Abstract
According to the Climate Clock, there are just over 7 years left to take action and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (Climate Clock). This makes the efficiency and high potential for quick and rapid expansion of hydropower a very attractive and necessary option to expedite climate change mitigation. Energy created through hydropower is reliable, efficient, flexible, and has been extensively used in countries all over the world, which has enabled breakthroughs and research that have mitigated some of the negatives associated with hydropower. The US and the EU have already begun programs focused on expanding hydropower, and increasing its funding could bring ample change quicker. When weighing the pros and cons of hydropower, it can be determined that expanding the use of hydropower is a swift method to accelerate climate change mitigation globally at a time when severe action is desperately needed.
Negatives
The first negative associated with hydropower is certain impacts it can have on the environment. Reservoirs and dams can alter the topography of the rivers where they are installed. They also can reduce the river flows, causing a buildup of sediment, a rise in the water temperature, and a degradation of its quality. These factors impact the river wildlife (Why Aren't We Looking at More Hydropower?). Hydropower plants impact humans negatively, too. According to the World Bank, by the year 2000, 40-80 million people had been displaced by dams and reservoirs (Why Aren't We Looking at More Hydropower?). Another negative is the initial expense of creating hydropower plants. Creating dams is very expensive, and amortization can be slow. However, some dams can be completed much quicker than others, and the rates at which they pay for themselves vary (Pros and Cons of Hydroelectric Energy).
Positives
The negative impacts are outweighed by hydropower’s reliability and efficiency, combined with its potential for rapid expansion. According to the United States Department of the Interior, hydroelectric energy is one of the most efficient sources of energy in the world. While other renewable sources of energy, such as solar and wind, are ~30% efficient, hydropower is ~90% efficient at deriving electricity from water (Pros and Cons of Hydroelectric Energy). In addition, hydroelectric energy requires minimal amounts of downtime due to the constant flow of water. The plants are only stopped for repairs or maintenance. The flow of water can also be easily altered if supply demand conditions change, a major factor that allows for the reduction of energy waste in ways other renewable resources are unable to provide (Pros and Cons of Hydroelectric Energy). Another positive factor involves maintenance once the plant is built. While the expense to build a dam is high initially, once the plant is working the costs of maintenance and employee wages are low. Water also does not fluctuate in cost, which allows countries utilizing hydropower to save money (Pros and Cons of Hydroelectric Energy).
These positive aspects make hydropower an enticing form of renewable energy, but the main aspect is its potential for expansion. Hydropower has potential for rapid expansion, which is essential for reaching the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Half of hydropower’s economically viable potential is unused. In developing economies the potential is even greater, reaching ~60% (Executive Summary – Hydropower Special Market Report – Analysis.). The United States, a powerful example for other countries around the world, even admits that there are significant opportunities to expand the nation’s hydropower usage (Hydropower Technology Development). Many dams also could be converted into hydropower plants, which would limit the costs and impacts of plant construction. According to a study conducted by the United States Department of Energy, there is the potential to increase hydropower production in the US by 15% purely by converting existing dams into hydropower plants (Converting Non-Powered Dams into Hydroelectric Dams).
Best Practice: Norway
In Norway, ~96% of electricity is generated using hydropower (How Norway Produces Hydropower with a Minimal Carbon Footprint). Norway has been one of the world’s leading users of hydropower, and due to its extensive use Norway has been able to develop and implement measures to mitigate the negative aspects of hydropower. If countries can learn and utilize the improvements that Norway has successfully implemented, a global expansion of hydropower use can occur rapidly. While dams can make it difficult for sediments and nutrients to flow freely, and fish can’t wander without help, Norway's requirement of compensation measures when issuing hydropower licences helps to resolve these issues. Norway also has rigid requirements for water release (How Norway Produces Hydropower with a Minimal Carbon Footprint). According to scientists at SINTEF, a European research institute, Norway utilizes design–mapping for hydropower. This involves mapping conditions the plant might change in the area which enables preemptive mitigation preparation. With the right measures, the ecosystem can remain healthy. For example, spawning gravel can be put down or fish can be led around the plant’s generators as they migrate downstream (How Norway Produces Hydropower with a Minimal Carbon Footprint). If the United States and Europe replicate these practices successfully, it will catalyze a shift towards hydropower across the globe, ensuring other countries can expand their hydropower usage quicker since research and development has already been completed.
US and EU Efforts
While developing economies have the highest potential for hydropower expansion, reaching ~60%, the United States and the European Union have been working towards expanding their own hydropower use. These influential governing bodies can set a precedent for other countries and developing economies, proving that hydropower is a viable resource to quickly mitigate climate change by 2030. The EU has been directing funds into hydropower, and has specifically focused on innovation to improve existing plants (Why the EU supports hydropower research and innovation). The US also has plans for hydropower, and has developed the Hydropower Vision Framework, a plan based on optimization, growth, and sustainability. The current goal is to increase hydropower electricity generation and storage by 50% by 2050 (A New Vision for United States Hydropower). At the COP26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2021, over 197 states agreed to finance $100 billion annually in support of climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing economies. When necessary amounts of this money are allocated to hydropower expansion and development, the US and EU can realize their goals and contribute significantly to positive replication effects in developing economies. In the process, they must ensure minimal negative environmental and human impacts
Hydropower’s potential for easy and rapid expansion, low cost and high efficiency, and already established best practices and advancements in technology position hydropower as a powerful source of renewable energy that if properly financed and stressed by bodies with high influence such as the US and the EU can rapidly mitigate climate change to create meaningful action by 2030. Calling on governments across the globe to utilize their untapped potential for hydropower can be done now, and governments can expand their hydropower generation rapidly if they invest in it. A focus on enhancing existing hydropower plants already exists in the US and the EU, and expanding financing for its development globally should be a major priority, particularly through allocation of the COP 26 $100 billion annual climate financing goal. This situates hydropower as a powerful accelerant of climate change mitigation.
Works Cited
Climate Clock. “Climate Clock.” Climate Clock, https://climateclock.world/.
Electric Choice. “Converting Non-Powered Dams into Hydroelectric Dams.” Electric Choice, https://www.electricchoice.com/blog/converting-dams-hydroelectric/.
European Commission. “Hydropower.” European Commission - European Commission, 16 Apr. 2021, https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/energy-research-and-innovation/hydropower_en.
The Explorer. “How Norway Produces Hydropower with a Minimal Carbon Footprint.” The Explorer, 7 Oct. 2020, https://www.theexplorer.no/stories/energy/how-norway-produces-hydropower-with-a-minimal-carbon-footprint/.
Fendt , Lindsay, and John Parsons. “Why Aren't We Looking at More Hydropower?” MIT Climate Portal, MIT Climate Portal, 2 Mar. 2021, https://climate.mit.edu/ask-mit/why-arent-we-looking-more-hydropower.
IEA. “Executive Summary – Hydropower Special Market Report – Analysis.” IEA, IEA, 2020, https://www.iea.org/reports/hydropower-special-market-report/executive-summary.
Kiwi Energy. “Pros and Cons of Hydroelectric Energy.” Kiwi Energy, 16 Dec. 2020, https://kiwienergy.us/pros-and-cons-of-hydroelectric-energy/.
Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. “A New Vision for United States Hydropower.” Energy.gov, https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/new-vision-united-states-hydropower.
Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. “Hydropower Technology Development.” Energy.gov, US Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/hydropower-technology-development.
U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). “U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis.” Hydropower Explained - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 16 Mar. 2022, https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/hydropower/.
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