Damming rivers and creating artificial lakes has long been one of the most common ways to produce electricity without using fuels, and the importance of this method hasn't diminished with time. Hydroelectric power is a very important source of energy worldwide, and is perhaps one of the best utilised sustainable resources, despite the fact that other technologies like solar panels or geothermal pumps currently attract more attention.

Thanks to its industry knowledge, EnviroTech understands this field well and can provide expert advice to clients interested in projects focused on hydroelectricity generation. Some of the most important facts that everyone should be aware of include:  

The fundamentals of hydropower

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.

Hydropower and global warming

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.

Why now is the perfect time to invest in hydroelectric?

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.

Can you get government support for hydropower projects?

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.