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Hydro Power
Hydro power uses the energy created by moving water in order to power a series of generators to create electricity. Typically hydro power plants use large dams to store up water which is then released through a series or turbines causing them to spin, thus generating electricity. Contrary to popular belief large scale dams are not required in order to produce electricity. Small scale dams can be used to channel water through a narrow channel where the generators are housed. At the present time hydro power provides around one fifth of the world energy, with most of this being concentrated in the US, China and Canada.
There are already a large number of hydro power sites through the UK but most of these are small to medium in size. Most of them are under 20MW and are placed in locations which mean the generated power needs to be transferred through power lines to locations where it can be used. Hydro power is also a highly efficient energy production process. Because the power comes from the water stored behind the dam there will be large energy reserve available, even during the dryer months of the year. Some large installations have the ability to produce 200 times more energy than is required to run a series of turbines. The modern generators used in hydro electricity generation are highly efficient, often converting as much as 90% of the available power into electricity, thus making it the most efficient of all forms of renewable energy.
However, there are environmental implications of installing a hydro power plant. Many of the plants around the UK are located in areas which are away from populated areas, meaning the power generated has to fed back to a location where it can be diverted for use elsewhere. Although once in operation they are highly efficient, there is a significant cost in setting up a large scale facility. A dam will be required which can have adverse effects on the local environment. Flooding valleys means natural habitats are submerged and lost under the water and there is also the loss of a free flowing river. This can have an negative effect on aquatic eco systems as it can mean fish are unable to migrate to breeding waters leading to a reduction in natural reproduction. Although these factors had been overlooked for a long time they have now been recognised as a problem, meaning future production of hydroelectric dams is being limited.
Bearing all of these factors in mind hydroelectric will continue to make a worthwhile contribution to the worlds renewable energy supply, and as a completely green method of generating power it will be around for years to come.