Hydroelectric power is a type of renewable energy that allows us to obtain electricity in a way that is as simple as using the water stored in reservoirs. It is an energy that has a large number of advantages, but also some disadvantages. In fact, it is a type of energy that is especially recommended when it comes to offering a continuous energy supply, although very specific and limited. If you want to know a little more about the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric power , as well as some technical aspects of how this type of energy works, continue reading EcologíaVerde and we will tell you all about it.
What is hydropower and how does it work?
Before we start talking about the positive and negative effects of hydropower , let’s briefly talk about what it is and how it works.
Hydropower is a type of energy obtained from water stored in reservoirs. These reservoirs are made up of a natural space (usually a valley) through which a river flows. At one of the strategic points in the valley, a dam is built that has a dual function.
On the one hand, the dam serves to store water, turning the initial river into a large reservoir, and on the other, the dam has a system that allows water to fall from the highest points of the dam. In this way, when the water falls, it is made to pass through a series of turbines that begin to turn due to the effect of the fall of the water. Consequently, the rotation of the turbines produces electricity , so we get hydroelectric energy that is sent directly to the places where humans need it.
For more information, continue reading this article and don’t miss this video from EcologíaVerde on what hydraulic energy is.
Advantages of hydraulic energy
As we have mentioned, the energy obtained from the movement of water against turbines has several advantages and, for these reasons, it is widely used today, but in reality it has been used for a very long time. These are the main advantages of hydraulic energy :
It is a renewable energy
One of the main advantages of hydropower is that it is a renewable energy. As energy is obtained from falling water, and water is obtained from rain, it is an energy that will always be available, since its use does not entail a possible depletion of the resource thanks to the evaporation and rain cycle of the water itself.
It is a clean energy
On the other hand, in addition to being a renewable energy, it is also a clean energy. The use of hydroelectric power does not involve the production of waste of any kind, which makes it a form of energy production that does not involve the generation of physical or chemical waste, as well as greenhouse gases.
It has a very stable energy production
In addition, unlike other types of renewable energy , hydroelectric power has the advantage that its electricity production is very stable. In the case of wind or solar energy, on days when there is no wind or the sky is cloudy, its production stops. However, this does not happen with hydroelectric power, since the water used to produce electricity comes from rainwater, but from rainwater that has been previously stored in the respective reservoirs. Therefore, if one day it does not rain, electricity can still be produced because there is stored water.
Flexible production thanks to water flow
On the other hand, in addition to being a very stable energy in its production, it also has a flexible and adaptable production. To do this, it is enough to regulate the flow of water that is allowed to pass through, which makes the turbines generate more or less energy depending on what is required at any given time.
It is a completely safe energy
Finally, it cannot be overlooked that this is a completely safe energy. As it does not produce polluting waste that affects health and does not lead to possible accidents, as is the case with nuclear energy , we are dealing with one of the safest energies that we can use.
Disadvantages of hydraulic power
Finally, although it is a type of energy that has many advantages, it is also important to know what the disadvantages and drawbacks of hydraulic energy are :
It depends on the rains and droughts
This is perhaps its biggest disadvantage. While it is true that it is a renewable energy, it is also true that it depends directly on the cycles of rain and drought. In this way, it is an energy that offers very good results in times of abundant rainfall but, in periods of drought, it is not enough to meet energy demand.
Limited places for installation
It should also be noted that, unlike solar or wind energy, hydraulic energy depends on the conditions of the terrain in order to be used. In this way, different hydraulic power stations can be installed on the same river. However, it must be taken into account that it will be necessary to have a sufficient height for the fall of water to be useful, as well as an appropriate topography for the creation of the corresponding hydraulic power stations.
Environmental impact
On the other hand, one of the most important disadvantages of hydroelectric power that cannot be ignored is that, despite being a clean and renewable energy, it has a considerable impact on the environment, especially on river ecosystems . To use hydroelectric power, it is necessary to build a hydroelectric power station, which implies its respective dam. This means cutting off the natural flow of the river, which has a significant negative impact on the fauna that lives in it. Likewise, the construction of a reservoir involves the transformation of a terrestrial ecosystem into an aquatic one and, although the transformation can have positive effects, it is undeniable that it implies the destruction of the previous terrestrial ecosystem.
The initial investment is expensive
Finally, another disadvantage of hydropower is that its initial cost is very high. The construction of hydropower plants involves a considerable investment of capital, as well as a considerable amount of time from the initial design of the project to its implementation and commissioning. However, it is also true that, once the hydropower plant is completed, the energy obtained is cheap.
If you want to learn about more types of water energy, we recommend reading these other articles on What is mini-hydro energy and how it works , Blue or osmotic energy: what it is, advantages and disadvantages , What is the kinetic energy of water and What is wave energy .
