Hydropower Technology, Paper Series (SOS/SCM 485)

As part of an ongoing series of academic papers in SOS/SCM 485 I co-wrote sections related to Hydropower. Below are excerpts of my sections, with further notes in italics.

Hydropower as a Sustainable Technology

Hydropower is one of the oldest forms of renewable energy used by humankind. Some of the earliest examples of hydropower being used for mechanical purposes are Greek wheat grinders (Bagher, A., et. al., 2015). Businesses today could benefit immensely from water based power systems, all while also contributing to a more sustainable future.

Today’s sustainability issues are increasingly all encompassing, including rapidly advancing technologies. We have chosen to focus on hydropower, an ancient form of renewable energy. Though used historically with simple means, the technology of modern times can offer even better collection, distribution, and monitoring of water as an energy source.

Our search strategy will utilize key phrases around the known pros and cons of hydropower, such as “history of hydropower,” “sustainable water uses,” “hydropower examples,” “run-of-the-river,” and “Pumped hydroelectric storage (PHES)”. We will also search scholarly databases for the intersection of economic, environmental, and social impacts from the construction, execution, and maintenance of hydropower infrastructure.

To maintain a high level of reputability we will opt to pull our research from peer reviewed science journals, academic textbooks, governmental sites, and other scholarly publications adjacent to them. We aim to find sources from the last 10 years, though some older historic examples of hydropower may be used where applicable.

We believe these search parameters will maintain a high level of academic integrity, and provide us with the most consistent and up to date information. We will also collectively verify each others’ sources to ensure that all information used in our project is accurate and used properly.

Renewable energy is of paramount importance in addressing the climate crisis (Mooney & Dennis, 2016). From a sustainability perspective hydropower has a long history of success, though growing demands for electricity may mean that hydropower alone is not the answer. However, many other renewable sources, such as wind and solar, have received much attention in the past decade, while water based power systems have not increased in technological advances in the same way (Mooney & Dennis, 2016). Hydropower is also particularly interesting as an intersectional sustainability issue, as the creation of dams and hydroelectric systems inherently protects and reshapes the use of land around them, often resulting in increased recreational areas (Bagher, A., et. al., 2015).

Assessment of Hydropower Technology

Hydropower is the harnessed kinetic power generated from falling, flowing, or otherwise moving water, transformed into electricity. We will be considering the environmental, economic, and social benefits and disadvantages of hydropower. Though hydropower alone is insufficient to support a modern energy grid, as a renewable energy source it is an important contributor.

Our analysis centers on modern technologies used in hydropower, though it is notable that more simplistic forms of hydropower have been used by humans for thousands of years. For this reason hydropower is considered a “mature technology” (Bagher, A., et. al., 2015). In this paper, we will focus on the more common form of hydropower innovation, namely Pumped Storage Hydropower (PHS), which utilizes multiple reservoirs.

Hydropower has many benefits, but as with many human-constructed systems its presence can cause environmental damage, economic burdens, and social costs. During the construction of dams naturally occurring waterways are diverted, halted, or rerouted entirely. Even once a dam is in use the water does not flow downstream in the same way it once did. This can cause displacement for animals, plants, and people who previously lived downstream. Dams are also extremely costly upfront to construct, which can cause an economic burden locally, though this cost will eventually be paid back by money saved because of the waters’ renewable source, even this has been brought into recent debate due to climate change (Moran, et. al., 2018). However, this displacement and environmental restructuring can generate the benefits of reduced flooding upstream, and increased surrounding areas, which are frequently a part of dam construction (Kirmani, F., et. al., 2021). Additionally, the negative effects of climate change are often considered to outweigh the costs of hydropower plants (Kirmani, F., et. al., 2021), so long as those plants are consistently maintained and updated as better, safer, technology becomes available (Moran, et. al., 2018).

In conclusion, our assessment of hydropower is an overall positive one. Low-emission energy sources are a necessity, and though dams and related infrastructure can be materially and economically demanding, as a mature technology with well-proven innovations hydropower can be safely and effectively applied to a number of different water sources, types, and settings (Bagher, A., et. al., 2015). Hydropower is a worthwhile sustainable investment.

The Key Environmental and Social Hotspots Associated with Hydropower

Hydropower is a mature technology (Bagher, A., et. al., 2015), meaning it has been utilized for many years. As such, the knowledge about hydropower’s sustainability is well researched and documented. Some of the earliest documentation of hydropower is from two thousand years ago in Greece, back when the concept of non-renewable energy hadn’t yet been developed (U.S. Department of Energy, 2022). Today the environmental, economic, and social concerns of hydropower continue to be researched, though notably solar and wind energy have received more innovation and focus recently than their water based counterparts (Mooney & Dennis, 2016).

