The Gordon Dam in Tasmania is a large hydro facility with an installed capacity of 430 MW.
Sustainable energy
Renewable energy
Anaerobic digestion Hydroelectricity
Gasification of biomass Geothermal
Solar Tidal
Wave Wind
Energy conservation
Cogeneration Energy efficiency
Geothermal heat pump Green building
Passive Solar Microgeneration
Organic Rankine Cycle
Sustainable transport
Plug-in hybrids Electric vehicles
Environment Portal
v d e
Hydroelectricity, Biofuels To Lead Latam Renewables Growth
Hydroelectricity projects are set to balloon in Latin America as the region is expect to invest hugely in the technology in coming years, followed by biomass and wind power, according to industry observers.
Hydroelectricity projects are set to balloon in Latin America as the region is expect to invest hugely in the technology in coming years, followed by biomass and wind power, according to industry observers.
President Clintons Solar Roofs Initiative one million homes may be outfitted with the tiles by 2010 Hydroelectric Energy Hydroelectricity is produced from the potential energy of water at a high geographical location After being released the fast moving water turns turbines that drive generators that
http://yowusa.com/earth/2000/earth-2000-09a/1.shtml
Hydroelectricity: Definition from Answers.com
hydroelectricity ( ¦hīdrōi′lek′trisədē ) ( electricity ) Electric power produced by hydroelectric generators
hydroelectricity ( ¦hīdrōi′lek′trisədē ) ( electricity ) Electric power produced by hydroelectric generators
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy. Once a hydroelectric complex is constructed the project produces no direct waste and has a considerably lower output level of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) than fossil fuel powered energy plants. Worldwide an installed capacity of 777 GWe supplied 2998 TWh of hydroelectricity in 2006.1 This was approximately 20% of the world's electricity and accounted for about 88% of electricity from renewable sources.2
Contents
1 History
2 Generating methods
2.1 Conventional (dams)
2.2 Pumped-storage
2.3 Run-of-the-river
2.4 Tide
2.5 Underground
3 Sizes and capacities of hydroelectric facilities
3.1 Large and specialized industrial facilities
3.2 Small
3.3 Micro
3.4 Pico
4 Calculating the amount of available power
5 Advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectricity
5.1 Advantages
5.1.1 Economics
5.1.2 CO2 emissions
5.1.3 Other uses of the reservoir
5.2 Disadvantages
5.2.1 Ecosystem damage and loss of land
5.2.2 Siltation
5.2.3 Flow shortage
5.2.4 Methane emissions (from reservoirs)
5.2.5 Relocation
5.2.6 Failure hazard
5.3 Comparison with other methods of power generation
6 World hydroelectric capacity
7 Major projects under construction
8 See also
9 References
10 External links
History
Hydropower water footprint beats global average
Auckland, New Zealand...13 June 2011...New Zealand's hydroelectricity has a better environmental footprint than many other countries, a benefit that makes our products more attractive for consumers.
Auckland, New Zealand...13 June 2011...New Zealand's hydroelectricity has a better environmental footprint than many other countries, a benefit that makes our products more attractive for consumers.
3 Turbine A machine that is turned by the force of the fast moving water pushing against its blades Turbines convert the kinetic energy of the water to mechanical energy 4 Generator Connects to the turbine and rotates to produce the electrical energy 5 Transformer
http://www.alternative-energy-resources.net/hydroelectricity.html
Hydroelectricity - New World Encyclopedia
Hydroelectricity is the world's leading renewable energy source. Hydroelectricity is electricity produced by hydropower—that is, the energy of moving water. ...
Hydroelectricity is the world's leading renewable energy source. Hydroelectricity is electricity produced by hydropower—that is, the energy of moving water. ...
