Pros and Cons of Hydro Energy Generation
Dec 29
Disadvantages of Hydro Energy Generation
How Does Hydro Energy Generation Work?
This power source requires a dam and a reservoir. In addition, turbines and generators are needed plus pipes, which are also called penstocks. Water flows from the dam and is channeled to the power generation area. This water drives the turbines and creates power, which the generators then turn into electricity. The electricity produced is transferred over to a substation for electrical power, where it is used to meet consumer demand. The amount of electricity generated during the hydro power generation process will depend on a few different factors. One of these factors is the height that the channeled water falls from, and this fall is referred to as the head. The higher the height is that the water falls from, the more electricity it will generate. Another factor that determines the amount of electricity generated is the volume of water that is falling or flowing. The more volume there is in the water flow, the more electricity will be produced.
The hydro power generation process is very clean, with no pollution or other harmful environmental effects from it. Hydro power is the cleanest and one of the most efficient energy sources possible. This process releases no greenhouse gases, so it does not contribute to global warming, and it does not require any fossil fuel use. Many hydro power generation plants are renewable energy sources, and they offer sustainable power that renews itself. The costs of building hydro power generation plants are much cheaper than building nuclear power plants, and many times the governments will help cover many of the costs involved. These plants offer many benefits to the surrounding area, but there may also be some disadvantages to these plants, depending on where they are located.
Hydro power generation plants may pose a few disadvantages, depending on the area being considered. Sometimes these plants can change the local environment drastically. To be efficient, hydro power generation plants need a reservoir, and this may result in many acres of land being flooded. This can mean the removal of homes and people, plus the relocation of entire species that habitat the area. Some states have assessment criteria to weight the benefits against any possible disadvantages that a hydro power generation plant would have on the area. Evaluations include factors including any impact the power plant will have on the quality of the water, on the river flow, on the fish population and their passage, and on any threatened or endangered species in the area. The evaluation usually also focuses on any protection for watersheds that may be impacted, and any cultural resources that could be adversely affected. This can ensure that only green hydro power generation plants are built.
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8 Responses to “Pros and Cons of Hydro Energy Generation”
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August 19th, 2010 at 3:24 pmhydro powered stuff is very help ful to our enviorment but while the river water is going it to the generator a sea craeture could accidently go into the generator and die wich could endager that species if happened to much!!!! so totaly make shure no like animals go in the like the generator like thanx bye 🙂
love kate werman!!!!!
January 18th, 2010 at 6:48 pmPlacement of the plants is really important and the need for a major water source without compromising the current environmental status makes a big differance too. However in country’s that are poor and can benefit from something like this, maybe worrying about the surroundings will change should be a minor concern.
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:59 pm