fossil fuels, this particular renewable will be important in our transition towards 100% clean and green energy. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of hydroelectric energy. 

What is Hydroelectric? 

Before we dive into the pros and cons of hydroelectric energy, it’s important to first understand what it is and how it works. Hydroelectric energy is generated by converting kinetic energy of the falling water through the rotation of turbines. Generators then convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy that is used by the public. The most common hydropower comes from water in dams, where water is released from reservoirs to drive the turbines. It can also utilise the natural running of a river or tide to generate electricity. The countries with the highest growth of hydropower generation are China and Brazil, with Turkey joining the ranks in recent years. 

You might also like: What the Future of Renewable Energy Looks Like

What Are the Advantages of Hydroelectric Energy? 

Hydroelectric energy offers the clear benefit of helping reduce our dependence on fossil fuel, therefore cutting down global greenhouse gas emissions, and ultimately aiding the global transition to 100% green and renewable energy. 

Since hydroelectric energy relies on water, a natural resource, it is inherently a clean and renewable source of energy. And because hydroelectric energy largely depends on the water cycle, hydropower generation is greater in regions with higher precipitation and rainfall, which occurs mostly in developing countries such as in China, South America and Africa. 

Compared to other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or solar energy , hydropower is least affected and reliant by the seasons and weather as it is capable of storing large amounts of water through its dam, creating essentially a water bank in which people can withdraw when the need arises. 

Another factor that makes hydroelectric more advantageous than other renewables is greater efficiency: it is by far the best-established means of electricity generation from renewable sources. According to the most recent figures, the global weighted average capacity factor of hydropower was at 47% . Therefore it comes to no surprise that hydroelectric power generation accounts for 17% of the world’s electricity, contributing the largest share of electricity from renewable sources. Indeed, as of 2020, hydropower generates more than all other renewable technologies combined. Additionally, hydropower plants can constrain the water flow through each turbine to vary output, which makes it more efficient and ‘wastes’ less river water. 

Hydropower plants offer flexibility and security for electricity systems . Many hydropower plants can ramp their electricity generation up and down very rapidly. At the same time, it can be stopped and restarted relatively easily to adjust to sudden shifts in demand or compensate for fluctuations in supply from other electricity sources.

Hydroelectric power generation also boasts a low carbon footprint. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), hydropower has a median greenhouse gas emission intensity of 24 gCO₂-eq/kWh over its life-cycle from natural emissions of freshwater reservoirs and from the construction of dam materials. In comparison, the median figure for gas is 490 gCO₂-eq/kWh.

As mentioned previously, thanks to their geographical locations and access to rivers, some countries have the advantage of building and generating more hydroelectric energy. This is the case for China, in which they contributed almost 60% of the new hydropower capacity in 2020 , largely due to seven large-scale projects that were commissioned. 

Hydropower projects also boost economic investments in developing countries, as seen with the“South to South Investment”, a growing phenomenon where developing countries support the technology and financial transfer of hydropower between each other. From 2004 to 2012, the trade in equipment and parts of hydropower increased from less than 10% to approximately 50% of total global trade.

Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Energy 

Despite it being the largest renewable source of electricity, hydropower does have its drawbacks. The most significant one of which is its damage to the surrounding environment and ecosystem.  Most hydroelectric power plants require the construction of a dam, which would result in the destruction and fragmentation of the surrounding habitats . For example, the construction of water dams may affect the migration and movement of aquatic organisms, hinder their reproduction, and in some extreme cases, some species may become extinct . Additionally, as most hydroelectric projects are physically large in size, it could often lead to the flooding of massive areas within a river valley

As the effects of climate change continue to become more erratic, some regions are experiencing less precipitation while others are expecting far more rainfall and extreme weather conditions. Changing or even unstable water cycles in turn impacts power plants’ ability to generate power and electricity. 

For instance, the recent historic low water levels in Lake Powell, an important water body in the US and a major reservoir on the Colorado River, has threatened the water availability for the 40 million people and dozens of communities that depend on the River for drinking water. It has also raised concerns about the impending risk to the Glen Canyon Dam and in meeting the future demand for hydroelectric power should critical low water levels from rising temperatures and worsening droughts become more frequent. In other words, while hydropower is less affected by day-to-day weather, it is certainly impacted by climate change. 

