08-16-2017, 10:35 PM
Hydropower and the World's Energy Future
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Introduction
As we move into the twenty-first century, global economic prosperity is driving the consumption of energy
to record levels, with electricity consumption anticipated to increase at rates faster than overall energy
supply. The vast majority (80 per cent) of energy today is provided from thermal sources, i.e. coal, gas and
oil; but there are growing global concerns regarding the lack of sustainabilit y of these forms of energy that
bring into question their use in a long-term energy strategy.
Concerns over disruptive fossil fuel markets and uncertain pricing, the current decline of nuclear energy as a
viable energy source and the significant environmental consequences of thermal energy sources have placed
greater emphasis on sustainable energy policies that include the significant development of renewable
energy supplies.
The Global Energy Picture
The Energy Information Agency at the United States Department of Energy and the World Energy Council
monitor global energy consumption on a regular basis. EIA's latest report, International Energy Outlook
2000 includes a forecast that total energy consumption, world-wide, from all sources, will grow by 60
percent between 1997 and 2020. Consumption is expected to increase from 111,000 TWh/year to 178,000
TWh/year.
Benefits of Hydropower
Hydropower provides unique benefits, rarely found in other sources of energy. These benefits can be
attributed to the electricity itself, or to side-benefits, often associated with reservoir development.
Despite the recent debates, few would disclaim that the net environmental benefits of hydropower are far
superior to fossil-based generation. In 1997, for example, it has been calculated that hydropower saved GHG
emissions equivalent to all the cars on the planet (in terms of avoided fossil fuel generation).