Positive Impacts
This is a map featuring the waterfall frequency in Iceland.
“Approximately 20% of the world’s electricity was produced by hydroelectric plants in 2006, representing about 88% of the electricity from renewable sources.”
There are many types of fuels and energy, but it can normally be categorized into two groups: Renewable resources and nonrenewable resources. Renewable sources includes wind, solar and hydroelectric power. All of these have been used by United States. The graph above depicts the energy ratio the country has been using. It shows that hydroelectric energy takes up 7.1% of the nations, whilst exceeding the well-known Petroleum. There are various reasons of why hydroelectric power has been a prominent alternate source.
1) The energy is environmentally friendly,it reduces carbon emission. Firstly, although the process of constructing the dam might requires a small degree of carbon emission, but in the long term, hydroelectricity does not emit carbon dioxide.
2) Flexibility:
The scale or size of hydroelectric dams can be altered to adapt to different environments. There are small scale hydroelectric dams presented in the market, namely, the Pico. It is a type of hydroelectric dams that generates electricity under 5 kW. Unlike other major projects, Pico turbines are often local and domestic friendly. This provides electricity access to remote regions, moreover, they are relatively affordable and efficient for developing countries.
3) Hydroelectric dams can function dependent on a single waterfall. Considering the abundant amount of waterfalls scattered around the world, it is a convenient source, moreover, hydroelectricity is a prevalent source unlike wind which is a variable source. Although two are reliant on nature, hydroelectric power can be control by man artificially.
4) Tackle Poverty
Investment of hydroelectric energy are beneficial towards resolving poverty in deprived countries. Three Gorges Dam project allocated near the Wu and Yangtze river has bring electricity to deprive villages near the plant such as Fuling. In an account featured in national geographic, a local member of the recall how his apartment has no access to electricity due to poverty. The dam has brought power to the village, improving their living standards.
1) The energy is environmentally friendly,it reduces carbon emission. Firstly, although the process of constructing the dam might requires a small degree of carbon emission, but in the long term, hydroelectricity does not emit carbon dioxide.
2) Flexibility:
The scale or size of hydroelectric dams can be altered to adapt to different environments. There are small scale hydroelectric dams presented in the market, namely, the Pico. It is a type of hydroelectric dams that generates electricity under 5 kW. Unlike other major projects, Pico turbines are often local and domestic friendly. This provides electricity access to remote regions, moreover, they are relatively affordable and efficient for developing countries.
3) Hydroelectric dams can function dependent on a single waterfall. Considering the abundant amount of waterfalls scattered around the world, it is a convenient source, moreover, hydroelectricity is a prevalent source unlike wind which is a variable source. Although two are reliant on nature, hydroelectric power can be control by man artificially.
4) Tackle Poverty
Investment of hydroelectric energy are beneficial towards resolving poverty in deprived countries. Three Gorges Dam project allocated near the Wu and Yangtze river has bring electricity to deprive villages near the plant such as Fuling. In an account featured in national geographic, a local member of the recall how his apartment has no access to electricity due to poverty. The dam has brought power to the village, improving their living standards.