Rising investment due to limited remaining economical sites and extra expenditures in addressing social and environmental impacts is making hydropower less popular, therefore a declining overall growth across the world. 

Disputes over water rights have also hindered and complicated the development of new dams slower in recent years. For example, Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have been unable to resolve a dispute over water rights amid the development of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in Addis Ababa on the Blue Nile river. The dam, which is set to become Africa’s largest hydroelectric power plant, could generate 6 000 megawatts of electricity to tens of millions of Ethiopians. But there have been growing concerns over the water flow of the Nile with the dam, particularly during times of drought. Ongoing negotiations cover issues include the volume of water and time needed to complete the fill of the dam. 

Likewise, the hydropower dams in China has restricted water flows into the Mekong River , which is one of the world’s most important water bodies that also flows across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, and supports 60 million people’s livelihoods and food. Yet a study has found that the dams have held back large amounts of water during a damaging drought in downstream countries in 2019 despite China experiencing higher-than-average water levels upstream. 

Adding to the downstream woes were sudden releases of water from China, which often came unannounced and drowned crops that had been planted near the banks because of the drought. Local fisheries have complained that their catches have faced a very steep decline, while agriculture harvests are stagnant as a result of the persistent droughts and unpredictable floods. 

Should We Still Invest in Hydroelectric Energy? 

There are a multitude of pros and cons of hydroelectric energy, but the short answer is yes. And in fact, according to Fatih Birol , the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, “hydropower is the forgotten giant of clean electricity, and it needs to be put squarely back on the energy and climate agenda if countries are serious about meeting their net zero goals.”

The advantages of hydroelectric power and its role as a non-greenhouse gas emitting energy source cannot be stressed enough, as the latest and most damning IPCC report warns that “unless there are immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors,” our chance to limit global warming to 1.5C is beyond reach. We must halve greenhouse gas emission from 2019 levels by 2030, and hydro power plants are one important tool to aid the transition. 

In the wake of the global energy security crisis amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, hydroelectric energy can also comfortably ramp up and down generation to compensate for other energy fluctuations as mentioned above, potentially stabilising energy costs.

But first, far stronger policy measures are required around the world to streamline permitting and ensure project sustainability of hydropower projects, as well as reduce investment risks. Globally, around half of hydropower’s economically viable potential is untapped, and with the advancement of knowledge and technology, the negative impact of constructing these hydroelectric plants – be it on marine biodiversity or human’s access to water –  can possibly be reduced or minimised. 

Aside from the pros and cons of hydroelectric energy, you might also like: The Future of Hydroelectric Power: A Regional Analysis

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Hydroelectric Energy: The Power of Running Water

Hydroelectric energy is power made by moving water. “Hydro” comes from the Greek word for water.

