Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Hydroelectric power simply means generation of power from falling or streaming water. To produce
power, dams are constructed on rivers. The constant running flow of water is then used to move the
turbines. The rotating turbines then use the kinetic energy of moving water which in turn causes the
magnets inside the generator to rotate and generate electricity. The water then exits the turbine and
is returned to the stream below the dam. Moving water is therefore powerful source of energy that
can lighten cities, towns and even countries.
Although producing of energy through hydropower does not emit any greenhouse gases but building
of huge dams on the rivers and blocking them can have serious environmental and social effects in
the form of altering the normal flow of river, blocking of migratory fish passage, sudden occurrence of
floods, increase in number of earthquakes and displacing of local communities.
Hydroelectric power has been in the headlines lately, because a lot of companies are starting to see
the potential that comes with the use of water to make power. That being said, there are some pros
and cons that you want to consider when youre looking at hydroelectric power and how it can
impact the world. In this article, were going to explore both the pros and the cons so you can have a
better idea of what is being discussed in regards to hydroelectric power.
implies that we cant use it up and we dont have to worry about it becoming more expensive
because of scarcity. On the other hand, there are just a few suitable repositories where hydroelectric
power plants could be built and fewer places where such undertakings are beneficial.
2. Clean Energy Source: As you may expect, hydroelectric power is one of the green and
clean alternative energy sources that are out there. Creating power with hydroelectric energy is not
contaminating itself. The energy produced by hydroelectric plants do not produce any toxic or
greenhouse gases that pollutes the atmosphere. The main contamination happens when the power
plants are being built.
3. Reliable and Stable: Hydroelectric power is exceptionally dependable energy. There are
next to no issues as far as the electric power that is constantly by the plants, unless an alternate
source is required. Nations that have huge assets of hydropower use hydroelectric power as a base
energy source.
4. Low Operating Cost: Hydroelectric power plants have low operating and maintenance cost
and require few replacements as there are few parts in it. These dams are built with long term vision
and are therefore capable of producing electricity for many years.
5. Demand Matching: As we talked about above, altering water streams and getting power
from the water is simple. Hydroelectric power is not that difficult to get going. In areas where power
utilization is low, the water steam is lowered and the backup energy is stored until it is needed.
6. Recreational Opportunities: The lake that form behind the dam can be used for
recreational opportunities, offering activities such as fishing, boating and swimming. The lakes water
can also be used for irrigation purposes. Apart from this, large dams become hot spot for tourist
attractions.
7. Safer: Last but not least, hydroelectric power is one of the safest types of power that is out
there. Contrasted with other fossil powers and nuclear energy, hydroelectric power is much safer.
There is no fuel included (other than water that is).
the dam. Apart from this, these people are forcibly moved out so that construction of these dams can
continue.
5. Low Water Supply: Large dams built across a river in one country can alter the flow of river
that may be flowing to another country. This can result in serious tension between neighboring
countries.