Hydroelectric

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Focus

On Alternative Energy

Hydroelectric Power
What is Hydroelectric Power (Hydropower)?
Hydroelectric power comes from the natural flow of water. The energy is produced by the fall of
water turning the blades of a turbine. The turbine is connected to a generator that converts the
energy into electricity. The amount of electricity a system can produce depends on the quantity
of water passing through a turbine (the volume of water flow) and the height from which the
water ‘falls’ (head). The greater the flow and the head, the more electricity produced.
Why Wind?
Hydropower is a clean, domestic, and renewable source of energy. It provides inexpensive
electricity and produces no pollution. Unlike fossil fuels, hydropower does not destroy water
during the production of electricity. Hydropower is the only renewable source of energy that can
replace fossil fuels’ electricity production while satisfying growing energy needs.

Hydroelectric systems vary in size and application. Micro-hydroelectric plants are the smallest
types of hydroelectric systems. They can generate between 1 kW and 1 MW of power and are
ideal for powering smaller services such as processing machines, small farms, and communities.
Large hydroelectric systems can produce large amounts of electricity. These systems can be used
to power large communities and cities.

Why Hydropower?
Technical Feasibility
Hydropower is the most energy efficient power generator. Currently, hydropower is capable of
converting 90% of the available energy into electricity. This can be compared to the most
efficient fossil fuel plants, which are only 60% efficient.

The principal advantages of using hydropower are its large renewable domestic resource base,
the absence of polluting emissions during operation, its capability in some cases to respond
quickly to utility load demands, and its very low operating costs. Hydroelectric projects also
include beneficial effects such as recreation in reservoirs or in the water below dams.

Renewability
Hydropower is renewable because it draws its essential energy from the sun that drives the
hydrological cycle, which in turn provides a continuous renewable supply of water. Since water
is not altered as it goes through the turbines, it can be used to produce more electricity or be used
in other sources.
Environmental Benefits
Considering the electric industry that exists today, hydropower has a distinct advantage over
fossil fueled generator plants: it is clean, green and renewable. Hydropower does not contribute
to local air pollution. Other energy generators are an important source of air, water, and soil
pollution and greenhouse gases, and provide fewer opportunities for economic spin-offs.

Hydro developments are subject to extremely demanding environmental standards. Before a


project can be developed, it must go through a rigorous process that examines the impact the
project would have on the environment and on local communities. Water flow, water quality,
water shed, management, fish passage, habitat protection, as well as the welfare and lifestyle of
the local communities are taken into consideration.

Cost Effectiveness
In comparing hydropower to other energy generators, the other generators take less time to
design, obtain approval, build and recover investment. However, they have higher operating
costs and typically shorter operating lives (about 25 years).

A hydropower plant has a high capital cost but maintenance costs are only minimal when looking
at some other sources of energy production. The plant life can be extended economically by
relatively cheap maintenance and the periodic replacement of equipment (replacement of turbine
runners, rewinding generators, etc). Typically a hydro plant in service for 40-50 years can have
its operating life doubled.

Comparing the cost of electricity with the initial investment of a hydropower system, the pay
back period is short. Theoretically, a hydro plant should be able to produce electricity for a fixed
amount during the life span of the unit. The operating costs should not change because there is
no associated price to the water. Unlike in fossil fuel plants, the price of natural gas, coal, etc.
fluctuates depending on what the market is doing.

What are Some Problems with Hydropower?


There are few problems with hydropower. The first hydropower plants installed did not take into
consideration environmental effects. Now, much effort is made to insure that there are minimal
environmental and social affects on the surrounding areas. The biggest draw back to hydropower
is the high initial cost but this cost can be recovered quickly due to low operating and
maintenance costs.

In the past hydro sites were easier to develop because environmental requests were less stringent
and there was less public opposition. New locations for hydro sites are more difficult to develop
because of environmental concerns. Micro hydro is generally easier to develop because these
can be implemented with minimal change to the water flow or surrounding areas.

For More Information


Katrina Sexton, P. Eng. Phone (403) 329-1212
3000 College Drive South Fax (403) 328-5562
Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 1L6 E-mail katrina.sexton@gov.ab.ca

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