Hydro-Power

The Use of Water as an Alternative Source of Energy

Charles Simeons

• Publisher: Pergamon
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN: 9780080232690
• eBook ISBN: 9781483145617
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Mechanical Engineering
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Hydro-Power: The Use of Water as an Alternative Source of Energy deals with the use of water as an alternative source of energy. The principles of the technology involved in the extraction of energy from water for use in some other form are discussed, and some of the projects that are being undertaken in a number of countries are described. Comprised of 12 chapters, this book begins with an overview of global energy consumption and projections for energy demand, along with electricity generation using hydraulic resources and developments in the use of hydroelectric power. The next chapter focuses on the principle of wave power as an energy source, with emphasis on how power can be derived from the slow oscillation of the waves; the economics of wave power; structural design of wave energy converters; and mooring considerations. Subsequent chapters explore national wave power programs in countries such as the United Kingdom, Japan, South Africa, Egypt, Mauritius, Norway, Sweden, and the United States; tidal power and hydrogen; and energy storage and hydroelectric schemes in Europe. The final chapter assesses the environmental impact of hydroelectric power. This monograph will be a useful resource for experts and policymakers in the field of energy as well as those with little knowledge of the potential contribution that water can make to the world's energy needs.

1

Water and the Energy Gap

Publisher Summary

This chapter provides an overview of water and the energy gap. Energy consumption runs in conjunction with the level of the gross domestic product. To reduce the import dependency on conventional energy sources such as oil, natural gas, and coal, there is a critical need for alternative strategies that are economical in the use of nonrenewable resources, have the least impact on the balance of payments, and are least harmful to the environment. This means promoting research and development of such alternative sources of supply as nuclear fusion, solar energy, geothermal energy, or the recovery, reuse, and recycling of all existing energy and materials. Water as a source of energy is a useful, although expensive, contribution. Water available under the right conditions offers considerable potential. Water management projects, however, involve consideration of a number of factors—legal and political, technological, environmental, and social impact. Hydroelectric energy was given a considerable boost with the advent of alternating current and its associated technology, which made transmission of electrical energy economical. The main benefit of hydropower is that it is inflation-proof. As with oil or coal-fired generation, the cost of building will rise, but with water, the fuel remains available as before. As this process continues and the cost of recovery of coal and oil continues to rise, the gap becomes reduced and an increasing number of hydro projects become a reality.

INTRODUCTION

Two thirds of world energy demand is accounted for by the United States, Japan and Western Europe: oil features prominently. Because of this dependence upon oil by these blocks, prices for oil and gas in 1973 were forced up. Consumption then fell.

In the following year published figures for world energy consumption showed it to be running at around 5600 mtoe. By 1975, the United Nations Organisations Statistics, published in 1976, showed that consumption had fallen still further, to 4060 mtoe. This was accounted for in part by conservation measures, but also as a result of industrial stagnation.

Today, the industrial world runs predominantly on oil, followed by natural gas and coal. Waterpower and nuclear energy contribute only a small part to the total demand. Proven reserves of oil and gas, recoverable through the use of current technology, are sufficient to meet world needs until 1990, and possibly beyond, although future discoveries may be sufficient to enable both to be used well beyond that date. Coal reserves are likely to be sufficient for a further hundred years. However, these reserves are not found where they are needed, but scattered world wide as well as being difficult to recover, in many instances. The problems associated with coal recovery are described in “Coal: Its role in tomorrow’s technology”.

Those in need of oil generally have to import while the countries possessing the reserves usually have very little need – that is until their manufacturing capabilities become developed.

It is not surprising therefore that alternative strategies are being pursued by countries world wide, since nations are interdependent and in need of international collaboration on an unprecedented scale. However, this type of exercise requires adequate backing – finance, labour resources and ingenuity – with a common objective, all brought together in a way rarely experienced except in times of war. The International Energy Agency and the European Community Commission are such vehicles.

While these organisations tend to work in international & EEC spheres, they often co-operate so avoiding duplication of effort.

ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND PROJECTIONS

Experience has shown that energy consumption runs parallel with the level of the Gross Domestic Product. This will place a theoretical strain on the large energy consuming countries. An indication of the trends can be seen from projections made, by the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, England, of energy demand growth rates for world regions employing assumptions for economic growth as the basis - using high and low levels, as shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1

Projected Energy Demand Growth Rates for World Regions

WOCA shown in Table 1 represents the world outside the communist area.

These projects for potential energy supply to 1985 take into account the unexpected surplus capacity for oil production during this period which might well inhibit the growth of alternatives. From 1985 to 2000 a fast expansion is assumed for both coal and nuclear energy although rates of expansion are constrained by the lead times necessary for developing the industries.

By comparison actual figures for the European Communities show in land consumption of primary energy, for each source, to be as listed in Table 2.

TABLE 2

Six Months Primary Energy Consumption Comparison 1977/8 for the Community

It is interesting to note from Table 2 that despite an overall increase in consumption of 1.3%, that derived from hydro-electric and geothermal sources fell by 16.3%. What the figures do not show, however, is that 90% of all coal burned was used in three countries only: th...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Also of Interest
• Copyright
• Foreword
• Chapter 1: Water and the Energy Gap
• Chapter 2: Wave Power
• Chapter 3: National Wave Power Programmes
• Chapter 4: Tidal Power
• Chapter 5: Tidal Power Development Programmes
• Chapter 6: Hydrogen
• Chapter 7: National Hydrogen Programmes
• Chapter 8: Energy Storage in Europe
• Chapter 9: Hydro Electric Schemes — Europe
• Chapter 10: Austral – Asia and Beyond
• Chapter 11: Hydro-Electric Schemes—The American Continent
• Chapter 12: Environmental Impact
• APPENDICES
• Bibliography
• Index