Key issues related to the environment are most often related to the site choice and construction of major dams. It is important to recognize that there are hydropower options that do not involve massive, often overbuilt structures, and that using lesser common designs such as run-of-the-river, vortex turbines, and wave energy innovations may solve such issues (TechTales Media, 2024; CNBC 2022). However, most dams today are large, primarily cement buildings- which means they have a heavy impact on both the local landscape and materials’ quarry source. Dams also redirect, halt, or otherwise shift the flow of water from its natural course, which can dislocate and harm native flora and fauna. In tragic cases when the maintenance of such large structures was lacking, breaks in dams have caused extreme flooding downstream, resulting in the erasure of downstream habitats, including peoples’ homes (Kirmani, et. al., 2021; CNBC 2022). Though these environmental concerns seem daunting it is important to remember that our current coal reliance is also detrimental to the environment, both during extraction and energy use. Though hydropower is demanding on environmental structures upfront it is a renewable energy, with a long-term lifecycle. Even when compared to wind and solar, projects often seen as twenty year investments, hydropower structures are considered viable for a minimum of fifty years (CNBC, 2022). To minimize such effects, and maximize environmental upsides continued maintenance and innovation is crucial (Kirmani, et. al., 2021). Additionally, because the land around a dam structure is impacted so greatly most dams have expanded recreational areas set aside as part of their construction plans, which can allow people and animals greater access to the lakes or reservoirs (Kirmani, et. al., 2021; Bagher, A., et. al., 2015), thereby conserving land adjacent to hydropower plants. Similarly, because the water isn’t used up or lost in the process of generating electricity, well-managed hydropower facilities can consistently provide electric output. This efficiency decreases reliance on fossil fuels, which has the benefits of clean air, less pollution, and less non-renewable energy dependence (Bagher, A., et. al., 2015; US Army Corps of Engineers, n. d.). Most dams in the U. S. were originally built to address flooding issues (CNBC, 2022), which can be an environmental benefit assuming the areas saved from flooding are utilized properly. More recent innovations in hydropower such as small submerged turbines, vortex generators, closed-loop reservoirs, and wave energy devices expand the environmentally safe options for capturing water’s renewable energy (TechTales Media, 2024).

Forecasting the Future of Hydropower

Hydropower technology is a mature technology (Kirmani, 2021), and thus the vast majority of parts, pieces, constructions, materials, and processi are specific (see Appendix). However, innovation is not only focused on the efficiencies of cost and construction - though those are common starting points for hydropower initiatives. Relatively new forms of harnessing water’s power generating capabilities have expanded innovations. Some of the more notable modern technologies are wave energy, vortex turbines, and non-dammed turbines, and even amongst these there are multiple variations, firms, and designs (TechTales, 2024).

An unique element of hydropower, compared to other forms of renewable energy such as wind and solar, is the retrofitting of already existing structures. It’s estimated that over 90% of the dams in the United States are not power producing, originally being constructed for flooding and water control reasons (HydroNEXT, 2015). Adding the hydroelectric technologies to these infrastructures blurs the line between fluid and specific states of technology. There is a component of customizable tech, and creative design that still pulls from the mature tech currently used in the industry (Musa, et. al., 2023).

In our model, the general overview of hydropower is as a specific technology. Though other stages are sprinkled in, they are the exception. This reflects the nature of hydroelectric plants today, where some new, fluid technologies are present, but are not the norm. Some elements within hydropower, such as the shape of turbine fins, are a transitional technology, however these representations are inconsistently applied. Typically, performance pressures and regular maintenance swallow the large costs of implementing such innovations (Uría-Martínez, 2018). Due to the nature of most hydropower infrastructures, which are rather overbuilt, costly, and long term investments (CNBC, 2022), non-specific technologies are a rarity.

