Hydropower mind
By: Tani Vilaylack
Advantages
Water power offers a number of advantages to the communities that they serve. Below are just some of the benefits that hydropower has over other methods of providing energy.
ADVANTAGES OF HYDROPOWER:
- Hydropower is fueled by water, so it's a clean fuel source, meaning it won't pollute the air like power plants that burn fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas.
- Hydroelectric power is a domestic source of energy, allowing each state to produce their own energy without being reliant on international fuel sources.
- The energy generated through hydropower relies on the water cycle, which is driven by the sun, making it a renewable power source, making it a more reliable and affordable source than fossil fuels that are rapidly being depleted.
- Impoundment hydropower creates reservoirs that offer a variety of recreational opportunities, notably fishing, swimming, and boating. Most water power installations are required to provide some public access to the reservoir to allow the public to take advantage of these opportunities.
- Some hydropower facilities can quickly go from zero power to maximum output. Because hydropower plants can generate power to the grid immediately, they provide essential back-up power during major electricity outages or disruptions.
- In addition to a sustainable fuel source, hydropower efforts produce a number of benefits, such as flood control, irrigation, and water supply.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages of Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity does not "use" water, all of the water is returned to its source of origin. Hydroelectric power can be created 24/7 indefinitely assuming that the body of water it is utilizing never runs dry. It is also another absolutely clean source of energy. The power plants, once in place, do not create any waste byproducts in their conversion. Dams constructed can also shut their gates and conserve the water for use when power is in higher demand.
Disadvantages of Hydroelectricity
Like all power plants, hydroelectric plants are very expensive to build, and must be built to a very high standard. The high cost means that plants must operate for a long time to become profitable. The creation of dams can also create flooding of land, which means natural envrionment and the natural habitat of animals, and even people, may be destroyed.
The building of dams for hydroelectric power can also cause a lot of water access problems. The creation of a dam in one location may mean that those down river no longer have control of water flow. This can create controversy in places where neighboring countries share a water supply.