Harnessing the Power of Renewable Energy: Hydropower

Hydropower, or hydroelectric power, is energy harnessed by moving water. One of the oldest and cleanest renewable energy sources, the natural movement of flowing water generates power by transforming it from mechanical energy to electrical energy.

Water + Gravity = Hydropower.

Water stored in a reservoir is potential energy that works similarly to a battery. The more water you have and the farther it has to fall, the more energy you generate. When the water is allowed to run downhill, either in the natural river channel or in a tunnel or pipe, that potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. The moving water hits the turbine and makes it spin, producing mechanical energy. The generator (connected to the turbine) then converts that mechanical energy into electrical energy, which can be distributed to homes and businesses.

Yes! Hydropower has generated clean, renewable, and reliable power for over 100 years. Mother nature supplies the water and gravity. The water is not “consumed.” It is merely “borrowed” for a fraction of a second to turn the turbine, and then it is released back into the source.

However, “renewable” can be defined differently by different people and jurisdictions at different times. Every state considers at least some, but not necessarily all, hydroelectric power to be renewable.

For example, the states of Michigan and Missouri don’t currently recognize hydropower to be renewable if it requires the construction of new dams, and California and Iowa only consider energy from smaller hydroelectric turbine generators (regardless of the size of the dam) in their renewable definitions, although California intends to count all hydropower eventually. Ohio allows utilities to count hydropower as renewable as long as their facilities are not harmful to fish, wildlife, or water quality. But when you consider the raw inputs and process, the energy created is clean and renewable.

This is a tricky question with many considerations. It is important to recognize that most dams were not built primarily for hydropower purposes, and only 3% of the nation’s 80,000 dams currently generate electricity. If you were to get rid of hydropower, most dams would still be needed, as they play a critical role in public safety (flood protection), water supply (for homes and agriculture), recreation, and transportation (locks). In many instances, hydroelectric renewable power is simply an ancillary benefit.

Dams can and do impact the environment, sometimes changing natural flow patterns or interfering with fish and aquatic life. And not all dams are beneficial. Some dams, often built many years ago, are no longer needed or used as intended. In these situations, removing the dam may be the most prudent and responsible action.

Not all hydropower facilities even use dams. There are several ways to generate energy from hydropower:

Storage Dams: Moving water flows downward from an elevated reservoir to a lower reservoir or back into the natural river.

Run of River (ROR): Dependent on the natural flow of rivers, ROR hydropower diverts a portion of the river water to a turbine. Vulnerable to natural fluctuations in water level, there are more variables related to natural water cycles and their impact on water flow to generate electricity.

Pumped Storage: In some situations, the water can be pumped back uphill after it has gone through the turbine and used over and over to make electricity. Pumped storage hydro can even be designed as a “closed loop” system, where there is no connection to any river.

While there is a cost associated with the initial design and construction of a hydropower facility, hydro is a cost-effective and long-term solution that provides many decades of reliable electricity production.

Similarly, as mentioned earlier, implementing a dam-based hydropower solution can help with flood control in low-lying areas, water supply during dry seasons and droughts, and recreational opportunities. Hydropower also plays a critical role in decarbonization and helps to integrate other renewables, such as wind and solar.

When the sun sets (which seems to happen every evening) and the wind stops blowing (a little harder to predict), other electrical generators need to ramp up instantly to compensate for the difference. Hydro is incredibly good at this: being flexible and fast-ramping.

And, if reservoirs are involved, i.e., storage hydro, hydro effectively functions as a large battery, storing power (in the form of potential energy in an upper reservoir) until it is needed.

While hydropower and hydroelectric energy are renewable sources, damming a river can affect natural habitats in and around the water source. From a community standpoint, building a dam, as well as a dam failure, can have an impact on surrounding communities and wildlife.

As a trusted advisor, Gannett Fleming is ready to collaborate with you on the assessment, development, and maintenance of your facility to safely and effectively power our communities, together.