Hydroelectric energy is moving water that makes energy. It can be used wisely by storing the energy for emergency.The dam has a turbine when water flows through the turbine it makes energy.
PROS✔ Hydroelectricity is undoubtedly the most widely-used form of renewable energy as compared to other energy forms such as solar energy, tidal energy, wind energy, etc. It is also the most feasible of all renewable energy options and therefore, the most popular.
✔ In terms of reliability and consistency, hydroelectricity is way ahead of its other renewable energy counterparts. No wonder then, that hydroelectric power is a preferred choice, not just for small-scale industries, but also for heavy-duty industries and manufacturing plants.
✔ Hydroelectric power is completely independent of fossil fuels or other perishable resources. It does not involve any combustion or burning of fuel, coal, etc. and therefore, does not release any toxic chemicals in the atmosphere and nor does it create any harmful byproducts.
✔ A hydroelectric power installation can be beneficial for fish breeding.
✔ The operational cost is quite low and it is also a clean way of producing energy. Also, the water can be reused for agriculture, irrigation, civic water supply, etc., therefore losses are minimal.
✔ Also, the large volume of water in the reservoir often serves the purpose for recreational activities such as water sports, which makes the location a tourist spot as well.
✔ Hydroelectricity power stations have a really long life and hence, they can generate electricity for many years, rather decades.
✔ The time required for a hydro power station to shut down and restart is way too less than other power stations. Where other power stations, normally take eight hours to restart, a hydro power station can restart in just a few minutes (sometimes even seconds)
CONS
✘ One of the major cons of hydroelectricity is the need for a large enough reservoir. Constructing a large reservoir is a major challenge, both in terms of time and money. Also, it often involves relocation of families who happen to be residing in the area that has been approved for the construction of the reservoir.
✘ Regardless of how strong and unbreakable a reservoir may seem, there is always the theoretical risk of the reservoir giving way in the event of unexpected heavy and prolonged torrential rain. Although such incidents are rare, if they indeed do happen, they can cause mass damage to livelihood.
✘ In some cases, constructing a reservoir or damming a river at a certain location may lead to adverse ecological effects on its immediate surroundings. In other words, it cannot be constructed just anywhere; a proper land examination is a must prior to hydro power station construction.
✘ Since the amount of power generated depends largely on the altitude difference between the reservoir and the turbine, finding a suitable place for both the reservoir and the turbine often becomes a problem.
✘ Droughts can have a severely adverse impact on hydroelectric power generation.
✘ Silt is a problem that adversely affects quite a few reservoirs, and consequently, the respective hydroelectric power plants as well.
✘ Earthquakes is another major concern when it comes to hydroelectricity generation. It has been observed that in China and Uttarakhand (India) large dam constructions are responsible for the massive earthquakes occurred in these regions.
✘ Land usage is a crucial factor in hydroelectricity generation. If not planned wisely, a dam construction can amount to wastage of land. The driveways constructed to access the dam also leads to more land usage.
PROS✔ Hydroelectricity is undoubtedly the most widely-used form of renewable energy as compared to other energy forms such as solar energy, tidal energy, wind energy, etc. It is also the most feasible of all renewable energy options and therefore, the most popular.
✔ In terms of reliability and consistency, hydroelectricity is way ahead of its other renewable energy counterparts. No wonder then, that hydroelectric power is a preferred choice, not just for small-scale industries, but also for heavy-duty industries and manufacturing plants.
✔ Hydroelectric power is completely independent of fossil fuels or other perishable resources. It does not involve any combustion or burning of fuel, coal, etc. and therefore, does not release any toxic chemicals in the atmosphere and nor does it create any harmful byproducts.
✔ A hydroelectric power installation can be beneficial for fish breeding.
✔ The operational cost is quite low and it is also a clean way of producing energy. Also, the water can be reused for agriculture, irrigation, civic water supply, etc., therefore losses are minimal.
✔ Also, the large volume of water in the reservoir often serves the purpose for recreational activities such as water sports, which makes the location a tourist spot as well.
✔ Hydroelectricity power stations have a really long life and hence, they can generate electricity for many years, rather decades.
✔ The time required for a hydro power station to shut down and restart is way too less than other power stations. Where other power stations, normally take eight hours to restart, a hydro power station can restart in just a few minutes (sometimes even seconds)
CONS
✘ One of the major cons of hydroelectricity is the need for a large enough reservoir. Constructing a large reservoir is a major challenge, both in terms of time and money. Also, it often involves relocation of families who happen to be residing in the area that has been approved for the construction of the reservoir.
✘ Regardless of how strong and unbreakable a reservoir may seem, there is always the theoretical risk of the reservoir giving way in the event of unexpected heavy and prolonged torrential rain. Although such incidents are rare, if they indeed do happen, they can cause mass damage to livelihood.
✘ In some cases, constructing a reservoir or damming a river at a certain location may lead to adverse ecological effects on its immediate surroundings. In other words, it cannot be constructed just anywhere; a proper land examination is a must prior to hydro power station construction.
✘ Since the amount of power generated depends largely on the altitude difference between the reservoir and the turbine, finding a suitable place for both the reservoir and the turbine often becomes a problem.
✘ Droughts can have a severely adverse impact on hydroelectric power generation.
✘ Silt is a problem that adversely affects quite a few reservoirs, and consequently, the respective hydroelectric power plants as well.
✘ Earthquakes is another major concern when it comes to hydroelectricity generation. It has been observed that in China and Uttarakhand (India) large dam constructions are responsible for the massive earthquakes occurred in these regions.
✘ Land usage is a crucial factor in hydroelectricity generation. If not planned wisely, a dam construction can amount to wastage of land. The driveways constructed to access the dam also leads to more land usage.
Heck, its found in physics moving water is energy + its found in water.