Hydropowe

r
Table of contents
1 Is it renewable or non-renewable?
2 Is it sustainable?
3 What is the cost to produce this type of
energy?
4 environment during harvesting and
What are the impacts on the

5 use?
Is it suitable for the use in the Caribbean
and T&T?
6 Is it practical for widespread use?
Introduction
What is hydropower?

Hydropower or hydroelectric
power, generates electricity
through the use of kinetic
energy that is produced in
flowing water.
1.Is it renewable or non-renewable?
Hydropower or hydroelectric power is categorized as a renewable
energy source as it relies on the naturally cycling water movement
of which is spurred by the sun, without the use and depletion of
the Earth’s natural resources.

Hydropower is dependent on the hydrologic cycle in which water is

drawn from the surface by solar energy, becomes clouds, and
returns to the surface as rain. This cycle of water makes it
sustainable besides making sure that water is constantly available.

Contrary to the fossil energy sources, which are limited and

required millions of years to produce, water is infinite.
Hydroelectric power plants do not consume water, they just
harness the power in the form provided by flowing or falling water
to produce electricity, before releasing water back into its main
2.Is it sustainable?
Yes, hydropower is considered a sustainable form of energy, but
its sustainability depends on several factors. Hydropower is a
renewable resource because it harnesses the energy of flowing
water, which is constantly restored by the natural water cycle.

It is the most effective method of energy conversion since it

provides a steady and dependable supply of energy. The use of
hydropower energy is not without difficulties. These include the
possibility of large-scale dam construction upsetting regional
ecosystems, influencing fish migration, changing the quality of
the water, and resulting in the loss of habitat for both aquatic
and terrestrial wildlife.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Hydropower is a It has a greater starting cost. The
renewable energy source since it is building of hydropower plants,
based on the water cycle, which is particularly major dams, necessitates
powered by the sun. significant capital expenditure.
Water used in hydropower processes The management of water flow for
can be refilled naturally, ensuring an hydropower can have an impact on
uninterrupted supply. downstream water availability for
agricultural, drinking water, and
industrial purposes.
Hydropower produces electricity while Large reservoirs have the capacity to
generating no greenhouse gases or influence local climate conditions,
other pollutants, making it a clean and influencing weather patterns and
environmentally beneficial energy ecosystems.
source.
Hydropower reduces reliance on There are only a few ideal sites for
fossil fuels by producing a considerable large-scale hydropower projects, and
amount of electricity, so contributing to many of the better ones have already
energy safety and variety. been developed. This may limit future
3.What is the cost to produce this
energy?
Hydropower is the most efficient way to generate electricity.
Modern hydro turbines can convert as much as 90% of the
available energy into electricity. The best fossil fuel plants are
only about 50% efficient.
In the U.S., hydropower is produced for an average of 0.85
cents per kilowatt-hour (kwh). This is about 50% the cost of
nuclear, 40% the cost of fossil fuel, and 25% the cost of using
natural gas.

Only 2,400 of the nation's 80,000 existing dams in the U.S are
used to generate power. Installing turbines in existing dams
presents a promising and cost-effective power source.
However, in the last 10 years the Department of Energy has
spent $1.2 billion on research and development for other
renewable sources like wind, solar, and geothermal, but only
4. What are the impacts on the
environment during harvesting and use?
Hydropower, while offering renewable energy, has several
environmental impacts during both the construction/harvesting
phase and its ongoing use. Firstly, some impacts of hydropower
energy during harvest includes habitat disruption and
displacement of communities.

Firstly, The construction of dams often results in the flooding of

large areas, which can lead to the loss of terrestrial habitats and
biodiversity. Clearing of land for reservoirs and infrastructure can
result in deforestation, which leads to habitat destruction and
contributes to carbon emissions.
The alteration of landscapes forces animals to migrate, sometimes
leading to loss of species that are unable to adapt or relocate.
Lastly, Large hydropower projects often require the relocation of
communities living in the areas designated for reservoirs. This can
disrupt local livelihoods and cultural heritage, especially for
indigenous populations.