Hydropower has been used since ancient times to grind flour and perform other tasks. In the mid-1770s French engineer Bernard Forest de Blidor published Architecture Hydraulique which described vertical- and horizontal-axis hydraulic machines. By the late 19th century the electrical generator was developed and could now be coupled with hydraulics.3 The growing demand for the Industrial Revolution would drive development as well.4 In 1878 the world's first hydroelectric power scheme was developed at Cragside in Northumberland England by William George Armstrong. It was used to power a single light bulb in his art gallery.5 The old Schoelkopf Power Station No. 1 near Niagara Falls in the U.S. side began to produce electricity in 1881. The first Edison hydroelectric power plant the Vulcan Street Plant began operating September 30 1882 in Appleton Wisconsin with an output of about 12.5 kilowatts.6 By 1886 there were 45 hydroelectric power plants in the U.S. and Canada. By 1889 there were 200 in the U.S. alone.3
Tornados blow up rates for TVA users by 4.5 percent
The typical homeowner in the Tennessee Valley will pay an extra $3 to $6 on next month’s electricity bill to cover the costs of storm-related problems in April and May by TVA.
The typical homeowner in the Tennessee Valley will pay an extra $3 to $6 on next month’s electricity bill to cover the costs of storm-related problems in April and May by TVA.
hydro electricity - explained
Hydro electricity is another term for power generated by harnessing the power of moving water. Not necessarily falling water, just moving water. ...
Hydro electricity is another term for power generated by harnessing the power of moving water. Not necessarily falling water, just moving water. ...
At the beginning of the 20th century many small hydroelectric power plants were being constructed by commercial companies in mountains near metropolitan areas. Grenoble France held the International Exhibition of Hydropower and Tourism with over one million visitors. By 1920 as 40% of the power produced in the United States was hydroelectric the Federal Power Act was enacted into law. The Act created the Federal Power Commission to regulate hydroelectric power plants on federal land and water. As the power plants became larger their associated dams developed additional purposes to include flood control irrigation and navigation. Federal funding became necessary for large-scale development and federally owned corporations such as the Tennessee Valley Authority (1933) and the Bonneville Power Administration (1937) were created.4 Additionally the Bureau of Reclamation which had began a series of western U.S. irrigation projects in the early 20th century was now constructing large hydroelectric projects such as the 1928 Hoover Dam.7 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was also involved in hydroelectric development completing the Bonneville Dam in 1937 and being recognized by the Flood Control Act of 1936 as the premier federal flood control agency.8
U.K. Renewable Power May Increase Tenfold by 2030, Study Says
Renewable energy in the U.K. may increase tenfold by 2030 if the country can improve its power grids and provide training to the workforce, the Department of Energy and Climate Change said.
Renewable energy in the U.K. may increase tenfold by 2030 if the country can improve its power grids and provide training to the workforce, the Department of Energy and Climate Change said.
Hydroelectricity Facts
One of the best ways to produce electricity is through moving water. This is called hydroelectricity.
One of the best ways to produce electricity is through moving water. This is called hydroelectricity.
Hydroelectric power plants continued to become larger throughout the 20th century. Hydropower was referred to as white coal for its power and plenty.9 Hoover Dam's initial 1345 MW power plant was the world's largest hydroelectric power plant in 1936; it was eclipsed by the 6809 MW Grand Coulee Dam in 1942.10 The Itaipu Dam opened in 1984 in South America as the largest producing 14000 MW but was surpassed in 2008 by the Three Gorges Dam in China at 22500 MW. Hydroelectricity would eventually supply some countries including Norway Democratic Republic of the Congo Paraguay and Brazil with over 85% of their electricity. The United States currently has over 2000 hydroelectric power plants which supply 49% of its renewable electricity.4
Generating methods
Turbine row at Los Nihuiles Power Station in Mendoza Argentina
Cross section of a conventional hydroelectric dam.
A typical turbine and generator
Conventional (dams)
See also: List of conventional hydroelectric power stations
Wind Energy Making Headway In New Zealand
Global wind day on 15 June is a chance to acknowledge the contribution wind energy is making to New Zealand, EECA chief executive Mike Underhill says.
