Hydropower, the energy in moving water, is one of the world’s greatest sources of electricity – with vast economic and energy security benefits to boot. Humans have been utilizing this incredible resource for thousands of years, as it was one of the first sources of energy used for electricity generation. While people of the past used water wheels spun by rivers to process grains and cloth, we now have powerful hydroelectric plants that capture this kinetic energy from the water and convert it into electrical energy. Hydropower currently provides about 16 percent of the world’s electricity and was America’s largest source of total annual renewable electricity generation until last year, generating power in 48 U.S. states.
Unlike fossil fuels, which pollute the air, hydropower is a clean, emission-free source of electricity. As a renewable resource that relies on the sun and the water, hydropower is a far more reliable resource in the long-term than fossil fuels, which are being rapidly depleted and cannot be counted on to meet our energy needs forever.
In addition to being a sustainable fuel source, hydropower efforts produce an extensive number of other benefits, such as flood control, irrigation, and water supply. One of the greatest benefits of hydropower as an energy source is its capacity to strengthen energy security. Hydroelectricity tends to be locally harnessed, enabling states to produce their own energy and reducing reliance on international fuel sources.
Hydropower: Myths vs. Facts:
Myth: Environmentalists oppose hydropower because it is impossible to build and maintain dams in a way that protects wildlife.
Fact: The nation’s leading industry and environmental groups, including the Union of Concerned Scientists and World Wildlife Fund, agree that hydropower can play an important role in combatting climate change. Just a few weeks ago, they jointly released suggested policy measures to safely generate more electricity from dams.
Myth: Renewable energies like hydropower are too expensive to produce in comparison to fossil fuels.
Fact: Hydropower is actually much more affordable than other forms of energy. Not only does it cost far less than fossil fuels, but it is also the cheapest form of renewable energy. It costs an average of $0.05 per kilowatt hour (kWh) while oil and gas typically range from $0.05/kWh to over $0.15/kWh. Once a dam has been built and the equipment installed, the energy source – flowing water – is free.
Myth: Hydropower plants are invasive and take away from the recreational enjoyment of our local water sources.
Fact: The most common type of hydroelectric plants are impoundment facilities, which use dams to store water in a reservoir, where it is released and spun through a turbine, activating a generator to produce electricity. The reservoirs created by impoundment facilities create a plethora of recreational opportunities, such as fishing, swimming, and boating. Most hydropower installations are required to provide some public access to the reservoir to allow the public to take advantage of these opportunities.
Myth: Hydropower is not able to match the same electricity output as fossil fuels and cannot fulfill human demand for electric power.
Fact: Hydropower plants can actually supply large amounts of electricity, and they are relatively easy to adjust for demand by controlling the flow of water through the turbines. Some hydropower facilities can quickly go from zero power to maximum output. Because hydropower plants can generate power to the grid immediately, they already provide essential back-up power during major electricity outages or disruptions.