Advantages Of Hydroelectric Power

Introduction

The following research essay will be investigating multiple factors in order to determine, to what extent Hydroelectric power is feasible for South Africa? The factors that will be investigated and explained are what hydroelectric power/how is does it work, types of hydroelectric power plants, advantages and disadvantages, does South Africa have the right supply of suitable resources for hydroelectric power.

What is hydroelectric power/how does it work

Hydroelectric power is a renewable resource that harnesses the kinetic energy that is contained in running/flowing water and converts that energy into electricity. The system of a hydroelectric power plant commonly consists of three parts a large body of water that is able to be stored, a dam that can be open/closed for control of the water flow as well as a power plant where the electricity is produced, the electricity can then be distributed and transported by long-distance electric lines to wherever the electricity is needed (this process is visually shown in figure 1). Electricity is produced through the kinetic energy of the water once it flows through the opening behind the dam, forcing blades within the turbine (which can be seen in figure 2) to turn resulting in the turbine spinning a generator that produces the electricity. The amount of electricity that can be produced is depending on the quantity of water that moves through the system and how far the water drops.[Christina Nunez]

The types of hydroelectric power

All hydroelectric power plants are based on harnessing the kinetic energy produced through moving/flowing water, there are different types of hydroelectric facilities. The different hydroelectric facilities include Impoundment Facilities which makes use of dams to store water from a river and then the water is released from the dam to flow through and spin turbines, Diversion Facilities channels part of a flowing river via a canal, or Pumped Storage Hydropower pump water from one reservoir into a second which is at a higher elevation and this is meant for the storage of electricity made by other energy sources[Inspire]

Advantages

• Hydroelectricity is a renewable energy source meaning that the supply of water should never run out as it is continuously being evaporated forming clouds which will then fall back to earth as rain, snow, etc. The process also doesn’t need to take any resources away from the environment.
• This source of energy can be classified as a clean and green alternative energy source, because the process does not create or emit many harmful greenhouse gases or toxins that could pollute our earth.[Allison Jenson]
• Hydroelectric power is not only beneficial towards our environment but also towards humans by not releasing more pollutants as well as hydroelectric development not generating any toxic by-products, the air we breathe becomes more clean which can possibly decrease lung related diseases and other problems caused by other sources of energy (coal, oil, wood, etc.) which produce pollutants.
• This source of energy can be considered stable and reliable as the water used to produce the energy is a renewable source as well as there being no issues with the generation of electric power, there are multiple countries that use hydroelectricity as a main source of energy which shows that this alternative energy source has a successful potential.
• The process of hydroelectric power consists of fewer part and so minimal replacements are needed and it requires low maintenance and operating cost, when hydropower plants are implanted they are built for long term use meaning that electricity can be captured from these sites for long periods of time[Natalie Regoli].

Bibliography

1. https://sciencing.com/info-8619867-factors-affecting-selection-hydroelectric-station.html
2. https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/investments-immigration/business/economy/infrastructure/hydroelectric
3. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/hydropower/
4. https://www.helloinspire.com/blog/clean-power/what-is-hydroelectric-power
5. https://www.manufacturing.net/article/2018/09/examining-pros-and-cons-hydropower
6. https://connectusfund.org/10-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-hydroelectricity
7. http://www.waterafrica.co.za/index.php/features/infrastructure/29-sa-looks-to-retrofit-for-hydropower#targetText=According%20to%20the%20latest%20figures,is%2014%20000GWh%20per%20year.