Hydroelectricity
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hydroelectricity is a form of hydropower, and is the most widely used form of renewable energy. Once a hydro complex is constructed, the project produces no direct waste, and has a considerably different level of carbon dioxide (CO2)--a greenhouse gas--output than fossil fuel powered energy plants. Hydroelectricity supplies an estimated 715,000 MWe or 19% of world electricity, (16% in 2003) accounting for over 63% of the total electricity from renewable sources in 2005.[1]
Although large hydroelectric installations generate most of the world's hydroelectricity, small hydro schemes are particularly popular in China, which has over 50% of world small hydro capacity.[1]
Some jurisdictions do not consider large hydro projects to be a sustainable energy source due to the human, economic and environmental impacts incurred as a result of dam construction and maintenance. Opposition considers hydropower to be an energy source of sometimes great potential when projects can be environmentally and economically effective, however they believe that that potential is currently being exploited in a way that provides neither democratic nor viable alternatives to energy needs.[2]
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