Engineering, Geography, Social Studies, World History

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Hydroelectric energy is made by moving water. Hydro comes from the Greek word for water. Hydroelectric energy has been in use for thousands of years. Ancient Romans built turbines , which are wheels turned by flowing water. Roman turbines were not used for electricity , but for grinding grains to make flour and breads. Water mills provide another source of hydroelectric energy. Water mills, which were common until the Industrial Revolution , are large wheels usually located on the banks of moderately flowing rivers . Water mills generate energy that powers such diverse activities as grinding grain, cutting lumber , or creating hot fires to create steel . The first U.S. hydroelectric power plant was built on the Fox River in 1882 in Appleton, Wisconsin. This plant powered two paper mills and one home. Harnessing Hydroelectricity To harness energy from flowing water, the water must be controlled. A large reservoir is created, usually by damming a river to create an artificial lake, or reservoir. Water is channeled through tunnels in the dam. The energy of water flowing through the dam's tunnels causes turbines to turn. The turbines make generators move. Generators are machines that produce electricity. Engineers control the amount of water let through the dam. The process used to control this flow of water is called the intake system . When a lot of energy is needed, most of the tunnels to the turbines are open, and millions of gallons of water flow through them. When less energy is needed, engineers slow down the intake system by closing some of the tunnels. During floods , the intake system is helped by a spillway . A spillway is a structure that allows water to flow directly into the river or other body of water below the dam, bypassing all tunnels, turbines, and generators. Spillways prevent the dam and the community from being damaged. Spillways, which look like long ramps, are empty and dry most of the time. From Water Currents to Electrical Currents Large, fast-flowing rivers produce the most hydroelectricity. The Columbia River, which forms part of the border between the U.S. states of Washington and Oregon, is a big river that produces massive amounts of hydroelectric energy. The Bonneville Dam , one of many dams on the Columbia River, has 20 turbines and generates more than a million watts of power every year. Thats enough energy to power hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses. Hydroelectric power plants near waterfalls can create huge amounts of energy, too. Water crashing over the fall line is full of energy. A famous example of this is the hydroelectric plant at Niagara Falls, which spans the border between the United States and Canada. Hydroelectric energy generated by Niagara Falls is split between the U.S. state of New York and the Canadian province of Ontario. Engineers at Niagara Falls cannot turn the falls off, but they can severely limit the intake and control the amount of water rushing over the waterfall. The largest hydroelectric power plant in the world is the enormous Three Gorges Dam , which spans the Yangtze River in China. It is 185 meters (607 feet) tall and 115 meters (377 feet) thick at its base. It has 32 turbines and is able to generate more than two billion watts of power. Hydroelectric Energy and the Environment Hydroelectricity relies on water, which is a clean, renewable energy source. A renewable source of energy is one that will not run out. Renewable energy comes from natural sources, like wind , sunlight , rain, tides , and geothermal energy (the heat produced inside Earth). Nonrenewable energy sources include coal , oil , and natural gas . Water is renewable because the water cycle is continually recycling itself. Water evaporates , forms clouds , and then rains down on Earth, starting the cycle again.

Reservoirs created by dams can provide large, safe recreational space for a community. Boaters and water skiers can enjoy the lake. Many reservoirs are also stocked with fish. The area around a reservoir is often a protected natural space, allowing campers and hikers to enjoy the natural environment. Using water as a source of energy is generally a safe environmental choice. Its not perfect, though. Hydroelectric power plants require a dam and a reservoir. These artificial structures may be obstacles for fish trying to swim upstream . Some dams, including the Bonneville Dam, have installed fish ladders to help fish migrate . Fish ladders are a series of wide steps built on the side of the river and dam. The ladder allows fish to slowly swim upstream instead of being totally blocked by the dam. Dams flood river banks, destroying wetland habitat for thousands of organisms . Aquatic birds such as cranes and ducks are often at risk, as well as plants that depend on the marshy habitat of a riverbank. Operating the power plant may also raise the temperature of the water in the reservoir. Plants and animals near the dam have to adjust to this change or migrate elsewhere. The O'Shaughnessy Dam on the Tuolumne River in the U.S. state of California was one of the first hydroelectric energy projects to draw widespread criticism for its impact on the environment. The dam, constructed in 1913, flooded a region called Hetch Hetchy Valley, part of Yosemite National Park. (The lake created by the O'Shaughnessy Dam is called the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.) Environmental coalitions opposed the dam, citing the destruction of the environment and the habitats it provided. However, the power plant provided affordable hydroelectric energy to the booming urban area around San Francisco. The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is still a controversial project. Many people believe the O'Shaughnessy Dam should be destroyed and the valley returned to its native habitat. Others contend that destroying a source of energy for such a major urban area would reduce the quality of life for residents of the Bay Area . There are limits to the amount of hydroelectric energy a dam can provide. The most limiting factor is silt that builds up on the reservoir's bed. This silt is carried by the flowing river, but prevented from reaching its normal destination in a delta or river mouth by the dam. Hundreds of meters of silt build up on the bottom of the reservoir, reducing the amount of water in the facility. Less water means less powerful energy to flow through the systems turbines. Most dams must spend a considerable amount of money to avoid silt build-up, a process called siltation . Some power plants can only provide electricity for 20 or 30 years because of siltation. Hydroelectric Energy and People Billions of people depend on hydroelectricity every day. It powers homes, offices, factories, hospitals, and schools. Hydroelectric energy is usually one of the first methods a country uses to bring affordable electricity to rural areas . Hydroelectricity helps improve the hygiene , education, and employment opportunities available to a community. China and India, for instance, have built dozens of dams recently, as they have quickly industrialized. The United States depended on hydroelectric energy to bring electricity to many rural or poor areas. Most of this construction took place during the 1930s. Dams were a huge part of the New Deal , a series of government programs that put people to work and brought electricity to millions of its citizens during the Great Depression . The Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, the Shasta Dam on the Sacramento River, and the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River are some dams constructed as part of the New Deal. The most famous hydroelectric power project of the New Deal is probably the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) . The TVA constructed a series of dams along the Tennessee River and its tributaries. Today, the TVA is the largest public power company in the U.S., providing affordable electricity for residents in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. However, hydroelectricity often comes at a human cost. The huge dams required for hydroelectric energy projects create reservoirs that flood entire valleys. Homes, communities, and towns may be relocated as dam construction begins. Egypt began construction of the Aswan Dam complex on the Nile River in 1960. Engineers realized that ancient temples of Abu Simbel were going to be flooded by the reservoir, called Lake Nasser. These monuments were built directly into cliffs several stories tall. The Abu Simbel temples are a part of Egypt's cultural heritage and a major tourist destination. Rather than have the monuments flooded, the government of Egypt relocated the entire mountainside to an artificial hill nearby. Today, Abu Simbel sits above the Aswan Dam. China's massive Three Gorges Dam project brings safe, affordable electricity to millions of people. It allows hospitals, schools, and factories to work longer, more reliable hours. It also allows people to maintain healthier lifestyles by providing clean water. Construction of the dam directly benefited workers, too. More than a quarter of a million people have found work with the project. However, the project has forced more than a million people to relocate. Lifestyles were disrupted. Many families were relocated from rural towns on the banks of the Yangtze River to Chongqing, a major urban area with 31 million residents. Other people were relocated out of the province entirely.

