Hydropower and Future Environmental Policies

The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry

Hydropower refers to energy conversion from flowing water into electricity. Due to water recycling by the Sun, hydropower is widely accepted as a form of renewable energy. A sustainable project is possible only when there is appropriate planning, efficient system design to tackle societal and environmental issues, and continuous adaptation to changing conditions. It is important to update knowledge

IntechOpen eBooks, 2021

Renewable energy sources are gaining momentum in power sector mainly to address the impacts of climate change as well as the risks associated with usage of fossil fuels or nuclear energy sources. Hydropower is one of the most promising renewable energy source-based power plant that hold significant shares globally. But there are series of risks associated with hydropower project when we talk about sustainability and needs are felt to critically understand the pertaining risks as well as protocols or measures to quantify the risks. Such measure will prove to be crucial in underlining the strategic measures from planning, construction and operation phases of hydropower keeping on account of its sustainability.

—Hydropower creates fewer pollution and climate problems than fossil fuel power, as they create reservoirs of clean water, which to some are both pleasing to the eye and a place for tranquil recreation. They promise control of flooding, provide a steady supply of water for irrigation and, with time, a source of fresh fish. Hydroelectric power is a source of green energy because it makes use of water-a free abundant and inherently benign medium. It takes advantage of gravity, transforming energy from flowing water into electricity in a process that is at once clean and carbon free. Hydroelectric projects are the energy source with lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to Thermal Coal, Thermal Natural gas, solar, wind & nuclear. Hydropower is also worldwide recognized as the renewable energy source

With the energy becoming the current catch phase in business, industry and society, energy alternative are becoming increasingly popular. Hydroelectricity exists as one option to meet the growing demand for energy and also a reliable renewable resource. In simple terms, inexpensive and reliable electricity is critical to the sustained economic growth and security of any nation. Today's world is dependent on reliable, low cost and abundant energy. In nature energy cannot be created or destroyed, but its form can change. People have been using water to their advantage for thousands of years. With the passage of the time they are now using moving water for power generation. By using water for power generation, people have worked nature to achieve a better life style. In generating hydropower electricity kinetic energy of moving water is converted to electrical energy. Since water is the initial source of energy, we call this hydroelectric power or hydropower in short. Worldwide, an...

Hydropower - Practice and Application, 2012

Energy Policy, 2002

Technically feasible hydropower potential estimated at nearly 15 000 TW h/yr still exists in the world today, mostly in countries where increased power supplies from clean and renewable sources are most urgently needed to progress social and economic development. While it is not realistic to assume that all of this potential will be developed in the short or even medium term, it is clear that hydro has a substantial role to play in world energy supply. It can also offer a number of environmental and technical advantages, in terms of avoided generation based on fossil fuels. This paper reviews the current role hydropower is playing in the world, along with some its inherent benefits, and then looks at the remaining potential, and some specific development plans in various regions of the world. Attention is drawn to the advantages of developing hydropower as part of a multipurpose water resources scheme, often enabling it to subsidize other valuable functions of a reservoir or river system.

The study focuses on the Environmental Factors that are necessary for Hydroelectric Power Generation. . The hydroelectric power plant instructional device was designed for showing the similar process of hydroelectric power plant in generating electricity to the small villages. Based on the evaluation conducted, the factors were proven to be highly acceptable based on the given criteria on aesthetics, functionality and reliability. The study really supports the findings of the researchers about the project. The research project “Environmental Factors Necessary for Hydroelectric Power Generation.” will be used in laboratory purposes and the findings can also help our instructors in demonstrating and explaining about hydroelectric power plant.

Hydropower - Practice and Application, 2012

Slow down growth and protect the environment "sustainable development" Grow and meet today's development needs without compromising future generations "corporate social responsibility" Economic, social and environmental performance all matter

Scholarly Research Journal for Humanity Science & English Language, , 2023

The concept of living in harmony with nature is as old as humankind. However, a modern conception emerged in the term 'sustainable development' with the rise of green movements in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Sustainable development can be defined as an approach to the economic development of a country without compromising with the quality of the environment for future generations. This definition captured the spirit of the times whereby government, business, and civil society have strived to make development sustainable. Hydropower accounts for 16% of all global electricity production and it is one of the world's most widely used renewable, low-carbon energy resources. It plays an important role in enabling communities around the world to meet their power and water needs. In some regions the pace of hydropower growth has been rapid but with little guidance to ensure development is sustainable. However, some of the most promising and influential initiatives to improve development, such as the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol, have been driven by the hydropower sector itself. This paper addresses the progress that hydropower has made in the context of sustainable development over the past 15 years. The concept of sustainable development does imply limits, not absolute limits but limitations imposed by the present state of technology and social organizations on environmental resources and by the ability of the biosphere to absorb the effects of human activities. But technology and social organization can both be managed and improved to make way for a new era of economic growth.

The inherent technical, economic and environmental benefits of hydroelectric power make it an important contributor to the future world energy mix, particularly in the developing countries. These countries have a great and ever-intensifying need for power and water supplies and they also have greatest remaining hydro potential.