Some impacts during the use of hydropower include disruption of

aquatic ecosystems and greenhouse gas emissions from reservoirs.
First, Dams can block migration routes for fish species such as
salmon, leading to population declines. Fish ladders or bypass
systems are sometimes implemented but are not always effective.
Also, Regulated water releases from dams alter the natural flow of
rivers, which can affect the life cycles of aquatic species and the
health of downstream ecosystems.
Lastly, While hydropower itself emits very low greenhouse gases,
large reservoirs in tropical areas can produce methane and carbon
dioxide due to the decomposition of organic matter (e.g., trees and
plants) submerged in the water. This is particularly a concern in
warmer climates. Deep reservoirs may become oxygen-depleted
(hypoxic), releasing low-oxygen water downstream, which can be
harmful to aquatic species.
Pollution
Hydropowercaused by pollute
plants Hydropower
waterplants
in several
ways. They contribute to water
eutrophication by retaining nutrients in
reservoirs, promoting excessive algal
growth, and causing low oxygen levels,
endangering aquatic species.

Stagnant water in reservoirs can cause low

oxygen levels downstream and other
environmental problems. Furthermore, the
decomposition of organic matter in
submerged areas can release toxic
substances such as methylmercury into
the water, endangering animal and human
health.
5. Is it suitable for the use in the
Caribbean and T&T?
Most hydropower plants cannot be widely deployed in the
Caribbean and Trinidad and Tobago due to a variety of
geographical, environmental, and climatic constraints. In
general, Caribbean island geography lacks the large rivers and
significant height-of-fall required by conventional hydropower
systems, which rely on substantial water flow and gravity to
generate electricity.

Trinidad and Tobago, for example, has a very flat landscape with
sparse river systems, making it difficult to build large dams and
reservoirs. In larger islands with hydropower potential, the scale
is frequently too small to be relevant to national energy needs.
Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, tropical storms, and
protracted droughts are a significant source of vulnerability, and
they are all made worse by climate change. The area is
particularly vulnerable to hurricanes, which have the potential to
seriously damage hydroelectric infrastructure, such as dams,
necessitating expensive repairs and possibly raising safety
issues.

The frequency of flooding and drought in the area may also have
an impact on the dependability of hydropower by limiting the
amount of water available or overloading equipment. While rapid
flooding can interfere with reservoirs and dams, causing water
damage downstream or to the dam itself, prolonged droughts
may result in lesser flows, which could impact the dependability
and efficiency of hydropower generation.
However, hydropower is still regarded as a feasible alternative in
the region's efforts to create a low-carbon community, even in
light of the previous limitations. Indeed, in an effort to find
cleaner energy sources, the Caribbean region which includes
several countries, including Trinidad and Tobago keeps working to
de-fossilize its power infrastructure. While large-scale hydropower
projects might not be feasible, there is still hope for smaller-scale
initiatives like run-of-the-river or micro-hydropower plans that
don't rely heavily on dams or reservoirs.

By harnessing the natural flow of smaller rivers, these systems

can produce electricity while causing minimal disruption to the
environment and providing a renewable energy source.
6. Is it practical for widespread use?
Hydropower can be practical for widespread use under certain
conditions, but its feasibility varies depending on geographic,
economic, and environmental factors. Hydropower provides a
continuous and reliable source of electricity, unlike intermittent
renewable sources like solar and wind. This makes it particularly
practical for base-load power generation in regions with abundant
water resources.

Some challenges with widespread hydropower are that It requires

specific geographic features such as rivers with sufficient flow and
elevation changes. Many regions, particularly flat or arid areas,
lack suitable sites for large-scale hydropower plants. The most
favorable locations for hydropower (e.g., mountainous regions or
areas with high rainfall) have already been developed, limiting
the potential for new large-scale projects.
As discussed earlier, large dams can have significant
environmental impacts, including habitat destruction, altered river
ecosystems, and displacement of local communities. These
concerns often lead to opposition from environmental groups and
affected populations, limiting the expansion of new projects.
Currently, Hydropower is already widely used in countries like
Norway, Brazil, and Canada, where abundant water resources
make it a practical choice.

These countries generate a significant portion of their electricity

from hydropower (Norway is almost 100% hydropower-powered).
Developing nations with large rivers, like Ethiopia or Laos, are also
investing heavily in hydropower as a means to expand electricity
access. Differently, In desert regions or lowland areas, hydropower
is often not a viable option due to a lack of sufficient water
resources. Countries with variable rainfall or where rivers freeze
during winters may also find hydropower less practical.
HYDROPO
WER
PLANTS