03 Hydroelectric Power
03 Hydroelectric Power
- Price £3.00
- Code: ESA-FSPI-003
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Hydroelectric power provides 24% of the world’s electricity. Plants range in power output from a few hundred kilowatts up to 10,000 megawatts. The US is world leader in HEP production.
Site Requirements
• Fast-flowing rivers or sufficient rainfall to fill reservoir.
• Evenly distributed rainfall.
• Suitable topography: narrow valley exit which can be dammed, giving large volume but small surface area to reduce evaporation. So, ideally, a deep, steep-sided valley.
• Impermeable rocks/bedrock with no faults or seismic activity to prevent leakage.
• Close to consumers/demand centre.
• Climate that will result in a low evaporation rate.
• Low rate of silting.
• Site that allows easy access and construction.
• No urban area immediately upstream as this will be a potential source of pollution/will increase treatment costs.
• Site where construction will not cause serious damage to habitats or mean resettlement of people.
