Hydropower faces challenges amid worsening droughts. UPSC

Description

HYDROPOWER

Copyright infringement not intended

Picture Courtesy: https://www.governing.com/archive/gov-hydropower-renewable-energy.html

Context: Droughts have highlighted the vulnerability of hydropower to climate change, as reduced reservoir water levels have severely impacted electricity generation in many countries.

Details

Hydropower has historically been an important source of reliable, low-carbon electricity, but its vulnerability to climate impacts such as droughts raises concerns about its long-term viability and the need for broader energy diversification plans.

Vulnerability to Climate Change

Hydropower generation relies on the availability of water, making it highly vulnerable to drought conditions. Reduced rainfall and higher temperatures can lead to lower water levels in reservoirs, affecting electricity production.
Climate change is expected to intensify droughts and floods, which can damage infrastructure like dams and impact hydropower operations.

Recent Examples

●Recent droughts in Colombia and Ecuador have significantly reduced reservoir water levels, leading to energy shortages and the need for power cuts. This demonstrates the immediate impact of climate-related water scarcity on hydropower-dependent regions.

●The global drop in hydropower generation in 2023, mainly due to drought conditions intensified by climate change, highlights the greater risks connected with over-reliance on this energy source.

Mitigation Strategies and Adaptations

Countries that depend heavily on hydropower, particularly in Africa, need to diversify their energy mix by including wind, solar, and other renewable technologies. This method has the potential to improve energy security while also reducing climate risk.
Using innovative techniques such as floating solar panels on reservoirs can increase energy generation while lowering water use and environmental effects.

Despite its limitations, hydropower is regarded as critical for decarbonising the global economy because of its scalability and cost-effectiveness. To reach climate targets, significant investment in hydroelectric capacity is required. This includes updating existing infrastructure and creating new initiatives with an emphasis on sustainability.

About Hydropower

Hydropower uses the gravitational potential or kinetic energy of moving water to generate electricity. This energy can be utilised in a variety of ways, including blocking rivers, creating waterfalls, and using fast-flowing watercourses.
In modern times, hydropower is mostly used to generate electricity. This involves redirecting flowing water via turbines to produce power. The flow of water spins turbines connected to generators, transforming mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Pumped-storage hydroelectricity systems utilise hydropower as well. This approach involves moving water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir during periods of low electrical consumption. During peak demand periods, the stored water is discharged downhill, generating energy.

Advantages of Hydropower

Hydropower is considered a renewable energy source because it relies on naturally replenished water resources, such as rivers and lakes.
Unlike fossil fuels, hydropower does not directly produce carbon dioxide or other atmospheric pollutants during electricity generation, making it a cleaner alternative.
Hydropower provides a consistent and reliable source of electricity, as water flow can be regulated and controlled to meet demand.

Considerations and Downsides

Large-scale dam projects can disrupt ecosystems, alter river flow patterns, and impact aquatic habitats. This can affect fish populations, water quality, and downstream habitats.
Building and maintaining hydropower facilities can have economic and social implications, including displacement of communities, changes in land use, and conflicts over water rights.
Effective hydropower generation requires access to sufficiently energetic water sources, such as rivers with consistent flow or elevated lakes.

Role in Sustainable Development

Institutions like the World Bank view hydropower as a key component of low-carbon economic development, especially in regions with abundant water resources.
Hydropower has been used since ancient times for various purposes, including irrigation, mechanical power for mills, and compressed air production using devices.

Reuters analysis of Indian government data on Hydropower output

●India is 5th globally for installed hydroelectric power capacity.

●Hydropower's share in India's total power output dropped to a record low of 8.3% during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

●The share of renewables in India's power output also decreased for the first time since the Prime Minister made commitments to boost solar and wind capacity at the United Nations climate talks in Paris in 2015. Renewables accounted for 11.7% of India's power output, down from 11.8% in the previous year.

●With hydroelectricity output decreasing, there is a higher dependence on coal-fired power generation, especially during periods of high demand. India, being the world's third-largest greenhouse gas emitter, faces challenges in reducing its reliance on coal.

●Low reservoir levels due to light rainfall suggest that hydro output will likely remain low during the upcoming hot months of April to June. Any potential increase in hydro generation due to the monsoon season may not be evident until July.

●Erratic rainfall patterns raise concerns about the long-term reliability of hydropower as a consistent energy source. Experts caution against relying too heavily on hydroelectricity given the unpredictability of future rainfall patterns.

●While hydropower output globally experienced a decline, India's decline was notably faster than the global average. Factors such as lower rainfall and warmer temperatures due to the El Nino weather pattern contributed to this trend.

Conclusion

While hydropower remains a key component of clean energy production, its vulnerability to climate-induced water limitation highlights the critical need for diverse energy options. Balancing hydropower with other renewables and innovative technologies is essential for providing energy security and resilience in a world that is becoming increasingly hot and dry due to climate change.

Source:

Indian Express

Britannica

The Hindu

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. India has immense hydropower potential, but many projects face resistance due to concerns about displacing communities and disrupting ecosystems. Critically analyze the challenges of finding a balance between hydroelectric development and sustainable environmental and social practices in India. Propose specific strategies that could be implemented to mitigate these challenges.