Impact on river ecosystems

One of the main problems associated with hydropower plants is their impact on river ecosystems. The construction of dams and flooding of areas to create reservoirs can lead to changes in river flows, current speed and water temperature. This can affect local people, including fish, water birds and other species that depend on the river’s natural environment.

Hydrological changes

Hydropower plants can affect the hydrological cycles of rivers, especially during periods of low flow. The operation of hydropower plants can lead to a decrease in water resources downstream, which can negatively affect ecosystems in the valley and people who depend on river water for irrigation and drinking water.

Sedimentation and erosion

The creation of the HPP reservoirs can lead to the retention of sediments that were previously transported along the river. This can lead to the loss of fertile soil vegetation and water pollution due to the decomposition of organic matter in the flooded mass.

Threat to biodiversity

The construction of hydropower plants can pose a threat to local biodiversity, including rare species of plants and animals in the construction or flooding zone. This can affect the stability of ecosystems and threaten the survival of some species.

Sustainable use of hydropower plants

Despite the environmental challenges, hydropower remains an important source of low-carbon energy. To ensure the sustainable use of hydropower, it is important to consider potential environmental impacts when designing, building and operating plants. The development of technologies that reduce environmental impact can also contribute to the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity.

Small hydropower plants can be an important source of clean energy, but their construction and operation can have significant environmental impacts. To ensure the sustainable use of hydropower, it is necessary to consider environmental aspects at all stages of project development and to seek trade-offs between energy needs and environmental protection.

The post Environmental impact of small hydropower plants appeared first on Esha.

• availability of water all year round;
• high angle of inclination of the river;
• seismicity.

Principle of operation and structure of hydropower plants

The capacity of a hydroelectric power plant depends on many aspects, including the structure of the hydropower plant. It consists of the following components that generate electricity

• generator;
• stator;
• turbine;
• rotor;
• blades and vanes;
• rotating shaft.

The essence of a mini hydroelectric power plant or a conventional hydroelectric power plant is the rotation of generators that create electricity due to the water pressure that enters the turbine blades from a reservoir or an artificial dam. The main advantage of such a facility is that it generates electricity in an environmentally friendly way.

Microgas as an energy source

It should be noted that the construction of a mini-gas plant can cost $10 thousand dollars. It is usually designed and built for private households that are far from power lines. Micro-hydroelectric power plants are typically capable of producing from 4 to 10 kW. Such a home hydroelectric power plant will be a lifeline for country houses and cottages that are unable to get electricity in any other way.

Many people confuse microhydro with small hydropower. The latter is considered a full-fledged structure, like our Zaporizhzhia hydroelectric power plant, except that it produces less electricity, but it is significantly superior to home hydropower plants.

However, hydropower plants do not differ from each other in terms of their design, but there are some facilities that cannot be overlooked. For this purpose, we have created the top 10 hydroelectric power plants. But before that, let’s take a look at one facility that was not included in this list, but still deserves special attention.

Let’s take a look at the most famous hydropower plants.

1. Three Gorges HPP.
   China is famous not only for its developed economy, but also for the capacity of the Three Gorges hydroelectric power plant. It is capable of generating more than 22 GW. The dimensions of its dam are also striking in their grandeur – it is 2309 meters wide and 185 meters high. Having seen such a miracle “live”, you may wonder what a hydroelectric power plant is. The comprehensive answer will be before your eyes.
2. Itaipu HPP.
   This power plant rightfully takes the second place in this TOP. Its capacity can reach 14 GW. It is located in Brazil and interacts with the Parana River. This facility is unique in that it provides high-quality electricity to Paraguay and Brazil. The height of the facility reaches 196 m and its length is almost 8 km. US composer Philip Glass created a symphonic cantata in its honor. It was Itaipu that became his muse.
3. Hydroelectric power plant “Silodu”
   The presented facility has a capacity of 13.8 GW. Like the first power plant in the top, it was built in China, on the Jinsha River. Its dimensions are impressive. For example, its height reaches 285 meters.
4. Guri hydroelectric power plant
   The Guri power plant is located on the Caron River in Venezuela. It took the fourth place in our TOP. Its capacity is more than 10 GW, which provides electricity to almost 70% of the country. The facility is 1300 meters long and 162 meters high.
5. Tukurui hydroelectric power plant
   This hydroelectric power plant is located on the Tocantins River in Brazil. Its capacity is more than 8 GW. It is 11,000 meters long and 78 meters high.
6. Like the previous facilities, this power plant has had a major impact on the environment. The diversity of flora and fauna in the river has greatly decreased. In addition, a large amount of forest was destroyed. For this reason, Brazilian Indian tribes have left their indigenous habitats.
7. Hydroelectric power plant “Grand Cooley”
   This power plant is located in North America, on the Columbia River. “Grand Coulee is capable of generating more than 6.7 GW of electricity. It is about 1.5 km long and 168 meters high.
8. “Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP
   The Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP is in seventh place. Its capacity is 6.4 GW. This facility is located in the Russian Federation on the Yenisei River. The length of the hydroelectric power plant is just over 1 km, and its height is 245 meters. It is capable of generating cheap electricity, while supplying various industrial enterprises.

The post The most powerful and beautiful hydroelectric power plants appeared first on Esha.

By the level of discharge

The purpose of a hydropower plant is to convert the potential energy of water associated with the difference in the levels of decline: between the supply and the return (gross decline) of electricity. As a rule, hydropower plants are classified by gross discharge:

• High-discharge power (100 meters or more of drop);
• Medium-drop power (30 ÷ 100 m drop)
• Low-drop power (2 ÷ 30 m drop).
  These ranges are not rigid – they can only serve as a categorization of hydropower facilities.

According to their ability to work with the power supply system.

Among the hydroelectric power plants, the following can be distinguished:

• Stream hydroelectric power plants;
• Pumped storage hydroelectric power plants with periodically regulated flow;
• Hydroelectric;
• Electric pumps and power supply from pumped water storage facilities.

The post Classification of small hydropower plants appeared first on Esha.