The vast majority of renewable energy is still derived from moving water. Even China, the largest water-dam in the world, only uses one-fourth its potential hydroelectric energy.
What is stopping governments and companies using more river energy for their business? Hydroelectricity may be renewable but it isn’t sustainable.
Technology today uses dams to harness water’s energy. Large dams are costly and require energy to build. They also displace communities and threaten wildlife habitats.
China’s Three Gorges Dam has displaced over 1.3 million people. The Three Gorges Dam is the largest global consumer of dirt, concrete, steel, and stone. The dam increased river pollution in China and changed the landscape so much that many homes are now at risk from large landslides.
In the United States, there are 80,000 dams that divert and block water moving through them, changing river habitats to lakes. The dams prevent native fish from traveling upstream to spawn. They are more susceptible to diseases and predators, and can become ill from irrigation canals or turbines. The diversion dam caused the Sacramento River’s largest Chinook salmon run to collapse in 2008, which horrified fishermen.
Hydroelectric power is a cheap and reliable source of electricity that governments recognize. Currently, 19% of the world’s electricity comes from dams. New dams are being built in more than 80 countries. Before states use more hydroelectric power they should explore less destructive technologies.
Power of the Dream Ventures, Inc., a technology company based in Hungary, created a model for RiverPower, which can provide hydroelectric power without the need to build a dam.
RiverPower generators are submerged at strategic locations to harness the entire flow of a river to generate electricity. Modular generators allow for easy scaling. RiverPower supplies energy 24 hours per day because rivers don’t stop moving. This makes it more reliable than wind or solar energy.
RiverPower is available for further information. www.powerofthedream.com. Power of the Dream trades on the OTCBB Exchange under the symbol PWRV
