Essay About Worlds Energy Future And International Commission

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Hydropower and the Worlds Energy Future
The role of hydropower in bringing clean, renewable, energy to the world
International Hydropower Association
Compton, West Sussex
United Kingdom
International Commission on Large Dams
Paris, France
Implementing Agreement on Hydropower
Technologies and Programmes/
International Energy Agency
Paris, France
Canadian Hydropower Association
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
November 2000
Preface
The inherent technical, economic and environmental benefits of hydroelectric power make it an important
contributor to the future world energy mix, particularly in the developing countries. These countries have a
great and ever-intensifying need for power and water supplies and they also have greatest remaining hydro
potential.
Development is a basic human right, as few would deny. Energy policy makers must meet their
responsibility in exploring the most rational options for meeting the energy needs of the developing world,
while protecting the environment to the maximum possible extent, for example by limiting greenhouse gas
emissions.
Any infrastructure development inevitably involves a certain degree of change. The construction of dams,
and their associated reservoirs and hydroelectric powerplants, creates certain physical and social aspects,
and a large amount of attention has focused in recent years on the negative impacts only. Less account has
been taken of the benefits of hydropower and of the knowledge and willingness which exists within the
profession to anticipate, mitigate and/or compensate for negative aspects.
This paper therefore sets out:
Ð* The role hydropower can play in the future, in the context of demographic growth and increasing
demands for energy.
Ð* The potential for future hydropower development throughout the world.
Ð* The inherent benefits of hydropower, both technical and environmental, in comparison with other
energy options.
Ð* A review of specific environmental and social impacts, and examples of mitigation measures.
Ð* Recommendations on best practice for future projects.
Ð* The potential way forward for hydropower development.
As will be clear from this paper, the dam and hydro profession today does not only comprise technicians,
but it is a multi-disciplinary body including environmental specialists, ecologists, biologists, social scientists
and economists. Together they represent a wealth of expertise which can ensure that future projects are
planned, constructed and operated with full respect for society and the environment.
Hydropower and the Worlds Energy Future
The role of hydropower in bringing clean, renewable, energy to the world
Introduction
As we move into the twenty-first century, global economic prosperity is driving the consumption of energy
to record levels, with electricity consumption anticipated to increase at rates faster than overall energy
supply. The vast majority (80 per cent) of energy today is provided from thermal sources, i.e. coal, gas and
oil; but there are growing global concerns regarding the lack of sustainabilit y of these forms of energy that
bring into question their use in a long-term energy strategy.
Concerns over disruptive fossil fuel markets and uncertain pricing, the current decline of nuclear energy as a
viable energy source and the significant environmental consequences of thermal energy sources have placed
greater emphasis on sustainable energy policies that include the significant development of renewable
energy supplies.
Renewable energy technology exists in many forms. Recent thinking often relates renewable energy to
electricity from either wind energy, solar energy or geothermal energy. Yet the largest source of renewable
energy comes from a proven technology, hydropower. Hydropower is renewable because it draws its
essential energy from the sun which drives the hydrological cycle which, in turn, provides a continuous
renewable supply of water. Hydropower represents more than 92 percent of all renewable energy generated,
and continues to stand as one of the most viable sources of new generation into the future. It also provides
an option to store energy, to optimize electricity generation.
The International Hydropower Association (IHA), the Implementing Agreement on Hydropower
Technologies and Programmes of the International Energy Agency (IEA/Hydro), the Canadian Hydropower
Association (CHA) and the International Commission Large Dams (ICOLD), are world-wide organisations
that are