The most common large scale hydro power systems are incorporated into dams and reservoirs. Stored water is released down chutes in the dams containing turbines; as the turbines work electricity is created. The potential energy of the stored water is transformed into usable power. This is a relatively simple method that has been used for centuries: in the past waterwheels have powered mills, and the at the start of the industrial revolution the main method of powering factories, especially in areas where iron and steel were being processed, was hydro power. Now, though, giant hydroelectric power stations are being constructed to provide energy in place of conventional sources such as fossil fuels, the prime example being the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China. At the time of writing providing three percent of the energy needs of the whole of China, this is a truly stupendous engineering achievement.

Other large scale systems are beginning to be implemented in tidal and coastal areas. Tidal barrage systems operate across the mouths of river estuaries, where the ebb and flow of the tide can be exploited to provide energy. Wave farms operate on the open ocean, with floating turbines moored in areas where wave activity is strong enough to generate electricity efficiently but not so strong that there is a risk of damage to the turbines. Being less familiar than hydroelectric dams, these systems are taking longer to design and implement but could prove to be an effective solution for countries with extensive coastlines.

The benefits of such hydro power systems are clear: once constructed, the energy produced is cheap and clean when compared to other power sources; the amount of pollution produced is minimal. There are, however, negatives. The construction of hydroelectricity systems can lead to environmental problems: the building of the aforementioned Three Gorges Dam led to the displacement of millions of people and the submerging of the habitats of endangered species such as the Siberian Crane. Also, tidal barrage systems have also been criticised for their potential to upset the ecological balance of the estuaries in which they are located, though system designers have responded by promising to attempt to minimise such disruption.

Despite these problems, it is clear that hydro power is an attractive option for future provision of energy, especially in coastal countries. Problems associated with other forms of energy will ensure that one of mankind’s oldest power sources will continue to be exploited well into the twenty-first century.

To find out more about hydro power, including the emergence of small scale systems usable by businesses and homeowners, visit http://www.electricitygeneration.co.uk – This site also contains information on a wide variety of conventional and non-conventional energy sources, allowing the visitor to assess how they can ensure their power needs are met for years to come.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Drabble

The potential for ‘Low-Impact’ Hydro in Scotland
On the 2nd September 2008 the Scottish Government published a report on the potential for small-scale hydro electricity generation in Scotland – the ‘Scottish Hydro Power Resource Study’. The report was commissioned by the Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland (FREDS) and funded by the Scottish Government. It reported there are some 1,000 sites in Scotland where commercially viable electricity could be generated producing a total of 657MegaWatt. (The associated press release can be found at the bottom of this article) Commercially viable is defined as plugging directly into the Grid and having a payback period of less than 15 years at 8% NPV.

The report described a thorough study conducted by Nick Forrest Associates, Systech and Black & Veatch. The study employed a predictive model, developed by Nick Forrest over several years, which is designed assist in the search for potentially suitable sites for small-scale hydro schemes, primarily in ‘run-of-river’ situations (as distinct from mass storage schemes).

In addition to the 1,000 ‘commercial viable’ sites the model also identified some 1,400 ‘grid-connected’ sites each generating less than 100kW but fail to meet the strict ‘commercial viability’ test criteria. But, if the electricity was consumed locally, or the Government’s financial support regime was improved, then they could become attractive. And at the end of the day they still produce carbon free electricity!

Possible Barriers:
There are of course potential barriers to the creation of micro or small-scale hydro power. But with flexibility and sensitivity these can, in the majority of cases, be addressed and the needs of all stakeholders met. It is the experience of babyHydro that these barriers are more perceived than real – in all of our dealings with the impacted agencies we have found them supportive, and practical in the discharge of their duties.

These agencies include:

o SEPA
o SNH
o Local Authority Planning Departments
o Fishery protection

News article referenced above:
(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/09/02084203)

http://babyhydro.co.uk provides site identification using hydrobot site identification software in addition to providing micro hydro installation and consultation services. We promote run of river hydro as a low impact solution to Scotlands energy needs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Scanlan

The most common large scale hydro power systems are incorporated into dams and reservoirs. Stored water is released down chutes in the dams containing turbines; as the turbines work electricity is created. The potential energy of the stored water is transformed into usable power. This is a relatively simple method that has been used for centuries: in the past waterwheels have powered mills, and the at the start of the industrial revolution the main method of powering factories, especially in areas where iron and steel were being processed, was hydro power. Now, though, giant hydroelectric power stations are being constructed to provide energy in place of conventional sources such as fossil fuels, the prime example being the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China. At the time of writing providing three percent of the energy needs of the whole of China, this is a truly stupendous engineering achievement.

Other large scale systems are beginning to be implemented in tidal and coastal areas. Tidal barrage systems operate across the mouths of river estuaries, where the ebb and flow of the tide can be exploited to provide energy. Wave farms operate on the open ocean, with floating turbines moored in areas where wave activity is strong enough to generate electricity efficiently but not so strong that there is a risk of damage to the turbines. Being less familiar than hydroelectric dams, these systems are taking longer to design and implement but could prove to be an effective solution for countries with extensive coastlines.

The benefits of such hydro power systems are clear: once constructed, the energy produced is cheap and clean when compared to other power sources; the amount of pollution produced is minimal. There are, however, negatives. The construction of hydroelectricity systems can lead to environmental problems: the building of the aforementioned Three Gorges Dam led to the displacement of millions of people and the submerging of the habitats of endangered species such as the Siberian Crane. Also, tidal barrage systems have also been criticised for their potential to upset the ecological balance of the estuaries in which they are located, though system designers have responded by promising to attempt to minimise such disruption.

Despite these problems, it is clear that hydro power is an attractive option for future provision of energy, especially in coastal countries. Problems associated with other forms of energy will ensure that one of mankind’s oldest power sources will continue to be exploited well into the twenty-first century.

To find out more about hydro power, including the emergence of small scale systems usable by businesses and homeowners, visit http://www.electricitygeneration.co.uk – This site also contains information on a wide variety of conventional and non-conventional energy sources, allowing the visitor to assess how they can ensure their power needs are met for years to come.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Drabble