Advantages to hydroelectric power

Hydropower is one of the best generating options. Actually, an entire life-cycle assessment reveals that its greenhouse gas emissions are particularly reasonable.

As an example, a hydropower plant with a reservoir in a northern location produces 10 grms of carbon dioxide (CO2) per kilowatthour created, exactly the same amount as wind power. Solar energy, generated via photovoltaic panels, produces four times more GHGs, and a coal-fired power-plant creates than a hydropower plant.

In fact, compliment of our utilization of hydropower, during 2009 the electricity sector accounted for only 0.6percent of GHG emissions in Québec. An extraordinary overall performance!

In Québec, transportation is responsible for 44per cent of GHG emissions. Ultimately, electricity should be able to change an important percentage of the petroleum items made use of as vehicle fuels on our roadways. This electrification of ground transportation has an important affect Québec's ecological background and on neighboring markets.

Through its low GHG emissions, hydropower is a superb method to fight environment modification while supporting sustainable development.

Greenhouse gasoline emissions and hydroelectric reservoirs

• In which do greenhouse gases result from?
• Just how do they affect the environment?
• Are reservoirs a supply of greenhouse fuel emissions?

Map - Electricity generation in Canada and U.S. as well as its effect on greenhouse gases emissions

• Hydropower is a renewable energy source

In 2004, recognized hydropower as a source of energy. Considering that the supply of hydropower is liquid from annual precipitation over an enormous location, its considered inexhaustible.

Actually, water employs understanding referred to as hydrological period, described below.

The sunlight gets hotter the oceans, lakes and rivers, creating water evaporation. The resulting water vapour rises within the environment in which it condenses and produces clouds. As soon as the body weight of the liquid droplets or ice crystals which make within the clouds becomes fat, the droplets or crystals fall on a lawn by means of rain or snow. This way, water comes back towards earth and flows into ponds, rivers and oceans, in addition to pattern is repeated.

• Hydropower has exceptional energy performance

Hydropower requires a lot fewer energy losses during the generation process. Compared, the change of fossil fuels, such as for instance oil, natural gas and coal, usually contributes to substantial losses in the shape of temperature. Like, when coal is burned to come up with energy, two-thirds of its energy is lost. Liquid, however, is used to the final drop whilst pushes up against the blades of an electrical station turbine.

• There's a lot of liquid in Québec

In fact, it is the most water-rich regions on earth. It boasts over 130, 000 rivers and streams, and one million lakes. Over 40percent of Canada's liquid sources are in Québec. Surface water reserves in the province (natural ponds and reservoirs) cover about 12percent of the area.