Last updated on August 7th, 2023
53. Setting up hydropower generation plants can help to reclaim marshy areas. It can, at the same time, help to improve the overall health of waterways. That is done by preventing and controlling large pieces of debris from flowing down rivers.
The Future of Hydroelectric Power
54. Small-scale Hydropower has become very popular among countries that don’t have the resources for significant developments. They consist of small and compact turbines, making it a cost-effective way of generating electricity.
55. It was found through research that if Hydropower instead of fossil fuel is used, it could prevent pollution of the air. So much so that it could have avoided more than 100 billion tons of carbon dioxide in the previous 50 years.
56. With continued research and development, the total output of Hydropower in the US can grow substantially. In the next few years up to 2050, it can grow from just over 100 to 150 GW.
57. Irrigation ditches can be exploited so small plants can be placed on them to provide electricity. This can be done through a process known as run-of-the-river, where the speed and volume of the water are not increased by a dam.
58. While hydroelectric plants have long life cycles, some issues influence their overall efficiency. Things like fewer shutdowns, efficient load dispatch, and faster startups are things that can improve with modernized control solutions.
59. Several factors must be considered before the goal of increased hydropower generation can be realized. The existing value of the hydropower generation fleet needs to be optimized. It must also be ensured that the nation’s energy needs are met and sustainable.
60. Hydroelectric power will play a critical role in decarbonizing the electric generation system in the future. The authorities hope this technology will remain the primary means of power generation by 2030.
61. New initiatives are going on in the US to lower greenhouse emissions by 2050. The goal is to reduce the total carbon emissions by at least five and a half gigatons.
62. On the other hand, China showed an increase in the development of dams for hydropower plants in the last decade. The same happens in many other countries like India, Africa, and the Pacific.
63. While China relies heavily on coal to fuel its electric generation fleet, that will change soon. With many rivers at its disposal, China is moving rapidly toward hydropower generation.
64. Hope around the world, and more so in the US, is that Hydropower will become the future of cleaner energy. The International Energy Agency aims to reduce carbon emissions to zero before 2050. An increase of 50 percent in hydropower generation is one of the main goals set by this agency.
65. New research is being done to power non-powered dams in the United States to increase the total output of the current system. Key opportunities have been identified and released for the development of dams by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
66. Building new dams and hydropower plants is expensive, so new methods are needed to decrease costs. A potential answer to this is building modular hydroelectric power plants, like the one built in Massachusetts.
How Green is Hydroelectric Power
67. The question many environment protectors ask is whether Hydropower is really that clean. It is proven to emit zero carbon into the air while generating electricity, making it relatively clean.
68. When human-made dams are constructed to build hydropower plants, it will disrupt the environment. Huge areas must be cleaned of plants, other fauna, and flora to make room for these dams and power plants.
69. Hydropower plants help prevent the emission of approximately 3 gigatons of CO2 per year caused by fossil fuels. The total of about 3 Gigaton CO2 emitted into the air makes up 9 percent of total CO2 emissions per year.
70. The construction of large dams indeed has a significant impact on the life of many animal and plant species. Flooding of large areas kills plants and trees, and some animal and bird species are extinct.
71. The natural balance of rivers is disrupted when dams are built which may impact the ecosystem downriver. This causes an imbalance in plant and animal life and may also affect human lives.
72. The initial environmental impact may be too significant when new hydropower plants are built. A great deal of planning and a lot of research needs to go into the initial phases. It may take many years to balance out the changes made, and it may never restore to acceptable levels.
New Technology in Hydroelectric Power
73. Many great things come with new technologies that are developed in all industries, including power generation. In hydropower generation, researchers regularly introduce more efficient ways for these plants to operate at peak efficiency.
74. Variable-speed turbines are one of the most innovative ways of increasing power generation capacity and efficiency. The rotor of this device operates at a super synchronous frequency to produce an increase in power.
75. Electrical machines can be much better controlled with these new generators with current-controlled rotors. This is done with novel power electronics for increased rotor control and better efficiency in power delivery.
76. In rural areas, mini-grids and small-scale hydropower generation play an important role in electric power supply. Advanced designs of gravity hydraulic machines and turbines for better operation strategies are introduced.
77. One of the main concerns of Hydropower is the harm it may cause to fish in rivers and dams. Fish-friendly turbines are built today to reduce the damage they may bring to fish and other water species impacted by hydropower plants.
78. Energy storage to supply in case of emergency is needed and can be done with new technologies. New hybrid hydropower plant types are developed that operate in both pump storage and turbine mode. These hydropower plants can be enhanced by either a variable-speed or fixed turbine.