It is estimated that we only use 3% of our damns to products hydroelectric power. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), with inputs from the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), executed the technical analysis and identified 54,000 NPDs (non-powered dams). It just doesn't make sense, with the price of oil and the pollution value of coal. Why aren't we utilizing this all ready made green energy
source.
Hydropower
is a green energy
source because we are able to harness electrical power by converting water into electricity.
The use of hydroelectric power or even hydroelectricity dates back to Ancient Greece and China when they installed waterwheels
in rapidly flowing rivers to turn millstones
and other equipment. Years later, this was used in the New World which is now known as North America to power saws
and other equipment.
But the hydroelectric plants of today still use the same basic principles as the historical waterwheel with some variations. The difference is that we use the force of the power to push the turbine
which in turn powers a generator thus generating electricity.
To make sure that there is a steady flow of power being produced, a dam has to be built to retain the water. If there is a need for more power, the gates of the dam are opened so water can be released. During non-peak, the gates are closed. To ensure there is water at all times, some dams have a recovery and pumping systems to the water released can be used again.
There are issues with the use of hydroelectricity. Some claim that it poses a problem for fish
and aquatic plants
on both sides of the dam. Because the flow of water has been altered, the nutrient rich silt which helps crops grow could be affected which is exactly what happened when the Aswan Dam was completed in Egypt.
But there are ways to fix that and the bigger picture is that power produced from hydroelectric plants do not generate any emissions or waste which happens to be much better than operating a coal-fired power plant.
Tidal Energy
There is also tidal energy. The difference with wave energy
is that when the tide approaches, the water is trapped in reservoirs behind dams. When the tide drops, the water behind the dam is released thus producing power similar to a hydroelectric power plant.
This can only work if you have tides that are at least 16 feet and since there are only a few places in the planet that can do that.
Wave Energy
There are other ways to generate hydropower and you get this form the sea. This is also known as wave power
or wave energy which uses changes in the air levels of sealed chambers to power turbines
. When a wave rises into the chamber, the rise water pushes the air out which then turns a generator.
Once the wave goes down, air flows into the turbine and back into the chamber through doors that will close.
These chambers remain afloat on the ocean and how much power it produces varies. A lot of these are used on the western coasts of Scotland, northern Canada, southern Africa, Australia, and the northwestern coasts of the United States. These systems are usually small and can power a warning buoy or a small light house.
Ocean Thermal Energy
Lastly, you have ocean thermal energy. Here, you get power based on the different temperatures in the water. For this to work, you need at least 38 degrees Fahrenheit difference between the warmer surface water and the colder deep ocean water. Still in the trial stage, it is used Japan and Hawaii.
Hydropower is a green energy source. It is safe to use and what is even better is that it is renewable.
source.Hydropower
is a green energy source because we are able to harness electrical power by converting water into electricity.The Use of Hydropower
The use of hydroelectric power or even hydroelectricity dates back to Ancient Greece and China when they installed waterwheels
in rapidly flowing rivers to turn millstones and other equipment. Years later, this was used in the New World which is now known as North America to power saws and other equipment.But the hydroelectric plants of today still use the same basic principles as the historical waterwheel with some variations. The difference is that we use the force of the power to push the turbine
which in turn powers a generator thus generating electricity.To make sure that there is a steady flow of power being produced, a dam has to be built to retain the water. If there is a need for more power, the gates of the dam are opened so water can be released. During non-peak, the gates are closed. To ensure there is water at all times, some dams have a recovery and pumping systems to the water released can be used again.
The Environmental Issues with Hydropower
and aquatic plants on both sides of the dam. Because the flow of water has been altered, the nutrient rich silt which helps crops grow could be affected which is exactly what happened when the Aswan Dam was completed in Egypt.But there are ways to fix that and the bigger picture is that power produced from hydroelectric plants do not generate any emissions or waste which happens to be much better than operating a coal-fired power plant.
Other Application for Hydopower
Tidal Energy
There is also tidal energy. The difference with wave energy
is that when the tide approaches, the water is trapped in reservoirs behind dams. When the tide drops, the water behind the dam is released thus producing power similar to a hydroelectric power plant.This can only work if you have tides that are at least 16 feet and since there are only a few places in the planet that can do that.
Wave Energy
or wave energy which uses changes in the air levels of sealed chambers to power turbines. When a wave rises into the chamber, the rise water pushes the air out which then turns a generator.Once the wave goes down, air flows into the turbine and back into the chamber through doors that will close.
These chambers remain afloat on the ocean and how much power it produces varies. A lot of these are used on the western coasts of Scotland, northern Canada, southern Africa, Australia, and the northwestern coasts of the United States. These systems are usually small and can power a warning buoy or a small light house.
Ocean Thermal Energy
Lastly, you have ocean thermal energy. Here, you get power based on the different temperatures in the water. For this to work, you need at least 38 degrees Fahrenheit difference between the warmer surface water and the colder deep ocean water. Still in the trial stage, it is used Japan and Hawaii.
Hydropower is a green energy source. It is safe to use and what is even better is that it is renewable.
Norway: Energy storage for Europe | Global 3000
Published on Jul 8, 2014
Norway derives almost 100 percent of its energy from hydropower. For Germany's planned transition to renewable energy
, a close partnership is crucially important, because Norwegian pumped storage power stations could balance out variations in renewable energy sources. But do Norwegians actually want to their country to become Europe's storage battery?Thank you for reading my post “Why is Hydropower a Green Energy Source?”. Since you are here, sit down and relax. Take your shoes off. Make yourself at home and have a look around. Stay as long as you want and come back as often as you can.
Thanks again and Y’all come back now.
Keep Smiling
reuben
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