Hoover Dam The Hoover Dam was built during the Great Depression, a period when most people had little money and jobs were very scarce. Building the dam seemed like an impossible task. Many people said it could not be built. Workers labored long, hard days for two years, building tunnels that are 15 meters (50 feet) wide, big enough to fit a commercial airplane without its wings. The Hoover Dam is 221 meters (726 feet) tall, 52 meters (171 feet) taller than the Washington Monument in the U.S. capital of Washington, D.C. Building the dam gave hope and dignity to many victims of the Great Depression. It gave people a job and a way to earn money. The Hoover Dam is still in use, providing power to 1.7 million people in Arizona, California, and Nevada. It is often considered an engineering milestone and is named for Herbert Hoover, the U.S. president who helped make the project happen.

Hydroelectric Nations Hydroelectric power provides almost all the energy for some nations. Norway, Brazil, and the Democratic Republic of Congo all get more than 90 percent of their electricity from hydroelectric power plants. Plans for a new hydroelectric plant in the Democratic Republic of Congo may link homes and businesses in Europe with the African power supply.

Washington's Energy The state of Washington is the largest consumer of hydroelectric power in the United States. The state used almost 58 million watts of hydroelectricity in 2009, more than double the next-largest state consumer, Oregon.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Energy

While hydroelectric energy provides the world with clean energy, there are some problems with it. Today, we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of hydropower.

What is Hydroelectric energy?

Hydroelectric energy is the most commonly used renewable energy source in the world. According to the 2019 Hydropower Status Report, hydroelectricity gave us a whopping 21.8 GW of energy and grew by 9% over the year.

Advantages of Hydroelectric Energy

1. renewable.

Hydropower is completely renewable, which means it will never run out unless the water stops flowing. As a result,  hydro plants are built to last. In some cases, equipment that was built to last 25 years is still operational after double the amount of time has passed .

2. Emission Free

The creation of hydroelectricity does not release emissions into the atmosphere. This is, of course, the biggest appeal of any renewable energy source.

3. Reliable

Hydropower is, by far, the most reliable renewable energy available in the world. Unlike when the sun goes down or when the wind dies down, water usually has a constant and steady flow 24/7.

4. Adjustable

Since hydropower is so reliable, hydro plants can actually adjust the flow of water. This allows the plant to produce more energy when it is required or reduce the energy output when it is not needed. This is something that no other renewable energy source can do.

