Hydroelectric Power Technology and its Effects on the...

For centuries, scientists and energy experts from all over the world have been making efforts to look for alternative resources in order to solve human being’s energy crisis. Consequently, a great number of renewable energy source have been discovered, including solar power, nuclear power, wind-generated power and hydroelectric power. This essay aims at giving some basic knowledge on hydroelectric power technology with focuses on its impacts on environment. Firstly, a brief introduction of hydroelectricity will be given, followed by some discussions regarding its effects on environment, then a conclusion will be drawn based on the discussions and some recommendations for the future at the end. Hydroelectricity is a renewable energy†¦show more content†¦Moreover, it helped reduce carbon dioxide by 190 million tonnes, sulfur dioxide by 2.29 million tonnes, and nitrogen oxides by 980,000 tonnes. (Ramaraochetlapalli 2013). Another advantage of a hydroelectricity water storage dam is that it be used as a source of drinking water and for recreational purposes such as boating and fishing. Reservoirs created by hydroelectric schemes often provide facilities for water sports and become tourist attractions themselves. In some countries, aquaculture in reservoirs is common. Multi-use dams installed for irrigation support agriculture with a relatively constant water supply. Large hydro dams can control floods, which would otherwise affect people living downstream of the project Despite all the advantages of implementing hydroelectric technology, building hydroelectricity dams can be a fetal threat to local wildlife animals. First of all, reservoir water is usually more stagnant than normal river waters; as a result, reservoir will contain higher amounts of nutrients and sediment in which an excess of algae and other aquatic weed can be cultivated. 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