Global wind day on 15 June is a chance to acknowledge the contribution wind energy is making to New Zealand, EECA chief executive Mike Underhill says.
alternative.energy -- The Solutions, Now -- Hydro Electricity
Hydro electricity is the generation of electricity through water pressure. ... Although hydro electricity has many advantages, there are still quite a few setbacks. ...
Hydro electricity is the generation of electricity through water pressure. ... Although hydro electricity has many advantages, there are still quite a few setbacks. ...
Most hydroelectric power comes from the potential energy of dammed water driving a water turbine and generator. The power extracted from the water depends on the volume and on the difference in height between the source and the water's outflow. This height difference is called the head. The amount of potential energy in water is proportional to the head. A large pipe (the "penstock") delivers water to the turbine.
Pumped-storage
Main article: Pumped-storage hydroelectricity
See also: List of pumped-storage hydroelectric power stations
PSNH: Competitors involved in bill
Email says lobbyist suggested language As the dispute over Northern Pass continues, Public Service of New Hampshire says a group of competing regional power generators may be trying to stop the project from coming to fruition. In an email last month to Sen. Matthew Houde, Public Utilities Commission general counsel Anne Ross wrote that lobbyist Jim Monahan, representing the New England Power ...
Email says lobbyist suggested language As the dispute over Northern Pass continues, Public Service of New Hampshire says a group of competing regional power generators may be trying to stop the project from coming to fruition. In an email last month to Sen. Matthew Houde, Public Utilities Commission general counsel Anne Ross wrote that lobbyist Jim Monahan, representing the New England Power ...
Hydroelectricity - Definition | WordIQ.com
Hydroelectricity, hydroelectric power, is a form of hydropower (the use of energy ... Hydroelectricity is a renewable energy source, since the water that flows in ...
Hydroelectricity, hydroelectric power, is a form of hydropower (the use of energy ... Hydroelectricity is a renewable energy source, since the water that flows in ...
This method produces electricity to supply high peak demands by moving water between reservoirs at different elevations. At times of low electrical demand excess generation capacity is used to pump water into the higher reservoir. When there is higher demand water is released back into the lower reservoir through a turbine. Pumped-storage schemes currently provide the most commercially important means of large-scale grid energy storage and improve the daily capacity factor of the generation system.
Run-of-the-river
Main article: Run-of-the-river hydroelectricity
See also: List of run-of-the-river hydroelectric power stations
Grid Cloud Solutions Declares Dividend
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON--(Marketwire - Jun 9, 2011) - Grid Cloud Solutions Inc . ( PINKSHEETS : GRDC ) is pleased to announce its Board of Directors has approved a Restricted Stock Dividend.
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON--(Marketwire - Jun 9, 2011) - Grid Cloud Solutions Inc . ( PINKSHEETS : GRDC ) is pleased to announce its Board of Directors has approved a Restricted Stock Dividend.
Hydroelectricity - Simple English Wikipedia, the free ...
Hydroelectricity is electricity that is made by the movement of water. ... Also hydroelectricity not run out as long as there is a good water supply. ...
Hydroelectricity is electricity that is made by the movement of water. ... Also hydroelectricity not run out as long as there is a good water supply. ...
Run-of-the-river hydroelectric stations are those with small or no reservoir capacity so that the water coming from upstream must be used for generation at that moment or must be allowed to bypass the dam.
Tide
Main article: Tide power
See also: List of tidal power stations
Indus river’s level hits highest mark in 500 years
The year-to-year data collected with the help of tree-ring chronologies from the main upper Indus basin in Pakistan showed that the river flow has considerably increased over the last 21 years, possibly the highest sustained flow period of the past 500 years.
The year-to-year data collected with the help of tree-ring chronologies from the main upper Indus basin in Pakistan showed that the river flow has considerably increased over the last 21 years, possibly the highest sustained flow period of the past 500 years.
hydroelectricity - definition of hydroelectricity by the Free ...
Translations of hydroelectricity. hydroelectricity synonyms, hydroelectricity antonyms. Information about hydroelectricity ...
Translations of hydroelectricity. hydroelectricity synonyms, hydroelectricity antonyms. Information about hydroelectricity ...
