Hydroelectric Power
Hydroelectric power
Hydropower is produced in 150 countries, with the Asia-Pacific region generating 32 percent of global hydropower in 2010. China is the largest hydroelectricity producer, with 721 TWh of production in 2010, representing around 17% of domestic electricity use. The three largest HEP plants are the Three Gorges Dam in China, Itaipu Dam in Brazil, and Guri Dam in Venezuela. The Three Gorges Dam accounts for 16% of global electricity consumption.
Pros
Cons
Close to zero carbon emissions
Expensive to build – the Three Gorges Dam cost $26 billion
Prevent flooding down stream
Loss of habitat for reservoir space
Running costs are low
Extinction of rare species
Controls how much electricity is generated so no excess demand/supply.
No sediment reaches farm land downstream
It has become a larger proportion of the world’s energy consumption. It provides 7% of energy in 2012, up from 3.34% in 2010. The top three consumers of hydroelectric power are:
1. China – 163.1 million tonnes of oil-equivalent (mtoe) (6.7 percent of its total energy consumption)
2. Brazil – 89.6 mtoe (35.3 percent of its total energy consumption)
3. Canada – 82.9 mtoe (26.2 percent of its total energy consumption)
In 2010 the Asia-Pacific region was generating 32% of global hydropower and it continues to grow mainly there.
Hydropower is produced in 150 countries, with the Asia-Pacific region generating 32 percent of global hydropower in 2010. China is the largest hydroelectricity producer, with 721 TWh of production in 2010, representing around 17% of domestic electricity use. The three largest HEP plants are the Three Gorges Dam in China, Itaipu Dam in Brazil, and Guri Dam in Venezuela. The Three Gorges Dam accounts for 16% of global electricity consumption.
Pros
Cons
Close to zero carbon emissions
Expensive to build – the Three Gorges Dam cost $26 billion
Prevent flooding down stream
Loss of habitat for reservoir space
Running costs are low
Extinction of rare species
Controls how much electricity is generated so no excess demand/supply.
No sediment reaches farm land downstream
It has become a larger proportion of the world’s energy consumption. It provides 7% of energy in 2012, up from 3.34% in 2010. The top three consumers of hydroelectric power are:
1. China – 163.1 million tonnes of oil-equivalent (mtoe) (6.7 percent of its total energy consumption)
2. Brazil – 89.6 mtoe (35.3 percent of its total energy consumption)
3. Canada – 82.9 mtoe (26.2 percent of its total energy consumption)
In 2010 the Asia-Pacific region was generating 32% of global hydropower and it continues to grow mainly there.