5. Create Lakes

Lakes can be used for recreational purposes and can even help draw in tourists. Look no further than Lake Mead. It was created as a result of the Hoover dam and brought in over 7.5 million visitors in 2018 . This can give nearby towns a huge boost economically.

6. Faster Developed Land

Since hydro dams can only be built in specific locations, they can help develop the land for nearby towns and cities. This is because it takes a lot of equipment to build a dam. To transport it, highways and roads must be built, which helps open new paths for rural towns.

Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Energy

1. impact on fish.

To create a hydro plant, a running water source must be dammed. This prevents fish from reaching their breeding ground, which in turn affects any animal that relies on those fish for food.

As the water stops flowing, riverside habitats begin to disappear. This can even remove animals from accessing water.

2. Limited Plant Locations

While hydropower is renewable, there are limited places in the world that are suitable for plant construction. On top of this, some of these places are not close to major cities that could fully benefit from the energy.

3. Higher initial Costs

While no power plant is easy to build, hydro plants do require you to build a dam to stop running water. As a result, they cost more than similarly sized fossil fuel plants.

Although, they will not need to worry about purchasing fuel later on. So it does even out over the long-term.

4. Carbon and Methane Emissions

While the actual electricity generation in the plant does not produce emissions, there are emissions from the reservoirs they create. Plants that are at the bottom of a reservoir begin to decompose. And when plants die, they release large quantities of carbon and methane .

5. Susceptible to Droughts

While Hydropower is the most reliable renewable energy available, it is dependent on the amount of water in any given location. Thus, the performance of a hydro plant could be significantly affected by a drought. And as climate change continues to heat up or planet, this could become more common .

6. Flood Risk

When dams are built at higher elevations, they pose a serious risk to any town nearby that is below it. While these dams are built very strong, there are still risks. The biggest dam failure in history is the Banqiao Dam failure . Due to excess rainfall from a typhoon, the dam collapsed. This resulted in the deaths of 171,000 people.

Hydro Is Still Growing

Hydro has been steadily growing as the world begins to ditch its reliance on fossil fuels for energy. It’s worth noting that there are many pros and cons of hydroelectric energy.

However, when you compare it to the threat of climate change, it is undoubtedly better than any fossil fuel plant. And with over 8,700 new hydro plants being planned in Europe, it is more important than ever to understand the negatives.

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19 thoughts on “advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric energy”.

Thank you??

Thank you sir, it helps a lot in my earth science subject. ??

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This hydroelectric, is it the same as dam?

It depends. Some dams produce hydroelectricity, but not all dams. There are dams that serve the purpose of merely creating a reservoir as a water supply.

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Home — Essay Samples — Science — Technology & Engineering — Hydroelectric Power

Essays on Hydroelectric Power

Hydroelectric power is a renewable energy source that is generated by harnessing the power of flowing water. It is a clean and reliable source of energy that has been used for centuries to power various machines and devices. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in hydroelectric power as a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. This essay will discuss the benefits of hydroelectric power and explore various topics related to this important energy source.

One of the most compelling reasons to consider hydroelectric power as an essay topic is its environmental impact. Unlike fossil fuels, which release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, hydroelectric power is a clean and sustainable source of energy. By using the natural power of flowing water, hydroelectric power plants can generate electricity without producing harmful emissions. This makes hydroelectric power an attractive option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.

Another important aspect of hydroelectric power is its reliability and consistency. Unlike solar or wind power, which are dependent on weather conditions, hydroelectric power can be generated consistently throughout the year. This makes it a reliable source of energy that can help meet the growing demand for electricity. In addition, hydroelectric power plants can be designed to store water in reservoirs, allowing for greater control over energy production and distribution.

The construction of hydroelectric power plants can also have a significant impact on local ecosystems and communities. Large-scale hydroelectric projects can alter the natural flow of rivers and disrupt the habitats of various plant and animal species. This can lead to environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity. On the other hand, small-scale hydroelectric projects can be designed to minimize their impact on the environment and provide sustainable energy solutions for local communities.

Hydroelectric power also has the potential to provide economic benefits to countries and regions that invest in this energy source. The construction and operation of hydroelectric power plants can create jobs and stimulate economic growth in areas that may be struggling with high unemployment rates. In addition, the generation of hydroelectric power can reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, saving money and improving energy security.

