Why are hydroelectric power stations found in mountainous areas?

Why are hydroelectric power stations found in mountainous areas?

The greater the height difference between turbine and water source (also known as “head”), the greater the kinetic energy and hence power generation potential. Most hydroelectricity schemes are therefore built in mountainous regions.

Why are hydropower projects in the Himalayas risky?

The thermal profile of ice, say experts, was increasing, which means that the temperature of ice that used to range from -6 to -20 degree C, was now -2 degree C, making it more susceptible to melting. It was these changing phenomena that made infrastructure projects in the Himalayan regions risky.

What are the negative effects of hydroelectric power?

Hydropower has the ability to generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gasses. However, it can also cause environmental and social threats, such as damaged wildlife habitat, harmed water quality, obstructed fish migration, and diminished recreational benefits of rivers.

What are the environmental impacts of hydroelectric power?

Flooding land for a hydroelectric reservoir has an extreme environmental impact: it destroys forest, wildlife habitat, agricultural land, and scenic lands. In many instances, such as the Three Gorges Dam in China, entire communities have also had to be relocated to make way for reservoirs [3].

How do mountains help in the production of electricity?

Mountains have considerable potential for sustainable energy production, through hydro-, wind, solar or geothermal power, which can benefit both remote mountain communities and downstream cities. However, many sustainable energy sources in mountains remain unused or underutilized.

Can you generate electricity on a mountain?

At the same time you create an artificial reservoir with the capacity of 4000 Olympic swimming pools way up high on a barren Scottish mountainside. Then you install four giant turbines inside the mountain so that the water from the reservoir can flow through and generate electricity for the national grid.

Why Himalayan rivers are unsuitable for hydro power generation?

Most rivers originating in the high Himalayas have excessive silt in the river water, particularly during the rainy season from June to October. This silt, if not removed, will cause heavy damage to run-of-river hydropower plants, such as erosion of the turbine blades and other steel structures.

What are hydropower projects?

Hydropower plants are planned, constructed, and operated to meet human needs: electricity generation, irrigated agricultural production, flood control, public and industrial water supply, drinking water supply, and various other purposes.

How do dams harm the environment?

A dam also holds back sediments that would naturally replenish downstream ecosystems. Large dams have led to the extinction of many fish and other aquatic species, the disappearance of birds in floodplains, huge losses of forest, wetland and farmland, erosion of coastal deltas, and many other unmitigable impacts.

Why are hydroelectric dams bad for the environment?

Additionally, damming rivers also often reduces water and sediment flow to dangerous levels, which impacts downstream wildlife populations. Low water flow downstream, as well as low nutrient flow, can lead to loss of habitat and healthy water for animals.

Why are hydroelectric power plants bad for the environment?

Operating a hydroelectric power plant may also change the water temperature and the river’s flow. These changes may harm native plants and animals in the river and on land. Reservoirs may cover people’s homes, important natural areas, agricultural land, and archaeological sites. So, building dams can require relocating people.

How is water stored in a hydroelectric power plant?

All the water that is used for generation of electricity in the hydroelectric power plants is stored in the dam. Since huge quantities of water are stored in the dam, it is very important that the bed and walls of the dam should be able to sustain all the hydraulic pressures of water.

What are the advantages of using hydroelectric power?

Producing electricity using hydroelectric power has some advantages over other power-producing methods. Let’s do a quick comparison: Advantages to Hydroelectric Power. Fuel is not burned so there is minimal pollution; Water to run the power plant is provided free by nature; Hydropower plays a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Where does the power come from in a hydroelectric dam?

Nowadays, huge power generators are placed inside dams. Water flowing through the dams spin turbine blades (made from metal instead of leaves) which are connected to generators. Power is produced and is sent to homes and businesses. World Distribution of Hydropower