A tidal power plant makes use of the daily rise and fall of ocean water due to tides; such sources are highly predictable and if conditions permit construction of reservoirs can also be dispatchable to generate power during high demand periods. Less common types of hydro schemes use water's kinetic energy or undammed sources such as undershot waterwheels.
Underground
Main article: Underground power station
NS environmental groups question Lower Churchill project
The Atlantic chapter of the Sierra Club and the Halifax-based Ecology Action Centre are calling on the provincial government to consider alternatives to the $6.2 billion Lower Churchill hydro project. “It’s really hard to accept at face value that this is the best option on the table,” says Brennan Vogel of the EAC.… [ Read more ] [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]
The Atlantic chapter of the Sierra Club and the Halifax-based Ecology Action Centre are calling on the provincial government to consider alternatives to the $6.2 billion Lower Churchill hydro project. “It’s really hard to accept at face value that this is the best option on the table,” says Brennan Vogel of the EAC.… [ Read more ] [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]
Hydroelectricity Summary | BookRags.com
Hydroelectricity summary with 34 pages of lesson plans, quotes, chapter summaries, analysis, encyclopedia entries, essays, research information, and more.
Hydroelectricity summary with 34 pages of lesson plans, quotes, chapter summaries, analysis, encyclopedia entries, essays, research information, and more.
An underground power station makes use of a large natural height difference between two waterways such as a waterfall or mountain lake. An underground tunnel is constructed to take water from the high reservoir to the generating hall built in an underground cavern near the lowest point of the water tunnel and a horizontal tailrace taking water away to the lower outlet waterway.
Sizes and capacities of hydroelectric facilities
Large and specialized industrial facilities
The Three Gorges Dam is the largest operating hydroelectric power station at 22500 MW.
See also: List of largest power stations in the world and List of largest hydroelectric power stations
Although no official definition exists for the capacity range of large hydroelectric power stations facilities from over a few hundred megawatts to more than 10 GW are generally considered large hydroelectric facilities. Currently only three facilities over 10 GW (10000 MW) are in operation worldwide; Three Gorges Dam at 22.5 GW Itaipu Dam at 14 GW and Guri Dam at 10.2 GW. Large-scale hydroelectric power stations are more commonly seen as the largest power producing facilities in the world with some hydroelectric facilities capable of generating more than double the installed capacities of the current largest nuclear power stations.
While many hydroelectric projects supply public electricity networks some are created to serve specific industrial enterprises. Dedicated hydroelectric projects are often built to provide the substantial amounts of electricity needed for aluminium electrolytic plants for example. The Grand Coulee Dam switched to support Alcoa aluminium in Bellingham Washington United States for American World War II airplanes before it was allowed to provide irrigation and power to citizens (in addition to aluminium power) after the war. In Suriname the Brokopondo Reservoir was constructed to provide electricity for the Alcoa aluminium industry. New Zealand's Manapouri Power Station was constructed to supply electricity to the aluminium smelter at Tiwai Point.
The construction of these large hydroelectric facilities and their changes on the environment are also often on grand scales creating as much damage to the environment as at helps it by being a renewable resource. Many specialized organizations such as the International Hydropower Association look into these matters on a global scale.
Small
Main article: Small hydro
Small hydro is the development of hydroelectric power on a scale serving a small community or industrial plant. The definition of a small hydro project varies but a generating capacity of up to 10 megawatts (MW) is generally accepted as the upper limit of what can be termed small hydro. This may be stretched to 25 MW and 30 MW in Canada and the United States. Small-scale hydroelectricity production grew by 28% during 2008 from 2005 raising the total world small-hydro capacity to 85 GW. Over 70% of this was in China (65 GW) followed by Japan (3.5 GW) the United States (3 GW) and India (2 GW).11
Small hydro plants may be connected to conventional electrical distribution networks as a source of low-cost renewable energy. Alternatively small hydro projects may be built in isolated areas that would be uneconomic to serve from a network or in areas where there is no national electrical distribution network. Since small hydro projects usually have minimal reservoirs and civil construction work they are seen as having a relatively low environmental impact compared to large hydro. This decreased environmental impact depends strongly on the balance between stream flow and power production.
