Hydropower in the Renewables mix.

Hydropower in the Renewables mix.

Accounting for over 16% of global electricity production(*), hydropower sits among the top three world's largest sources of renewable electricity generation, standing out as a strong contributor to the global energy mix. With its proven track record of reliability and scalability, hydropower plays a pivotal role in driving the transition towards a sustainable energy future. In addition to electricity generation, hydropower projects often serve as multipurpose infrastructure, providing flood control, irrigation, energy storage, and water supply.

As of 2020, hydropower's installed capacity exceeded 1,300 GW globally and is projected to surpass 1,600 GW by 2030, highlighting its widespread deployment across continents. China leads the world in hydropower installed capacity, followed by Brazil, the United States, Canada, and India, showcasing the diverse geographical distribution of this energy source.

Along with the rapid growth of other renewables such as solar and wind, hydropower remains a cornerstone of the renewable energy portfolio, providing essential baseload power and grid stability. Its ability to store energy through pumped storage facilities enhances grid flexibility, making it an indispensable complement to intermittent renewables. Pumped storage hydropower (PSH) represents a vital component of the global energy infrastructure, offering a unique solution to the challenges of intermittency and grid stability in renewable energy systems. By utilizing the principle of gravitational potential energy, PSH facilities store surplus electricity during periods of low demand by pumping water to an elevated reservoir, then release it through turbines to generate electricity when demand is high. This reversible process allows PSH to act as a large-scale energy storage system, providing valuable grid services such as load balancing, frequency regulation, and backup power during peak demand or renewable energy variability. Reliability, fast response times, and high efficiency, contribute to PSH's critical role in integrating variable renewable energy sources like wind and solar into the grid, ensuring a stable and resilient energy supply.

China's dominance in hydropower is expected to continue, with ambitious plans for further capacity expansion and technological innovation. South America, with its vast river systems, is poised to play a crucial role in global hydropower growth, particularly in countries like Brazil and Colombia. In Africa, hydropower presents immense untapped potential, offering opportunities for economic development and electrification in remote regions. With abundant water resources and a long history of hydropower development, the United States and Canada boast a diverse array of hydroelectric facilities, ranging from large-scale dams to small run-of-river installations. In recent years, there has been a renewed focus on expanding hydropower capacity to meet the region's growing energy needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

A positive outlook. Predicting the global share of hydropower electricity by 2050 involves various factors, including technological advancements, policy development, and shifts in energy demand. Based on current trends, it is anticipated that hydropower will maintain a significant portion of the global electricity mix by 2050. Ongoing advancements in hydropower technology such as improved turbine designs, increased efficiency, and enhanced environmental monitoring systems, will bolster the performance and sustainability of hydropower projects. The integration of hydropower projects with other renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, in hybrid energy systems presents exciting opportunities for optimizing energy production and grid stability. By combining the strengths of different renewables, hybrid systems can mitigate the variability inherent in individual sources and ensure reliability in electricity supply. PSH will play an increasingly vital role in balancing the grid and supporting the integration of solar and wind. As energy storage becomes more critical for grid stability, the expansion of PSH capacity is expected to accelerate. Hydropower can also be used to produce green hydrogen through electrolysis, offering a pathway to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors such as transportation, industry, and heating.

Diversity of hydropower projects: while large-scale hydropower projects have historically dominated the sector, there is growing interest in small-scale and decentralized hydropower installations. Micro-hydro and run-of-river projects offer opportunities for local energy production, particularly in rural and remote areas, contributing to energy access and community resilience.

The future role of hydropower in the energy sector characterized by its versatility, reliability, and sustainability, is poised to become even more prominent than it is today. As the world transitions to a low-carbon economy, hydropower will further strengthen the global energy mix, providing clean and flexible electricity for generations to come.

?(*) Source International Energy Agency (IEA) 'Hydropower, one of the world's largest source of renewable electricity generation, accounted for over 16% of global electricity production in 2020.'

Interesting to see hydropower highlighted as a key player in the transition to low carbon energy. What do you think are the main challenges to scaling up hydropower production in different regions?

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Tiziano Berlanda, CAPM

Banker | Associate Project Manager PMI-CAPM | Business Analyst

6 个月

I agree Ana Troncoso Ceola! Micro-hydro projects have tremendous potential, especially for remote communities. Here in British Columbia (Canada), many of these communities rely on diesel power generation and are far from the main grid. Implementing micro-hydro systems, like the Steff turbine, could provide a sustainable and reliable energy source, significantly reducing dependence on diesel and enhancing community resilience. It's an excellent way to promote local energy production and sustainability. ??? #Hydropower #SustainableEnergy #RenewableEnergy #CommunityResilience #MicroHydro #CleanEnergy #EnergyAccess #BC

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