There are two main questions we would like to address first, which we will give a short introduction to. Further details will be provided at a later date.
THE IMPACTS OF HYDROELECTRICITY ON THE ENVIRONMENT?
Hydroelectric power is used to supply electricity to many parts of the world today, such as America, China and India. Hydropower provides up to one-fifth of the world's electrical energy, second to fossil fuels. At the same time, hydroelectric plants are long lasting. For example, the Grand Coulee dam has been in operation since 1942.
Building hydroelectric plants have its advantages and disadvantages as well.
- A dam could flood vast areas of land up stream, altering the natural ecosystems. The ecosystems along the banks of the river are usually diverse habitats originally, after the dam has been built, these habitats are replaced by a relatively uniform reservoir, which usually supports a much smaller range of animal species.
- Dams also modify the river flows by releasing water to produce energy, irrigation or even for navigation and recreation.
- Moreover, dams can lower the quality of the water. As the amount of water is reduced there is no longer enough water travelling downstream to rinse the ecosystem, it may increase the salinity of the water and alters the natural habitat as well.
- Dams block the access to certain species of migratory fish’s breeding or feeding sites. Fish ladder is a possible solution but it is not always effective, and is not a feasible solution for many tropical rivers.
- However, in places where natural water bodies are almost absent, dams provide the essential natural habitats for many birds.
- Some dam projects have implemented specific habitat restoration measures that can to a certain extent compensate for the negative impacts of dams.
- The main advantage of dams on the environment is that it is renewable and cheap. We only need to pay for building and maintaining the power stations and the dams.
- The whole process is also environmentally friendly, as it create minimal air, chemical, water or thermal pollution and almost does not contribute to global warming.
- Furthermore, the use of hydroelectric power solves the problem caused by the fast depleting coal, oil and other non-renewable fuel.
WHAT ARE SOMES OF THE ADVANTAGES OF HYDRO-ENERGY?
Hydroelectric energy offers a number of advantages for people who use it, the environment.
- Cost of fuels are constantly rising therefore using hydroelectric power can help save a lot of money, by making electricity costs lower and more stable.
- Minimal pollution caused to the environment as it does not produce radioactive waste accepts for when the power stations are initially built. However, all power plants pollute the environment when they are first built. Less greenhouse gases are produced as compared to burning of fossil fuels.
- Cut down on number of employees as these plants are largely automated thus cutting down on costs
- Can be set up in any size, depending on the river or stream used to operate them
- Renewable form of energy;it does not rely upon finite resources like natural gas or coal to generate power.
- Operate for many years after they are built compared to nuclear power plants which generally lasts for 30-40 years
- Small hydro electricity generation systems sometimes offer more economic advantages for home owners than solar power, and tend to last longer than solar panels do.
Source Citation: Perry, Z. (2007). Hydroelectric Power. HubPages, Retrieved Feb 25, 2008, from http://hubpages.com/hub/advantages-hydroelectric-power
That's all for now. Do come back often to check up on latest updates!
Yours Sincerely,
Hydroelectricians. :D