Micro
Main article: Micro hydro
A micro-hydro facility in Vietnam
Micro hydro is a term used for hydroelectric power installations that typically produce up to 100 KW of power. These installations can provide power to an isolated home or small community or are sometimes connected to electric power networks. There are many of these installations around the world particularly in developing nations as they can provide an economical source of energy without purchase of fuel.12 Micro hydro systems complement photovoltaic solar energy systems because in many areas water flow and thus available hydro power is highest in the winter when solar energy is at a minimum.
Pico
Pico hydroelectricity in Mondulkiri Cambodia
Main article: Pico hydro
Pico hydro is a term used for hydroelectric power generation of under 5 KW. It is useful in small remote communities that require only a small amount of electricity. For example to power one or two fluorescent light bulbs and a TV or radio for a few homes.13 Even smaller turbines of 200-300W may power a single home in a developing country with a drop of only 1 m (3 ft). Pico-hydro setups typically are run-of-the-river meaning that dams are not used but rather pipes divert some of the flow drop this down a gradient and through the turbine before returning it to the stream.
Calculating the amount of available power
Main article: Hydropower
A simple formula for approximating electric power production at a hydroelectric plant is: P hrgk where
P is Power in watts
is the density of water (1000 kg/m3)
h is height in meters
r is flow rate in cubic meters per second
g is acceleration due to gravity of 9.8 m/s2
k is a coefficient of efficiency ranging from 0 to 1. Efficiency is often higher (that is closer to 1) with larger and more modern turbines.
Annual electric energy production depends on the available water supply. In some installations the water flow rate can vary by a factor of 10:1 over the course of a year.
Advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectricity
Advantages
The Ffestiniog Power Station can generate 360 MW of electricity within 60 seconds of the demand arising.
Economics
The major advantage of hydroelectricity is elimination of the cost of fuel. The cost of operating a hydroelectric plant is nearly immune to increases in the cost of fossil fuels such as oil natural gas or coal and no imports are needed.
Hydroelectric plants have long economic lives with some plants still in service after 50100 years.14 Operating labor cost is also usually low as plants are automated and have few personnel on site during normal operation.
Where a dam serves multiple purposes a hydroelectric plant may be added with relatively low construction cost providing a useful revenue stream to offset the costs of dam operation. It has been calculated that the sale of electricity from the Three Gorges Dam will cover the construction costs after 5 to 8 years of full generation.15
CO2 emissions
Since hydroelectric dams do not burn fossil fuels they do not directly produce carbon dioxide. While some carbon dioxide is produced during manufacture and construction of the project this is a tiny fraction of the operating emissions of equivalent fossil-fuel electricity generation. One measurement of greenhouse gas related and other externality comparison between energy sources can be found in the ExternE project by the Paul Scherrer Institut and the University of Stuttgart which was funded by the European Commission.16 According to that study hydroelectricity produces the least amount of greenhouse gases and externality of any energy source.17 Coming in second place was wind third was nuclear energy and fourth was solar photovoltaic.17 The extremely positive greenhouse gas impact of hydroelectricity is found especially in temperate climates. The above study was for local energy in Europe; presumably similar conditions prevail in North America and Northern Asia which all see a regular natural freeze/thaw cycle (with associated seasonal plant decay and regrowth).
Other uses of the reservoir
Reservoirs created by hydroelectric schemes often provide facilities for water sports and become tourist attractions themselves. In some countries aquaculture in reservoirs is common. Multi-use dams installed for irrigation support agriculture with a relatively constant water supply. Large hydro dams can control floods which would otherwise affect people living downstream of the project.
Disadvantages
Ecosystem damage and loss of land
Hydroelectric power stations that use dams would submerge large areas of land due to the requirement of a reservoir.
