Hydropower as a Battery?

Interpretation

Hydropower is energy that is produced from running water that can be utilized in place of conventional forms of energy. Hydropower can be an improved alternative form of energy due to its renewable nature. Hydropower as a battery source can reduce our carbon footprint.

Analysis

Use of water as an energy source dates back to when early civilizations, such as Mesopotamians, developed irrigation to develop agriculture. These early irrigation systems led to watermills and water wheels which were used in industries such as lumber and timber. These early forms of hydropower led to the creation of dams which were used to generate electricity. Despite the long use of hydropower, it has increasingly fallen out of favor in our modern era as a form of alternative energy. This has been a result of ineffective ways of harvesting the power of water as dams take up a lot of environmental space. Recent technological advances have ensured that hydropower can be obtained more efficiently and in a less cost-effective manner. “Hydroelectric energy is responsible worldwide for some 2600 TWh of electricity output per year, which means about 20% of the world's entire electricity demand, making it one of the most reliable and cost effective renewable energy sources.” (Balat 2006; p. 965). Hydropower can be efficient as large amounts of energy can be created with minimal effort. The efficiency of hydropower has resulted in its increased use around the world especially in developing countries. International organizations have also contributed to this increased use as they have encouraged developing countries to utilize hydropower. 

Hydropower is also a flexible form of energy as it can be utilized with other forms of energy, such as wind, to increase its output. “It is well established within both the economics and power system engineering literature that hydropower can act as a complement to large amounts of intermittent energy. In particular hydropower can act as a "battery" where large amounts of wind power are installed” (Mauritzen 2012; para. 1). This demonstrates that hydropower can be used in not only large expansive unity buts also as a form of battery which can complement other forms of energy to increase the efficiency of both energy sources. The complementary use of hydropower can be beneficial for developing countries which may not have the capacity to develop full-scale hydropower plants. Hydropower can be used in numerous setting in a variety of ways to develop energy. 

On a large scale, environmental level hydropower can make an impact on the carbon footprint that is being left on the planet. Conventional forms of energy have contributed to global warming. These forms of energy produce large amount of carbon dioxide into the air which hydropower does not. “There is substantial potential for reducing the ecological footprint within a decade by using both new and conventional technologies and alternative fuels. In the best-case scenario, a 75% reduction of the ecological footprint would be possible” (Holden, 2005; p. 395). Alternate forms of energy have been sought for many years by government-owned energy companies to reduce the impact fossil fuels such as coal and natural gases have had on the environment. Hydropower has existed for centuries however it has not been utilized to the full extent that it could. Increased research and use of hydropower can make an even bigger impact on climate change. 

Evaluation

The research found focused mainly on the positive aspects of hydropower. These sources were biased in their discussion of the effectiveness of hydropower. “The major barriers to uptake of this technology are the high upfront costs for civil works and equipment, technical expertise for design and construction and the lengthy approval process” (Ranjitkar, 2006; p. 1). By not covering the barriers of implementing hydropower the research is not complete. 

Hydropower can be the first step in implementing change which can alter the effects of global warming on our planet. Hydropower needs to be developed and explored more in order to be implemented as an efficient battery. I have grown up in a region where energy has always been abundantly available. If I had grown up in a developing nation my views towards fossil fuels versus hydropower may be different. 

References

Balat, Mustafa. "Hydropower systems and hydropower potential in the European Union countries." Energy Sources, Part A 28.10 (2006): 965-978.

Holden, Erling, and Karl Georg Høyer. "The ecological footprints of fuels." Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment 10.5 (2005): 395-403.

Mauritzen, Johannes. "Dead Battery? Wind Power, The Spot Market, and Hydro Power Interaction in the Nordic Electricity Market." (2012).

Ranjitkar, Ghanashyam, Jinxing Huang, and Tony Tung. "Application of micro-hydro power technology for remote regions." EIC Climate Change Technology, 2006 IEEE. IEEE, 2006.