HYDROPOWER!

Can there be a green approach to this age old phenomenon which has powered our homes and businesses, and solved our energy quests and problems for decades?  Hydropower has encouraged the significant expansion of dams which has damaged and divided ecosystems according to a report from the ' Green New Deal' proposition for Europe by Diem 25(Democracy for Europe Movement 2025).                                                                                                      

Another report shows that in the Balkans, some of the wildest rivers in Europe, and also a hot spot for fresh water biodiversity are under threat from around 2800 already planned hydropower plants projected to be constructed over the next few years. So back to the question I initially asked. But before we answer it, what actually is hydroelectric power?                                                                                                                   Hydroelectric power is the method of generating electricity by utilizing the energy of falling water. In other words, fast falling water such as water falls is used to generate electricity. The energy behind the fast falling water is actually the force of gravity. Water which falls or moves from a high altitude to a lower one converts potential energy to kinetic energy. Then, by the means of a water wheel or hydraulic turbine, the kinetic energy is converted into rotating mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is delivered by the means of a rotating shift to an electric generator which in turn converts the mechanical energy to electric energy.                                                                                                                                                        Water for hydroelectric purposes is usually gotten from a river at some upstream point and passed through a canal or conducting means to a small pond or 'forebay' at some height above the turbine, and after passing through the turbine, returned to the same or another river at a lower elevation or altitude.                                                                                                             . Another method of trapping water for this purpose, is to construct a dam across a stream at a place where such an obstruction will form an artificial lake at a predetermined 'rise' or 'altitude' in the level of water. However, also in high mountain areas, small dams have been used as funnels entering strong conduits or penstocks leading down through great heights to impulse turbines.                                                                                                                                   Now, a dam is an obstruction to the flow of water. Damming a river or a water body means that the natural flow of that river or stream is being prevented. In other words, damming inhibits the natural purpose of a river becoming a tributary to other water bodies.                          This certainly, has dire consequences in the aftermath, like flooding when this same river is eventually released to flow back to its source, if not properly managed and checked.                                                                                                           In recent years to be precise in 2022, in Nigeria where almost, if not all the coastal states of the Nigeria Delta region of the country were gruesomely affected by serious flooding. The  lives of many indigenes and inhabitants in the area were lost, farmlands were also destroyed.  Livestock, houses and personal belonging were also destroyed as a result of releasing without caution, water from the River Niger, which had been dammed for the purpose of generating electricity for the citizens of the nation. The one thing that should have been a blessing became a 'curse' in quote!                                                                                                                                          And so, now, can there be a green approach to this? Emphatically, yes! Reports have shown that using hydroelectric power to solve energy problems has destroyed lives and properties and will continue to do so, if proper care is not taken to cushion the aftermath of releasing     dammed water back to its source.                                                                                                    .   From a 1960's report and analysis, although the hydroelectric resources in the United States and Canada have over the years been properly managed to prevent flooding regions in which lakes and rivers have been dammed, such as the waters of the Great Lakes, with some minor adjustments, all flow to the sea through the St. Lawrence River. The same quantities minus the contributions from Lake Ontario flow through the Niagara River. The average alteration of Lake Erie is about 571ft above sea level, and the level of Lake Ontario is about 244ft.                                                                                                                   So, the 'difference' or the 'yielding available head' is 327ft. Between the intake of new Niagara falls Power Plant and the point of discharge, the difference in head is about 314ft. signifying that about 96% of the available is being used.  The discharge from Lake Ontario passes through the St. Lawrence River to the sea. The river slopes in such a way that the construction of the power house dam near Massena, New York, raises the water about 81ft without flooding the country side beyond predetermined limits.                                                                                                                                 That was then. Fast forward to 2025, sixty two years later, sea levels have changed drastically due to sea level rising, culminating from global warming and climate change.  It is very likely, that the rivers and lakes dammed in these regions will inadvertently cause flooding because of recent melting icebergs, which have caused an acute rise in sea levels.                                                                                                               A green approach is however, needed to remedy this threatening crises.Firstly, in my opinion, there should be a total shift from from damming rivers, lakes and streams for hydroelectric power to greener energy alternatives.                                                                                          According to another report, by The Green New Deal' from DieM25,  says, 'wind turbines and solar farms everywhere are already cheaper than new coal, nuclear gas or oil based energy generaration. The only reason that the electricity is not already carbon free is because of a failure in potential vision'.                                                                                                                            Hydropower is a major threat to the environment at large. Apart from the gruesome effects of devastating flooding, it has over the years damaged and divided natural water and land ecosystems. Aquatic animals are brutally affected in rivers and lakes used for damming purposes. They often migrate to other water bodies leaving that region berft for economic purposes both local and natural.                                                                                                           Finally, with the rate of sea levels rising, damming is dangerous to humans and the environment, and should be stopped.