Large reservoirs required for the operation of hydroelectric power stations result in submersion of extensive areas upstream of the dams destroying biologically rich and productive lowland and riverine valley forests marshland and grasslands. The loss of land is often exacerbated by the fact that reservoirs cause habitat fragmentation of surrounding areas.
Hydroelectric projects can be disruptive to surrounding aquatic ecosystems both upstream and downstream of the plant site. For instance studies have shown that dams along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America have reduced salmon populations by preventing access to spawning grounds upstream even though most dams in salmon habitat have fish ladders installed. Salmon spawn are also harmed on their migration to sea when they must pass through turbines. This has led to some areas transporting smolt downstream by barge during parts of the year. In some cases dams such as the Marmot Dam have been demolished due to the high impact on fish.18 Turbine and power-plant designs that are easier on aquatic life are an active area of research. Mitigation measures such as fish ladders may be required at new projects or as a condition of re-licensing of existing projects.
Generation of hydroelectric power changes the downstream river environment. Water exiting a turbine usually contains very little suspended sediment which can lead to scouring of river beds and loss of riverbanks.19 Since turbine gates are often opened intermittently rapid or even daily fluctuations in river flow are observed. For example in the Grand Canyon the daily cyclic flow variation caused by Glen Canyon Dam was found to be contributing to erosion of sand bars. Dissolved oxygen content of the water may change from pre-construction conditions. Depending on the location water exiting from turbines is typically much warmer than the pre-dam water which can change aquatic faunal populations including endangered species and prevent natural freezing processes from occurring. Some hydroelectric projects also use canals to divert a river at a shallower gradient to increase the head of the scheme. In some cases the entire river may be diverted leaving a dry riverbed. Examples include the Tekapo and Pukaki Rivers in New Zealand.
Siltation
When water flows it has the ability to transport particles heavier than itself downstream. This has a negative effect on dams and subsequently their power stations particularly those on rivers or within catchment areas with high siltation. Siltation can fill a reservoir and reduce its capacity to control floods along with causing additional horizontal pressure on the upstream portion of the dam. Eventually some reservoirs can become completely full of sediment and useless or over-top during a flood and fail.2021 See Risks to the Glen Canyon Dam for a specific example.
Flow shortage
Changes in the amount of river flow will correlate with the amount of energy produced by a dam. Lower river flows because of drought climate change or upstream dams and diversions will reduce the amount of live storage in a reservoir therefore reducing the amount of water that can be used for hydroelectricity. The result of diminished river flow can be power shortages in areas that depend heavily on hydroelectric power. The risk of flow shortage may increase as a result of climate change.22 Studies from the Colorado River in the United States suggest that modest climate changes such as an increase in temperature in 2 degree Celsius resulting in a 10% decline in precipitation might reduce river run-o by up to 40%.22 Brazil in particular is vulnerable due to its heaving reliance on hydroelectricity as increasing temperatures lower water ow and alterations in the rainfall regime could reduce total energy production by 7% annually by the end of the century.22
Methane emissions (from reservoirs)
The Hoover Dam in the United States is a large conventional dammed-hydro facility with an installed capacity of 2080 MW.
See also: Environmental impacts of reservoirs
Lower positive impacts are found in the tropical regions as it has been noted that the reservoirs of power plants in tropical regions may produce substantial amounts of methane. This is due to plant material in flooded areas decaying in an anaerobic environment and forming methane a potent greenhouse gas. According to the World Commission on Dams report23 where the reservoir is large compared to the generating capacity (less than 100 watts per square metre of surface area) and no clearing of the forests in the area was undertaken prior to impoundment of the reservoir greenhouse gas emissions from the reservoir may be higher than those of a conventional oil-fired thermal generation plant.24 Although these emissions represent carbon already in the biosphere not fossil deposits that had been sequestered from the carbon cycle there is a greater amount of methane due to anaerobic decay causing greater damage than would otherwise have occurred had the forest decayed naturally.
