Is Hydropower Viable?
It is seen that the construction of power production stations of most of renewable sources of energy are quite costly. Hydro electric power station installations are also very costly.
For hydroelectric power, the initial costs of building are high and the period of construction of dams is long due to the time taken to relocate all the living things originally placed in the site. It also is quite difficult to channelize required amount of water into the dam. But, in the long run it is seen that the cost of production of power is quite cheap, hen calculated on an overall long term basis.
Once the basic structures are built the process becomes quite simple because, water is free and is also a renewable resource.
When compared to the cost of production of other power production is very low, it is almost half when compared to that of power production using coal. Also there are no techno- barriers in hydro power production, because all technologies are quite established.
When the construction of hydroelectric power plant is properly handled a lot of water can be conserved and used up for irrigation and other household uses. This makes the construction of dams multipurpose. It is used as a flood control mechanism also and a reservoir for the associated wetland flora and fauna.
For the multiplication of fishes a ladder system can be provided, thereby making the water stored restore the natural environment of the fishes and other organisms. Thus with one establishment cost many purposes can be solved, along with the conservation of the ecosystem.
The clean energy generated every year offers a valuable alternate for the very polluting and carbon and sulphur di oxide emitting other non renewable sources of energy, and reducing the amount of acid rains.
The viability of hydro electricity can be understood from the fact that more and more countries are increasing the production of electicity from water. 82% of power generated in the US is from hydroelectricity, Japan produces 84% of its energy from water followed by more than 80% in France and 73% in Germany. China, which primarily depends on its large coal deposits, has also started to turn its attention towards hydropower.
Generally the pay back period of hydropower is after 5-8 years, this period onwards the returns are very stable and the maintenance becomes simple. Having a power project in hilly terrains also reduces the cost of construction because, here we can use adjoining hills as a natural barrier for water and construct a structure to control the flow of water alone.
This kind of structure is helpful to restore the agricultural landscape of the area, it broadens the recreational quality and also makes the environment more healthy and picturesque.
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