There are also important debates surrounding the social and cultural impacts of hydroelectric power. The construction of large-scale hydroelectric projects can lead to the displacement of local communities and the loss of cultural heritage sites. This has led to conflicts and protests in many parts of the world, as communities seek to protect their land and way of life. On the other hand, hydroelectric power can also bring new opportunities for economic development and improved living standards for local communities.

One important topic to consider when writing an essay on hydroelectric power is the potential for technological advancements and innovations in this field. New technologies and engineering designs are constantly being developed to improve the efficiency and environmental performance of hydroelectric power plants. These innovations can help to make hydroelectric power an even more attractive and viable option for meeting the world's energy needs.

Another important aspect to consider is the role of government policies and regulations in promoting the development of hydroelectric power. Many countries have adopted incentives and subsidies to encourage investment in renewable energy sources, including hydroelectric power. These policies can have a significant impact on the growth of the hydroelectric power industry and the adoption of this important energy source.

The choice of hydroelectric power as an essay topic offers a wide range of interesting and important issues to explore. From its environmental and economic benefits to its social and cultural impacts, hydroelectric power is a complex and multifaceted topic that can provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to a more sustainable energy future. By examining these topics in depth, students can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of energy policy and the potential of hydroelectric power to contribute to a more sustainable and secure future.

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While hydropower is clean and renewable, there are unique environmental side effects to the technology. The environmental impact of hydroelectric generation is complicated and necessitates examining the lifecycle of a hydropower plant. As new and improved hydropower technologies continue to be developed, hydroelectricity has the chance to become an even cleaner source of power.

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Hydropower is a clean source of electricity

First and foremost, hydropower is a source of clean and renewable electricity. No fossil fuels need to be burned to generate hydroelectricity, and the water cycle is constantly running naturally, meaning we won't run out of hydropower. Hydroelectric generation isn't limitless, however, as there is a finite amount of water on Earth available to be harnessed (especially considering how many rivers have already been dammed).

The negative environmental consequences of hydropower

Hydroelectricity is technically a "clean" energy source, but there are environmental ramifications of harnessing it for large amounts of power. Here are a few of the consequences that come with developing hydropower systems:

Damage to wildlife habitats and migratory paths

Constructing large storage or pumped storage hydropower plants involves blocking, diverting, or changing the natural course of river systems. 

One issue that arises with blocking a river's natural flow is the simultaneous blocking of important migration routes for fish. Many species of fish depend on inland rivers for reproduction; by blocking a river's flow with dams, fish cannot reach their breeding grounds. Over time, dammed rivers lead to drastically reduced fish populations, which has negative implications for the health of river ecosystems as well as for human food stocks. Some hydropower facilities use fish ladders to help fish populations traverse dammed rivers, but these devices are rarely large enough to support massive migrations.

Additionally, damming rivers also often reduces water and sediment flow to dangerous levels, which impacts downstream wildlife populations. Low water flow downstream, as well as low nutrient flow, can lead to loss of habitat and healthy water for animals.

On a similar note, many large hydropower facilities alter the surrounding landscape, especially around reservoirs created by damming rivers. Just as reducing downstream water flow can cause habitat loss, creating reservoirs to generate electricity in storage and pumped storage hydropower systems often cause upstream flooding that destroys wildlife habitats, scenic areas, and prime farming land. In some instances, this flooding can even force human populations to relocate.

Greenhouse gas emissions from reservoirs

While generating power by spinning turbines with water doesn't directly use any fossil fuels or emit greenhouse gases, several recent studies have shown that reservoirs created by damming rivers contribute significantly to atmospheric greenhouse gases. This is because organic material trapped in the reservoirs, such as dead plants, breaks down and releases gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the reservoir water.

Making hydropower more environmentally friendly

Fortunately, there are ways to improve hydropower systems to be more environmentally friendly. One such strategy is to better plan land use around river basins upstream of dams. By protecting the natural environment in a river's watershed, erosion can be better contained, which can help lessen greenhouse gas pollution into the air from reservoirs, as there will be less decaying organic material in the water.

