Hydroelectricity - Advantages and Disadvantages - Advantages and disadvantages table in GCSE Geography

Created by: Micah
Created on: 20-01-13 21:30


	Hydroelectricity - Advantages and Disadvantages
	Advantages Once the dam is built the energy is basically freee. No waste or pollution produced. Quite reliable (more reliable than wind energy or solar energy for example) Water can be stored above the dam ready to cope with times when more electricity and energy is needed (these are called 'peak times'). Constant generation of electricity.	Disadvantages Dams are expensive to build. Building a larger dam may flood an area upstream destroying many habitats. Finding a suitable site is difficult as the impact on local residents and the environment has to be taken into account. Water quality and quantity may be affected downstream.
	Evaluation Although the dams are expensive to build for hydroelectricity it is a worthwhile investment because the energy produced afterwards is free. This means that many homes can be powered at low cost once building is completed without any waste or pollution being produced. This means that as well as being 'environmentally-friendly' after the initial building costs the energy generated is 'financially-friendly.' Hydroelectricity can also cope with peak times due to the constant generation of electricity and the storage of water above the dam. However because suitable locations are hard to find especially since flooding may occur in upstream areas, the building of a dam should be taken into deep consideration and impacts on both the local residents and the environment would have to be taken into account. However, water quality downstream may be monitored to reduce the potential risk of lower quality water, this would limit the impacts of the dam. Overall, hydroelectricity is a good source of energy and in my opinion has more advantages than disadvantages.

Hydroelectricity - Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

Once the dam is built the energy is basically freee.
No waste or pollution produced.
Quite reliable (more reliable than wind energy or solar energy for example)
Water can be stored above the dam ready to cope with times when more electricity and energy is needed (these are called 'peak times').
Constant generation of electricity.

Disadvantages

Dams are expensive to build.
Building a larger dam may flood an area upstream destroying many habitats.
Finding a suitable site is difficult as the impact on local residents and the environment has to be taken into account.
Water quality and quantity may be affected downstream.

Evaluation

Although the dams are expensive to build for hydroelectricity it is a worthwhile investment because the energy produced afterwards is free. This means that many homes can be powered at low cost once building is completed without any waste or pollution being produced. This means that as well as being 'environmentally-friendly' after the initial building costs the energy generated is 'financially-friendly.' Hydroelectricity can also cope with peak times due to the constant generation of electricity and the storage of water above the dam. However because suitable locations are hard to find especially since flooding may occur in upstream areas, the building of a dam should be taken into deep consideration and impacts on both the local residents and the environment would have to be taken into account. However, water quality downstream may be monitored to reduce the potential risk of lower quality water, this would limit the impacts of the dam. Overall, hydroelectricity is a good source of energy and in my opinion has more advantages than disadvantages.

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Hydroelectricity - Advantages and Disadvantages