Hydropower: High-Performing and Multi-Facetted

Along with dams, pump storage power plants are among the most powerful hydropower plants for generating electricity.

Examples of Hydropower Facilities

If you have ever stood near the turbine of a hydropower plant, you know the power of the water. The world taps into this dynamic force at dams, hydroelectric plants, and pump storage power plants. In classic hydroelectric plants, spillways dam the water, creating a difference in water levels and generating electricity with a hydro turbine, among other methods. Pump storage power plants pump the water into an elevated basin or reservoir when the need for electricity is low and release it when demand is high. The energy output can thus be controlled. In bays, tidal power plants – which are turbine-equipped dams – are another example of a hydropower plant, though they are niche players. In this case, tidal forces drive the turbines. China, Brazil and the United States have the most installed hydropower capacity. In Europe, it is countries with high precipitation and large gradient differences that mostly benefit from hydropower. Norway and Iceland use it to cover most of their need for electricity. The figures for Austria, Switzerland and Italy are more than 50 percent.

Although wind power and solar power are rapidly catching up, hydropower is still viable for the future. Scott Sharpless, Global Key Account Manager, Renewable Energy, at Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies, knows why: “African and Asian countries, including India, are following the example of China, which has accelerated its economic expansion by building large numbers of hydropower plants.” With the damming of the Congo, the Grand Inga Dam is expected to become Africa’s – and indeed the entire world’s – largest hydropower plant.

Challenges Facing Hydropower

There are also disadvantages in the realization of hydropower plants. In many locations, it takes a long time for them to be approved and actually go into operation. And then there is the fact that dams, in particular, involve huge incursions into natural areas, which can have social consequences. A study published in the journal Water points to another problem. It found that 61 percent of all of today’s hydropower plants will be in high-risk areas for extreme drought, flooding or both between now and 2050. That means plans for new plants will need to take climate change into consideration.

Still, the existing facilities have provided reliable energy so far and will continue to operate for many decades. But this makes maintenance a challenge, according to Sharpless, who cites seals as an example. “The original drawings are often missing for the turbines that were installed decades ago. So, you have to get the dimensions of the metal and draft new drawings if you want to replace the seals with complete precision.” In addition, seal technology has evolved just as materials have. You must pay attention to that issue in existing equipment. Furthermore, hydropower turbines are not produced in series. Customized solutions are in demand, as are standardized seals.