Progress is also being made to reduce hydropower's impact on fish habitats and migrations. Some hydroelectric facilities use trap-and-haul programs to collect fish, transport them past a dam, and release them. The Department of Energy (DOE) has recently even sponsored research and development of "salmon cannons," which launch migrating fish over a dam. A more sustainable long-term solution for many locations is more careful planning of dam placement so that the most important migration paths aren't disturbed. In some cases, removing old dams and letting the river flow return closer to its natural state leads to habitat restoration for fish species.

Additionally, newer ways to harness power from water continue to be developed, such as tidal power and wave energy, which tend to have a smaller environmental footprint than traditional storage hydropower systems.

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• Hydroelectric Energy Advantages And Disadvantages

Hydroelectric Energy Advantages and Disadvantages

Even though hydroelectric energy provides the world with clean energy, there are still a few issues with it. In this article, we will analyse the benefits and drawbacks of hydropower.

What is Hydroelectric Energy?

Hydroelectric energy is the most widely used renewable power source on the planet. Hydroelectric energy means the production of electricity using hydropower as a power source. As per the hydropower status report of 2019, the hydroelectricity gave us an incredible 21.8 GW of energy and developed by 9% throughout the year. Hydroelectric energy is a traditional source of energy in which the kinetic energy of water flowing at high speed and the potential energy of the same water, which is made to run on the spillway of a dam, are used to generate electricity.

How is Hydroelectric Power Produced?

Hydropower plants make energy by utilising the power of water to turn turbines. A Hydropower plant works in the same way as a coal fuel plant. For instance, when coal is burnt in a coal plant, the steam that is produced powers turbines that generate electricity. With hydropower, the energy source that creates power is water.

In order to produce hydroelectric energy, high-rise dams are constructed on a river to obstruct the flow of water. Further, this water collected in the reservoir is used to generate kinetic and potential energy, which eventually generates hydroelectric energy.

Read More: Hydroelectricity Generation

Advantages of Hydroelectric Energy

1. Electricity can be produced at a constant rate once the dam is constructed

2. The gates of the dam can be shut down if electricity is not needed, which stops electricity generation. Hence by doing this, we can save water for further use in future when the demand for electricity is high.

3. One of the biggest advantages of hydroelectric power plants is that they are designed to last many decades, and so they can contribute to the generation of electricity for years.

4. Large dams often become tourist attractions because the lake that forms in the reservoir area behind the dam can be used for leisure or water sports.

5. The water from the lake of the dam can be used for irrigation purposes in farming.

6. Since the water is released to produce electricity, the build-up of water in the dam is stored to produce extra energy until needed.

7. Hydroelectric energy generation does not pollute the atmosphere because the hydroelectric power plant does not produce greenhouse gases.

8. Hydropower plants can be considered a reliable energy generation source. Since hydropower totally depends on water present on this planet, this energy source will remain inexhaustible because of the water cycle as it continuously keeps on maintaining balance on the Earth.

Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Energy

1. It is not an easy task to assemble a hydropower plant because the dams are extremely expensive to build, and they require extremely high standards and calculations for their construction.

2. It becomes important that the hydropower plant must serve for many decades because of its high cost of construction, and this totally depends on the availability of water resources.

3. If flooding happens due to natural calamities or the failure of dams, it would impact a large area of land, which means that the natural environment can be destroyed.

4. People are forcibly removed from the particular area where a hydropower plant is going to be assembled. This affects the day-to-day life of people living in that area.

5. A serious geological damage can be caused due to the construction of large dams.

6. To construct a hydro plant, it is important to block the running water source due to which the fishes can’t arrive at their favourable place, and as the water stops streaming, the areas along the riverside start to vanish out which eventually influences the life of creatures that depend on fish for food.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is hydroelectric energy.

Hydroelectric energy is the most widely utilised sustainable power source on the planet. Basically, hydroelectric energy means the production of electricity using hydropower as a power source.

Give some examples of non-renewable energy sources.

Coal, uranium, wood, petroleum products.

GIve some examples of renewable energy sources.

Sun, wind, water.

How many sources of energy are there?

Basically, there are two sources of energy:

• Renewable Energy
• Non-renewable Energy

What are the major sources of energy in India?

Coal, oil, and natural gas are the main source of energy in India.

Stay tuned to BYJU’S for more such interesting and informative, and engaging articles. Physics-related videos and unlimited academic assistance.

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