Hydroelectric, the world’s oldest renewable energy source, is a key player in today’s energy transition

In the areas of the world where water is an accessible and abundant resource, hydroelectric power is the clean energy source par excellence, partly because of the huge efficiency it is capable of generating. If managed well, it can also help stabilize the electricity grids, thanks to the use of storage systems. A natural energy resource that humankind has been harnessing since antiquity The power of water has long been exploited by humankind, so much so that it can be considered the oldest renewable energy source. There is substantial historical evidence of how the Sumerians and Ancient Egyptians harnessed the power of water to perform arduous tasks such as grinding grain. In Alexandria, Egypt, for instance, a rudimental technology was employed to use the flow of the river to power the cogs of waterwheels. A few centuries later came the creation of watermills, powered by a wheel capable of efficiently harnessing the energy in the flow of water. It was not until the 19th century, however, that the idea of using the kinetic energy of water to produce electricity was born. From the second half of the 20th century, this sector saw substantial investments. Today, hydroelectric power is the leading renewable energy source worldwide: according to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), it accounts for almost half of all renewable production. Hydroelectric power is the key to the energy transition One of the greatest challenges of our times, in many parts of the world, is to achieve energy self-sufficiency: reducing foreign imports and managing to attain energy independence by harnessing the available domestic resources. Hydroelectric plants have a minimal environmental impact, especially when compared to fossil fuel-powered plants using oil and coal. Moreover, hydropower is a resource that is present almost everywhere, with just a few exceptions linked to the existence of the water cycle itself. Hydroelectric pumped storage plants can solve energy storage issues resulting from the use of renewable energy sources. Overall, 98% of energy storage capacity worldwide is provided by pumping water. The economic benefits of a simple system Obviously, building a hydroelectric plant has a rather high initial cost; however, in the medium-to-long term, harnessing the power of water is economically very advantageous. Hydroelectric storage systems function in a rather simple way: water is pumped from a lower reservoir to a higher one. At times of greater energy demand, the water is released and flows downwards, compensating for shortages in electricity production or seasonal or meteorological variations, even sudden ones. The average yield of this process is around 70%, a percentage that is hard to achieve with traditional sources. In addition to all these advantages, there is also the enormous benefit that plants built in this way do not contribute to water consumption, since the resources that are taken are returned in their entirety without being ruined or polluted. The virtuous cycle triggered by hydroelectric power Some lesser-known benefits of hydroelectric power are land reclamation and the improvement in the delicate balance of living systems. For example, hydroelectric plants can help defend the land from extreme weather events and floods by regulating the flow of rivers and preventing the risk of flooding. This also makes it possible to reclaim swamps and marshy areas and to control the flow of rivers to accommodate the needs of irrigation systems. Even in cases of drought, hydroelectric power stations can be very useful: the water contained in the reservoirs can not only be exploited to produce electricity, but can also be made available in times of water scarcity. The opening of dams can also be planned with the utmost precision in order to ensure the correct flow of water for plants and crops. All of this also brings indirect benefits in terms of tourism and security. A regular flow of water ensures, among other things, the enrichment of vegetation, an increase in local animal populations and support for biodiversity. It’s quite common, for instance, for special wildlife crossing ramps to be built at these power plants. Dams also play a key role in obstructing the passage of branches, fallen trees and other objects that could potentially be dangerous for animals or people. In the future, technological innovations and digitalization could make power plants even more efficient and functional, by regulating the flow of water in a precise and timely manner. In addition to the modernization and upgrading of existing plants, an interesting prospect is the construction of entirely new plants, considering that there are still numerous places around the world with an abundance of water and a lack of hydroelectric plants.

{{ currentMenugamenu.label }}

{{ currentSubMenugamenu.label }}

{{ card.title }}

{{ currentSubMenugamenu.numbers.title }}

Hydroelectric, the world’s oldest renewable energy source, is a key player in today’s energy transition

Hydroelectric, the world’s oldest renewable energy source, is a key player in today’s energy transition

Related content

{{article.title}}

{{article.title}}

{{article.title}}