Hydropower, or hydroelectric power, is one of the oldest and largest sources of renewable energy, that generates electricity by harnessing the energy from flowing or falling water. Hydropower facilities come in all sizes, some may be very large but can be tiny too, taking advantage of water flows in municipal water facilities.
Conventional hydroelectric facilities include:
Hydropower has been utilized for thousands of years due to its numerous benefits. It is a clean and cost-effective energy source, capable of providing immediate power to the grid. This makes it a flexible and reliable backup during major electricity outages or disruptions. Beyond electricity generation, hydropower offers additional advantages such as flood control, irrigation support, and water supply management. Regardless of the method, hydropower is more accessible and widely utilized than many realize.
In Norway, 90 percent of all power production comes from hydropower. Globally, hydropower accounts for about one-sixth of the total power production (statkraft.no).
Despite many benefits, hydropower has some environmental considerations as dams and reservoirs can disrupt local ecosystems, fish migration, and river flows. Like any major energy source, significant upfront costs are unavoidable, however, compared to other electricity sources, hydropower has relatively low costs throughout a full project lifetime in terms of maintenance, operations, and fuel.
As a supplier to the energy industry, Cegal works closely with many customers who strongly focus on renewable energy. We are also committed to saving the environment by using renewable energy ourselves.
By drawing on our extensive knowledge and many years of experience in the industry’s value chain and the opportunities in introducing new technology, we help increase the benefits of digitalization for companies and organizations worldwide within the production, transport, and sale of energy.
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