Hydroelectric power is a very efficient, economical and profitable type of renewable energy that works using the movement of river water mainly for the purpose of producing electricity. Its principle is based on storing a large amount of water in hydroelectric dams, to then open the gates and let it fall to produce kinetic energy that moves large turbines and generates electricity.
The kinetic power of moving water has even been used for millennia in the past, for example in Greece the movement of water was used to turn mills and turn wheat into flour. In this article we show you all the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric power. Also, if you want to know the importance of hydroelectric energy, you can click here.
Advantages of hydropower
It is fully available and renewable
Because it is generated through the force of water that is converted into electrical energy. Hydroelectricity will always be available for energy use.
The water cycle will always be present in nature, since the water used comes from rain.
It should be mentioned that these hydroelectric plants tend to be more common in countries that have large mountain ranges where water flows from the mountains more easily.
It is totally safe and clean
Hydroelectric power is completely ecological. Its energy production No generates waste neither releases harmful substances For the enviroment.
It is important to mention that hydroelectric power is a good alternative to energy sources based on the combustion of gas, oil and coal because it is friendly to nature.
It is flexible production
It is very common for hydroelectric plants to adapt their generation process to the energy demand at a given moment, either by increasing or minimizing the amount of energy to be produced.
This process is done regulating the flow of water going to the turbines for the power generation process.
It is very economical and profitable
One of the main advantages of hydroelectric power is that the real expense is generated during the construction of the hydroelectric plant, but as a source of energy, it will always be available and free of charge.
Also, hydroelectricity It does not depend on the financial variations of the market.
Has a long shelf life
Hydroelectric complexes are built to have a long useful life, an average of 50 years, but the useful life is highly variable. They can be more than 60 years, inclusive They can last up to 150 years.
The productive utility time of hydroelectric plants is calculated by civil works builders and the materials used in construction, the type of dam built together with its size and certain environmental conditions such as erosion and sedimentation are taken into account.
It has a high energy yield
Hydroelectric plants are built to generate a huge amount of energy, so their energy efficiency is high, even many countries have it as their main source of electricity due to its potential.
That is why the energy performance of hydroelectric plants will always meet and exceed production expectations.
The water from the reservoirs can be used for other non-energy purposes
For its production, hydroelectric power has to have large water reservoirs for its immediate availability. However, this water is not for the exclusive use of the power plants, it is a natural resource available to the population.
The reservoirs are regularly recreation and tourism areas promoting local economic activity, in addition to using the water to drive the flow of rivers, depending on the water supply for agricultural and livestock activities.
Avoid energy dependence with other countries
This energy source is an alternative to minimize dependence on the outside in the energy issue.
In a nutshell, each country produces its energy without depending on the variables that create a dependency with other nations and that can sometimes be related to State interventionism over another State.
The variables or dependency factors are the importation of raw materials, fuels and parts or strategic parts, access to applied technologies, dependence on price control and many more.
Strengthens the economic activities of a population
Hydroelectric plants, in addition to generating energy, serve to boost the productive economy of a population.
They not only generate great employment opportunities during its construction, but also during all its phases. When put into operation, energy production activities usually rise to the rank of industry.
Likewise, it motorizes all the economic activities of the nearby populations such as tourism, commerce and public services, among many others.
The water from the reservoirs is reusable.
The water from the reservoirs is not only usable once during the energy generation process. The water resource can be used on several occasions, as it is reusable for energy production.
Disadvantages of hydropower
Generates environmental problems and nearby populations
To some extent hydroelectric power plants can seriously disturb the natural conditions in the areas close to the generating complex.
For the construction of reservoirs migration of entire populations may be required In addition, once installed they can flood nearby houses, destroy natural areas, in addition to affecting agricultural crops.
It is conditioned by climatic factors
To a large extent, this energy depends exclusively on hydrology. The entire generation system is conditioned by precipitation levels that are highly variable each year, causing instability in a certain way.
Nowadays phenomena such as El Niño and climate change directly affect their energy production.
It needs a large investment for the construction of the hydroelectric power station
The construction of a hydroelectric complex represents a high financial cost as well as the environmental adaptations for the use of the reservoirs.
However, once in operation, the maintenance related to productive operations is simple and economical.
Generates total modification of the natural environment
The construction of hydroelectric plants -as a large-scale civil work- generates consequences on nature, especially during the construction period.
The environmental impact produced by these works is so great that many specialists in the subject can describe them as agents of ecosystem destruction.
Not all places are suitable for energy use
For energy generation through hydroelectricity, it is necessary to have places designated for this purpose and that they can meet certain geographical conditions.
It must also have some natural characteristics that make full use of energy possible, for example, a large flow to be conducted towards the dam and the necessary height to increase the force of the water.
It can cause a great landscape impact
The use of energy through hydroelectricity generates a radical change in nature, among them it affects the natural landscape that is greatly provided with spectacular beauty.
Despite this intervention in the landscape, hydroelectric power plants are used as tourist spaces due to their natural beauty intervened by man and for being a large-scale civil work.
It is located far from populated centers
Most of the hydroelectric complexes are built on sites far removed from the large centers of consumption, which increases their financial costs for the erection of distribution lines to transport the generated energy to areas of high consumption.
Its construction is usually slow
A hydroelectric project can take more than 10 years to come to fruition, not counting the delays that occur in construction.
The execution time has innumerable variables that make the build longer.
Requires a large physical space
A hydroelectric power station transforms a large geographical space. In this sense, the entire energy complex requires a large area of land that can be used for other purposes.
In contrast, nuclear and wind power plants require much less physical space.
Sometimes it can cause significant damage to flora and fauna
The opening and closing of spillway systems generate serious problems in reservoirs and their tributaries. They constantly change the temperature and quality of water reserves, which seriously affect the plant and wildlife that inhabit this natural environment.