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Hydropower is an alternative energy source that takes advantage of water flow
to create electricity. Using hydraulics and kinetic
energy, mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy.
Hydropower has been used for over 2000 years. It has been used in the milling process of grains, to saw wood,
and even to power machinery during the industrial revolution. The first hydropower turbine of modern design was developed in
France in the 1700’s and has continued to develop into the alternating current generators in use
today.
Hydropower has several
significant advantages. It is clean, and does not
pollute like fossil fuel sources that are in use today.
Operating upon the water cycle, hydropower sources are constantly
renewed through annual rain and snow falls. In
areas around lakes, rivers, and the coast there are an abundance of sources readily
available.
Large scale hydropower projects also provide the benefit of reservoirs that
can be used for recreation purposes, water storage and flood control.
Although hydropower has several advantages, it can also result in several
disadvantages. In large scale operations upstream fish
migration can be severely impacted. Construction
projects should be conducted to allow fish upstream migration and protection during downstream
migration from turbine intakes.
Hydropower can also have a negative impact upon the riverbank habitats and
downstream water flow. The constriction of water
flow in the areas around dam projects can result in damages to habitats by flooding upstream areas
and water starving downstream areas. Additionally, the
areas around dam projects can cause a sharp decrease in oxygen levels causing damage to fish
populations and local flora and fauna.
One last disadvantage of hydropower is that water must be present in order
for plants to operate. During times of drought or in
seasonally dry areas plants may cease to operate.
Hydropower is nearly always created through the kinetic energy of water
flowing down stream. Most often hydropower is used in large scale since it requires a steady
current stream that has sufficient speed and force to overcome the torque of the
generator.
In costal locations with significant tidal shifts hydropower can also be
developed through tidal generators. Tidal generators
are designed to operate using two different methods.
One simple method uses the natural rise and fall of tides to turn turbine blades. A second method creates an artificial reservoir to aid turbine
blades during periods of slack water.
While tidal generators are becoming more widely used, the reservoir system is
still the most common method. To help reduce the
environmental impact of reservoirs for small and medium scale operations are more traditional
method of the water wheel is becoming popular. Limited
in size, this method of hydropower production does not significantly damage riverbanks, fish
populations, or flora and fauna.
Hydropower is one of the most successful alternative energy
sources. With careful consideration for the
environment and proper planning during construction hydropower can provide a reasonable amount of
energy that is clean and efficient.
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