In boreal reservoirs of Canada and Northern Europe however greenhouse gas emissions are typically only 2% to 8% of any kind of conventional fossil-fuel thermal generation. A new class of underwater logging operation that targets drowned forests can mitigate the effect of forest decay.25
In 2007 International Rivers accused hydropower firms of cheating with fake carbon credits under the Clean Development Mechanism for hydropower projects already finished or under construction at the moment they applied to join the CDM. These carbon credits of hydropower projects under the CDM in developing countries can be sold to companies and governments in rich countries in order to comply with the Kyoto protocol.26
Relocation
Another disadvantage of hydroelectric dams is the need to relocate the people living where the reservoirs are planned. In February 2008 it was estimated that 40-80 million people worldwide had been physically displaced as a direct result of dam construction.27 In many cases no amount of compensation can replace ancestral and cultural attachments to places that have spiritual value to the displaced population. Additionally historically and culturally important sites can be flooded and lost.
Such problems have arisen at the Aswan Dam in Egypt between 1960 and 1980 the Three Gorges Dam in China the Clyde Dam in New Zealand and the Ilisu Dam in Turkey.
Failure hazard
Main article: Dam failure
See also: List of hydroelectric power station failures
Because large conventional dammed-hydro facilities hold back large volumes of water a failure due to poor construction terrorism or other cause can be catastrophic to downriver settlements and infrastructure. Dam failures have been some of the largest man-made disasters in history. Also good design and construction are not an adequate guarantee of safety. Dams are tempting industrial targets for wartime attack sabotage and terrorism such as Operation Chastise in World War II.
The Banqiao Dam failure in Southern China directly resulted in the deaths of 26000 people and another 145000 from epidemics. Millions were left homeless. Also the creation of a dam in a geologically inappropriate location may cause disasters such as 1963 disaster at Vajont Dam in Italy where almost 2000 people died.28
Smaller dams and micro hydro facilities create less risk but can form continuing hazards even after being decommissioned. For example the small Kelly Barnes Dam failed in 1967 causing 39 deaths with the Toccoa Flood ten years after its power plant was decommissioned.29
Comparison with other methods of power generation
Hydroelectricity eliminates the flue gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion including pollutants such as sulfur dioxide nitric oxide carbon monoxide dust and mercury in the coal. Hydroelectricity also avoids the hazards of coal mining and the indirect health effects of coal emissions. Compared to nuclear power hydroelectricity generates no nuclear waste has none of the dangers associated with uranium mining nor nuclear leaks. Unlike uranium hydroelectricity is also a renewable energy source.
Compared to wind farms hydroelectricity power plants have a more predictable load factor. If the project has a storage reservoir it can generate power when needed. Hydroelectric plants can be easily regulated to follow variations in power demand.
Unlike fossil-fuelled combustion turbines construction of a hydroelectric plant requires a long lead-time for site studies hydrological studies and environmental impact assessment. Hydrological data up to 50 years or more is usually required to determine the best sites and operating regimes for a large hydroelectric plant. Unlike plants operated by fuel such as fossil or nuclear energy the number of sites that can be economically developed for hydroelectric production is limited; in many areas the most cost-effective sites have already been exploited. New hydro sites tend to be far from population centers and require extensive transmission lines. Hydroelectric generation depends on rainfall in the watershed and may be significantly reduced in years of low rainfall or snowmelt. Long-term energy yield may be affected by climate change. Utilities that primarily use hydroelectric power may spend additional capital to build extra capacity to ensure sufficient power is available in low water years.
