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Water power advantages and disadvantages

The hydropower is one of the oldest energy uses large scale and is framed as a renewable energy.

The production of hydroelectric energy is mainly carried out through hydroelectric power plants , which are associated with large or medium capacity dams, which dam the water of the rivers, constituting a reservoir of water, interrupting the water flow in a timely manner.

These power plants use the energy of the level difference between the reservoir and the river, downstream from the plant, which run the turbines and their generators, producing electricity. Learn more about how water production works.

Hydropower is increasingly used in Portugal and more and more dams are being designed and built.

In fact this technology has enormous advantages compared to other types of energy production , although there are also some disadvantages in the use of hydropower .

energy-hydro-dams
Example of a Dam – Hydropower

Advantages of hydropower

It is a renewable energy, that is, it is not exhausted;

Their reliability and response to demand variations are high;

Its cost of production is low;

It does not pollute the environment;

It provides local development (establishment of waterways, construction of communication routes, promotion of leisure activities and tourism, etc.).

It allows a form of local supply for irrigation, etc.

Disadvantages of hydropower

It causes erosion of soils, which consequently affect local vegetation;

It can cause the displacement of riverine populations and the extension of land (depending, of course, on the type of relief and the region where the enterprise is located);

Its construction requires the formation of large reservoirs of water that end up causing profound changes in ecosystems;

High installation and deactivation costs.

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