Characteristics of Hydropower

Hydropower is a renewable resource that has many advantages over other sources of electrical power.

Hydropower plants:

• have very low operating and maintenance costs because they consume no fossil or nuclear fuel and,
• do not involve high-temperature processes

The equipment is relatively simple to operate and maintain. This means that hydro plants require fewer operating or maintenance personnel compared to thermal and thermo-nuclear power plants. Since hydropower equipment can adjust rapidly to load changes, this considerably enhances system operational flexibility. Also, the unique characteristics of hydro plants are conducive to automation, which provides even greater flexibility and reduced operation and maintenance costs (O&M).

The extended equipment life provides significant economic advantages. Some hydroelectric plants installed 100 years ago still operate reliably. Because hydroelectric plants burn no fuel, there is no air pollution, acid rain, or need for hazardous waste disposal associated with their operation.

The capital-intensive aspect of hydropower development is a benefit in an inflationary period because long-term financing ensures relatively stable annual costs.

Fuel, the most inflationary component of O&M costs at other kinds of generating plants, is eliminated.

Hydropower development also is attractive when low-interest loans are available.

In summary, hydropower has the advantage of being a renewable resource that conserves depleting fuel supplies. It is a highly efficient way to generate electricity. Hydropower gives great flexibility in operating an electric system particularly because of its rapid response time and short-term and long-range storage. A century of development has resulted in highly reliable and durable equipment. Typical equipment lifetimes far exceed the amortization period, resulting in very favorable long-term economic benefits. The absence of non-renewable fuel costs, coupled with reliability and simplicity, results in extremely low O&M costs.

Hydropower is dependent on precipitation that can be highly variable. Some sites, far from established communities, warehouses, machining facilities, and available skilled labor, may require building all of those facilities at the site-including dormitories, food services, and recreation facilities for the workers. Each project requires a careful appraisal of environmental, institutional, and economic factors.

ADVANTAGES OF HYDROPOWER:

• Hydropower is fueled by water, so it’s a clean fuel source, meaning it won’t pollute the air like power plants that burn fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas.
• Hydroelectric power is a domestic source of energy, allowing each state to produce its own energy without being reliant on international fuel sources.
• The energy generated through hydropower relies on the water cycle, which is driven by the sun, making it a renewable power source, making it a more reliable and affordable source than fossil fuels that are rapidly being depleted.
• Impoundment hydropower creates reservoirs that offer a variety of recreational opportunities, notably fishing, swimming, and boating. Most water power installations are required to provide some public access to the reservoir to allow the public to take advantage of these opportunities.
• Some hydropower facilities can quickly go from zero power to maximum output. Because hydropower plants can generate power to the grid immediately, they provide essential backup power during major electricity outages or disruptions.
• In addition to a sustainable fuel source, hydropower efforts produce a number of benefits, such as flood control, irrigation, and water supply.