World hydroelectric capacity
World renewable energy share (2008) with hydroelectricity more than 50% of all renewable energy sources
See also: List of countries by electricity production from renewable sources and Cost of electricity by source
The ranking of hydro-electric capacity is either by actual annual energy production or by installed capacity power rating. A hydro-electric plant rarely operates at its full power rating over a full year; the ratio between annual average power and installed capacity rating is the capacity factor. The installed capacity is the sum of all generator nameplate power ratings. Sources came from BP Statistical Review - Full Report 200930
Brazil Canada New Zealand Norway Paraguay Switzerland and Venezuela are the only countries in the world where the majority of the internal electric energy production is from hydroelectric power. Paraguay produces 100% of its electricity from hydroelectric dams and exports 90% of its production to Brazil and to Argentina. Norway produces 9899% of its electricity from hydroelectric sources.31
Ten of the largest hydroelectric producers as at 2009.3132
Country
Annual hydroelectric
production (TWh)
Installed
capacity (GW)
Capacity
factor
% of total
capacity
China
652.05
196.79
0.37
22.25
Canada
369.5
88.974
0.59
61.12
Brazil
363.8
69.080
0.56
85.56
United States
250.6
79.511
0.42
5.74
Russia
167.0
45.000
0.42
17.64
Norway
140.5
27.528
0.49
98.25
India
115.6
33.600
0.43
15.80
Venezuela
85.96
14.622
0.67
69.20
Japan
69.2
27.229
0.37
7.21
Sweden
65.5
16.209
0.46
44.34
Major projects under construction
Name
Maximum Capacity
Country
Construction started
Scheduled completion
Comments
Xiluodu Dam
12600 MW
China
December 26 2005
2015
Construction once stopped due to lack of environmental impact study.
Belo Monte Dam
11181 MW
Brazil
March 2011
2015
Preliminary construction underway.33
Siang Upper HE Project
11000 MW
India
April 2009
2024
Multi-phase construction over a period of 15 years. Construction was delayed due to dispute with China.citation needed
TaSang Dam
7110 MW
Burma
March 2007
2022
Controversial 228 meter tall dam with capacity to produce 35446 Ghw annually.
Xiangjiaba Dam
6400 MW
China
November 26 2006
2015
Nuozhadu Dam
5850 MW
China
2006
2017
Jinping 2 Hydropower Station
4800 MW
China
January 30 2007
2014
To build this dam 23 families and 129 local residents need to be moved. It works with Jinping 1 Hydropower Station as a group.
Jinping 1 Hydropower Station
3600 MW
China
November 11 2005
2014
Jirau Dam
3300 MW
Brazil
2008
2012
Construction halted in March 2011 due to worker riots.34
Santo Antnio Dam
3150 MW
Brazil
September 200835
2011
Run-of-the-river project
Pubugou Dam
3300 MW
China
March 30 2004
2010
Goupitan Dam
3000 MW
China
November 8 2003
2011
Guanyinyan Dam
3000 MW
China
2008
2015
Construction of the roads and spillway started.
Lianghekou Dam36
3000 MW
China
2009
2015
Boguchan Dam
3000 MW
Russia
1980
2011
Dagangshan Dam
2600 MW
China
August 15 200837
2014
Guandi Dam
2400 MW
China
November 11 2007
2012
Liyuan Dam
2400 MW
China
200838
Tocoma Dam Bolvar State
2160 MW
Venezuela
2004
2014
This power plant would be the last development in the Low Caroni Basin bringing the total to six power plants on the same river including the 10000MW Guri Dam.39
Ludila Dam
2100 MW
China
2007
2015
Construction halt due to lack of the evnironmental assessment.
Shuangjiangkou Dam
2000 MW
China
December 200740
The dam will be 312 m high.
Ahai Dam
2000 MW
China
July 27 2006
Lower Subansiri Dam
2000 MW
India
2005
2012
See also
Hydraulic engineering
List of hydroelectric power stations
List of hydroelectric power station failures
Xcel Energy Cabin Creek Hydroelectric Plant Fire
References
Energy Information Administration international statistics database
Renewables Global Status Report 2006 Update REN21 published 2007 accessed 2007-05-16; see Table 4 p. 20.
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State warns it will intervene with FERC, FFP
LIHU‘E — A Department of Land and Natural Resources representative said the state attorney general’s office plans intervene in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proceedings involving hydroelectric development in Hawai‘i.
LIHU‘E — A Department of Land and Natural Resources representative said the state attorney general’s office plans intervene in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proceedings involving hydroelectric development in Hawai‘i.




















