Fast mountainous rivers carry huge amounts of energy that can be harnessed by running the water through turbines, this process transforms kinetic energy into electricity. The principles are simple and haven’t changed much since this process was first used in the late 19th century. Since it relies on a free and unlimited resource that is organically replenished, hydropower has always been considered to be a very clean resource. However, the scope of its usefulness has been limited by the high cost of dams alongside its landscape-changing impact.
There is a new abundance of hydrological resources, some of them are located in countries with a pronounced need for cheap energy. By adding dams, it is possible to prevent water from dissipating, while also generating energy in huge quantities. At the same time, increased production of hydro energy decreases the need for carbon fuels and thus slows down the greenhouse effect that is the primary culprit for global warming.
In the United Kingdom alone there are installed capacities for producing over 4,600 MW of energy, and this source contributes around 2% to the overall power generation. Since new capacities are installed every year, this figure could grow sharply. The demand for energy continues to be robust in the developed world, but at the same time, there is an urgent need to limit carbon emissions. Hydropower could be one of the best technologies to help bridge the gap and provide clean energy until other renewable sources can be built up to capacity.
The answer to this question is dependent on your country of residence, but in many jurisdictions, there are incentives available for hydroelectricity generation. In the United Kingdom, this form of energy is covered by the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) program, allowing the producers to sell the power to the grid at guaranteed prices.
The idea here is to eliminate avoidable waste while ensuring that all energy needs are met, thus increasing the overall energy efficiency and staying within the planned expenditure range. In some cases, companies can slash their energy bills by up to 40% by implementing simple measures such as optimisation of the heating system.
In the current climate, many companies are trying to decrease their carbon footprint to become more eco-friendly and qualify for government incentives. Current programs include the Renewable Heat Initiative, adopting this approach could be the easiest solution for immediate improvement.
In the current climate, many companies are trying to decrease their carbon footprint to become more eco-friendly and qualify for government incentives. Current programs include the Renewable Heat Initiative, adopting this approach could be the easiest solution for immediate improvement.
Leading energy companies are introducing more flexible schemes that could greatly benefit end-users. Large energy spenders have a lot of incentives to take part in such programs and could, in fact, earn money in reward for their compliance with the requirements of a Demand Response program.