Hydropower is emission-free, renewable energy which does not cause any emissions into the air, water, or soil. The construction of hydropower plants changes waterways and their natural conditions.
A belief that 'small' hydropower systems are a source of clean energy with little or no environmental problems is driving the growing interest in mini, micro, and pico hydro systems that generate from less than 5 kilowatts up to 10 megawatts of energy. In a report on the environmental implications of renewable energy sources, the International Energy Agency (IEA) notes: Small-scale hydro schemes (SHS) tend to have a relatively modest and localised impact on the environment. Flooding land for a hydroelectric reservoir has an extreme environmental impact: it destroys forest, wildlife habitat, agricultural land, and scenic lands. In many instances, such as the Three Gorges Dam in China, entire communities have also had to be relocated to make way for reservoirs [ 3 ]. For example, though there are a variety of methods to minimize the impact (including fish ladders and in-take screens), fish and other organisms can be injured and killed by turbine blades. Apart from direct contact, there can also be wildlife impacts both within the dammed reservoirs and downstream from the facility. Hydroelectric power includes both massive hydroelectric dams and small run-of-the-river plants. Large-scale hydroelectric dams continue to be built in many parts of the world (including China and Brazil), but it is unlikely that new facilities will be added to the existing U.S. fleet in the future. For example, though there are a variety of methods to minimize the impact (including fish ladders and in-take screens), fish and other organisms can be injured and killed by turbine blades. Apart from direct contact, there can also be wildlife impacts both within the dammed reservoirs and downstream from the facility. Instead, the future of hydroelectric power in the United States will likely involve increased capacity at current dams and new run-of-the-river projects. There are environmental impacts at both types of plants. 1  Learn more: How Hydroelectric Energy Works. For example, though there are a variety of methods to minimize the impact (including fish ladders and in-take screens), fish and other organisms can be injured and killed by turbine blades. Apart from direct contact, there can also be wildlife impacts both within the dammed reservoirs and downstream from the facility. Abstract. This paper describes the results of research conducted on hydroelectric power production. It considers the history and technicalities of hydropower, compares hydropower to other types of power, and examines its environmental impacts. In order to achieve this, a variety of sources have been referenced, looking at each side of hydropower: its basics, the business side, and various costs and benefits.  Environmental Effects of Hydropower & Marine/Hydrokinetic Energy Projects. Hydroelectric power is one of the nation’s most important renewable energy resources, because it represents about 7% of the country’s total electrical generation and 75% of the electricity generated from renewable sources. Hydropower has significant advantages over other energy sources: it is a reliable, domestic, renewable resource with large undeveloped potential, it produces few solid wastes, and it emits essentially none of the atmospheric emissions that are of growing concern, such as nitrogen and sulfur oxides and greenhouse gases. Hydropower Impacts. Hydropower facilities can have two types of impacts on a river and its resident aquatic life. First, the turbines can cause mortality to fish which pass through the facility. 1 1. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF HYDROPOWER. 2  2. About hydropower The water behind the dam flows through an intake and pushes against blades in a turbine, causing them to turn. 3  The turbine spins a generator to produce electricity. 1 2. About hydropower The water behind the dam flows through an intake and pushes against blades in a turbine, causing them to turn. 2  The turbine spins a generator to produce electricity. 3  The amount of electricity that can be generated depends on how far the water drops and how much water moves through the system. Environmental impacts. Hydropower is emission-free, renewable energy which does not cause any emissions into the air, water, or soil. The construction of hydropower plants changes waterways and their natural conditions. The main environmental impact during production is caused by the regulation of the waterways. Fortum actively moderates this environmental impact. Fortum moderates the environmental impact in many ways. Fortum actively moderates the environmental impact of hydropower production in areas affected by the power economy. The impact on the fishing industry is reduced by stocking fish and restoring habitats. Environmental impacts of hydroelectric power. 1  1. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF HYDROPOWER. 2  2. About hydropower The water behind the dam flows through an intake and pushes against blades in a turbine, causing them to turn. 1 2. About hydropower The water behind the dam flows through an intake and pushes against blades in a turbine, causing them to turn. 2  The turbine spins a generator to produce electricity. 3  The amount of electricity that can be generated depends on how far the water drops and how much water moves through the system.
http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Hydroelectric/Small-Hydropowers-Negative-Impact-On-The-Environment.html http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-hydroelectric-power.html http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-hydroelectric-power.html http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-hydroelectric-power.html http://www.indiana.edu/~sierra/papers/2010/dietrick.html http://www.esd.ornl.gov/human_health_risk/env_analysis/hydro_effects.shtml http://orsanco.org/hydropower-impacts http://www.slideshare.net/mrshansen/environmental-impacts-of-hydroelectric-power http://www.fortum.com/en/energy-production/hydropower/environmental-impacts/pages/default.aspx http://www.slideshare.net/mrshansen/environmental-impacts-of-hydroelectric-power
what are environmental impacts of hydropower