Dear MEL Topic Readers,
The most
powerful renewable energy
Ever since
commercial electricity production began in 1870, electricity generation has
been increasing steadily, and recently rapidly, to light houses and power
computers. Though renewable energies, such as wind, solar and biofuels are taking
some share, the combined total of these cleaner power represents less than 10%
of the total power generation. Still, it is coal that generates the most
electricity followed by natural gas. Combined, these two fossil fuels produce
over 60% of the total power generation. The problem is the emissions of
pollutants and greenhouse gases from fossil fuel-based electricity generation
account for a significant portion of world greenhouse gas emissions. On the
bright side, hydroelectric power plants, which emit the smallest amount of
greenhouse gas per generated power, produces about 16% of the total, far higher
than Nuclear’s 10%.
The mechanism
of hydropower is simple. It basically drops water from a high point to a lower
point where turbines are waiting to spin. Sounds simple and eco-friendly, doesn’t
it? However, this process usually takes place in water dams which were built with
a significant impact on the environment and water ecosystem. Think of fish
species that need to swim up to lay eggs like salmon. How can they clear the spinning
turbines and blades of the powerplant? Also, there is a concrete wall and height
they need to pass through.
To overcome
these environmental challenges, some people are working on developing eco-friendly,
sustainable hydropower plants.
Enjoy
reading the article and learn about the challenges to build eco-friendly hydropower plants.
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