Hydropower

Basics
this is a form of solar energy, as the sun drives water
evaporation from the ocean and winds carry the moisture
overland
largest form of alternative energy used today (but only 2%
of global energy)
industrialized countries have already tapped most of their
potential
non-industrialized countries have most of the untapped
potential

More basics
Energy is converted from potential energy of water at some
height to other forms of energy as water drops... electrical
energy, mechanical energy....
most water power is tapped via dams ... these hold enough
water to outlast periodic droughts and help to control flooding
tidal power and wave power are an ocean forms of water
power

Dams
Ultimate source of
power is the sun;
aided by gravity.
Solar energy
evaporates water
Water falling on
land flows
downhill

Dams
Trap water flowing downhill and use the energy to turn turbines

Dams
Trap water flowing downhill and use the energy to turn turbines

Dams
Height of dam and mass of water behind the dam
determine useful energy.
Efficiency is very good to excellent, generally 80 to
90% efficient in converting potential energy to
electrical energy.

Costs of hydropower

Hydroelectric is less than half the cost of fossil fuel derived

electricity.
Note that the difference is in fuel costs.

Hydropower: US
Hydropower is the #1 alternative energy source (but
biomass is close)

Hydropower:
US

Global

History of hydropower

History of hydropower

Percentage of electricity from hydropower has declined

because the total amount of electricity produced has risen,
while electricity for hydropower remained nearly constant
Very little new hydropower added after 1975
Fluctuations in amount of hydropower after 1975 are due
variations in rainfall climate

Pros and Cons of hydropower

Pros:
very clean
cheap
flood control (primary reason for dams)
multiple crops per year possible

Pros and Cons of hydropower

Cons:
potential is limited globally to about 5 to 10% of energy needs
dependability is an issue; prolonged droughts can cut electrical
production in half or more
dams have drawbacks, including...
loss of nutrient flow down river
loss of sediment flow down river
sedimentation behind the dam limits lifetime of the dam
flooding of scenic areas
ecosystem below the dam is usually changed by having
colder, nutrient poor water
aesthetics loss of wild rivers

Potential for hydropower

Industrialized world is about tapped out maybe a
30% increase possible.
currently 3% of total energy
so 5% of today's energy is possible
but as needs increase, this percentage goes down
maximum of 3% is realistic

Potential for hydropower

Developing world has more potential
less than 1% of energy from hydropower
today
could be as much as 10%
as developing countries develop, however,
this percentage will drop, maybe 5% or less.

Tidal power
Form of hydropower, but uses gravitational
energy, the pull of the moon on water
Concept is simple.
build a dam across an inlet with a large tidal
range, or
Build an enclosure that can be filled during
high tide
Capture wave energy
Use underwater propellers

Tidal power: propeller systems

Tidal power: wave systems

Air driven
Water driven

Tidal power:
enclosures
Power can be generated
with both rising and
falling tide

Tidal power: issues

Tides cycle every 12.5 hours, so daily peak production
times and slack times vary, this causes a mismatch in
supply and demand, as industrial demand is high during
the day and low at night.
Tides vary seasonally and monthly as well.
The tidal range is about 2 feet to about 20 feet, the
higher the tide, the more useful the energy (remember
height of dam issue!).

Tidal power: issues

Due to low height of water and slack times in
production, tidal dams produce about 1/3rd the power of
river dams.
Tidal power is cheap, less than 1/5th the cost of fossil
fuel power.
Problems include hindered ship traffic and ecological
damage to marine ecosystems and especially migrating
fish species.
Wave generating systems dependent on weather

Tidal power: bottom line

Tidal power has a potential equal to only 1 to 2
percent of current global energy use, but, it is
useful in certain coastal settings, and is very
cheap to produce and maintain.