Hydroelectric energy is a renewable source of energy that generates electricity from flowing water. Whereas it emits no direct greenhouse gases during its operation, its construction also alters local ecosystems. The environmental benefits and drawbacks of this energy are explained in detail below.
Environmental benefits of hydroelectric energy
- This energy production reduces emissions. Hydropower produces electricity without particulates or chemical compounds such as Carbon dioxide, Sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides that are directly harmful to human health. Thus, it doesn't cause air pollution and mitigates climate change.
- This energy production totally relies on the natural dam or the natural water cycle, providing a consistent supply of a renewable and reliable source of power.
- Building dams for power generation also provides valuable benefits, including flood control, municipal water supply, and irrigation.
- It emits no radioactivity.
Environmental drawbacks of hydroelectric energy
- Causing floods across hundreds of miles of land to build reservoirs destroys habitats and forces local wildlife to relocate.
- Dams disrupt the natural flow of rivers. This impacts the transport of sediments along the river and the temperature of the water. This also impacts the fish population.
- Reservoirs that flood plant life in tropical and temperate peatlands cause a lot of carbon dioxide and methane to be released by decaying organic matter.