Appendix

Modified Checklist of Utterback’s Life Cycle Model

Dimension	My technology is…	Description
Innovation	Specific	As a mature technology, hydropower innovation focuses on instrumental changes. Even up and coming innovations, such as wave energy, vortex turbines, etc. still utilize main components similar to those that have been in use for centuries. Though individual projects may have some more unique designs, elements used in and around hydropower plants are often standardized for safety, and there isn't much wiggle room for any disruptive innovations.
Source of innovation	Fluid	The sources of innovations are a broad mix. Some larger entities are large, like Universities, Industry leaders, and Governments. However, small startups with their own concepts also exist, especially in the realm of wave energy technology. As such both users, those interested in renewable energies (such as governments), and inventors all have a slice of the pie.
Products	Specific	The products in hydropower are overwhelmingly standardized. Though the exact specs for projects vary due to environmental conditions, the pieces and parts are the same, or extremely similar. Even with newer progressive technologies the products within them, such as turbines, are still standardized.
Production	Specific	Generally, the development of a hydropower plant, as an entire entity, is a specific technology. It is extremely cost intensive, but if well managed, efficiently deployed. There is a unique element to hydropower in that the location determines many facets of the technology required. Hydroelectric plants close to a well established energy grid, in a typical river or reservoir setting, would be a specific state example. But all dams are customized to their environmental particulars. In cases where transporting the energy generated is a challenge, or where the environmental features are more demanding a fluid technology state may overlap with the production.
R&D	Transitional/ specific	A large amount of research and development is driven by the desire to gain efficiencies. However, beyond the typical manufacturing that is process technology based, there is an exploration of materiality, longevity, and decreasing maintenance requirements. These would be considered transitional technologies, as they are primarily focused on the specific features, and capabilities of components.
Equipment	Fluid	The equipment used to make hydropower facilities is general construction equipment, and the skilled labor of construction employees. This is an area of hydropower that has yet to experience disruptive technologies. It is also notable that traditional dam constructions often take several years, so innovations in this part of hydropower could be highly impactful.
Plant	Unclear/ Lack of consistent data	In typical manufacturing the location of plants can be vital to the success, or failure, of new technologies. However, because materials for construction are abundant, and construction is the major, pinnacle, process for hydroelectricity, there is no "plant" in the typical sense.
Cost of process change	Specific	To shift, retrofit, change, or challenge current processes tends to be high, both when measured with capital and time. This is especially true in the part of the process around permits for dam building. However, in all parts of the process any significant change is very costly.
Competitors	Specific	Since most major projects are government projects, competitors bid for work, or are otherwise tied to governmental agencies. Since the market share is stable, there are few competitors as these projects are so costly and complex to take on. There are technically many competitors for smaller, private projects for dams, but the majority of these are not tied to hydropower.  However there are initiatives (in the US specifically) to promote including hydropower goals in smaller projects, which could influence this state in the coming years.
Basis of competition	Unclear/ Lack of consistent data	Competition is perhaps generally linked to price, but because of the individual nature of each project, due to location, surrounding infrastructure required, and existing energy grid, so product variation is a reality. And functional performance is viral to successful projects. All of these must exist cohesively.
Organizational controls	Specific	Most hydropower plants, if not all in certain countries, are organized and controlled by government agencies. As such, roles, regulations, and controls are all formally in place.
Vulnerabilities	Transition	The greatest vulnerability in hydropower technology is in the demand for these plants and their elements to be of high quality, and extremely efficient. Hydropower infrastructure is often permitted to operate for 40 years, with more efficient components inserted as time, maintenance, and money supplies. Thus, though hydropower is primarily in a specific state, its vulnerabilities are transitional.

Forecasts and Predictions about the Adoption of Hydropower

Here specifically we were to write a formal, APA formatted memo to someone of influence whose adoption of hydropower technology would be significant. I chose to make the memo to the Governor of my home state.

TO: The Office of J. B. Pritzger, Governor of Illinois

FROM: Rev. Abigail Amstutz, citizen of Peoria, IL. [And others of ASU’s Business & Sustainability II course]

DATE: February 18, 2024

SUBJECT: State-Wide Adoption of Hydropower

Our analysis of hydropower as a worthwhile, long-term, sustainable investment sees Illinois as an excellent candidate for statewide adoption of this renewable energy source. Under Gov. Pritzger, solar and wind energy have seen significant investments (Illinois Power Agency, n. d.). Illinois has long been at the forefront of renewable energy solutions, being one of the largest suppliers of nuclear energy. Hydropower offers all the benefits as a renewable energy if one can have the foresight to invest in its longer term strategies. However, hydropower also requires a specific setting, one where water is consistently moving and where waterways are in a context close to an energy grid. Illinois is ideally suited to invest in hydropower for these reasons. With a long history of flooding issues (Illinois Department of Public Health, 2015; The Nature Conservancy, 2021), and many prominent water features, Illinois is well suited for a statewide adoption of hydroelectric power plants. Here are key sustainability issues for Illinois that hydropower helps address: 

• Flooding 

Illinois consistently experiences heavy precipitation in spring, autumn, and winter, and is expected to experience more intense “wet seasons” as climate change progresses (The Nature Conservancy, 2021).  Along the Illinois River and Mississippi River valleys most notably, seasonal flooding has become the norm, and citizens along these rivers regularly bear the price of these natural disasters (Illinois Department of Public Health, 2015). Investing in hydropower infrastructure could greatly help with this seasonal issue, as nearly all variations of hydropower infrastructure include damming, and increasing reservoir capacities. 

• Cleaner Air

It has long been documented that Illinois struggles with air quality (Sierra Club, 2023). Hydropower is an extremely low emission energy source, as most emissions are generated from the construction of the hydropower plant, not the process of energy generation from the plant. Additionally, hydropower plants typically have conserved lands around them, which can help protect, or even further spread forest wetland habitation (Kirmani, et. al., 2021). These protected green spaces also positively impact air quality. 

• Increased Recreational Areas

A recent goal for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is to restore some of these key environmental landscapes (Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 2021). These efforts frequently work in tandem with the construction of hydropower facilities (Kirmani, et. al., 2021). Illinois has a proud history of progressive park districts and conservation efforts. Since COVID-19 the expectation for more accessible green spaces has increased (Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 2021). Such investments must continue as climate change continues to impact our health (Illinois Department of Public Health, 2015). 

• Economic Benefits 

Gov. Prtitzger has prioritized job creation during his terms in office, especially green energy jobs (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, n.d.). The construction of hydropower facilities can especially stimulate economic growth in specific nearby communities, which can be a strategic measure employed by the state. In addition to these economic benefits, there are saved costs from reduced flooding damages and the health risks they pose (Kirmani, et. al., 2021; The Nature Conservancy, 2021). This is especially important in light of climate change, as extreme weather events are projected to rise (Illinois Department of Public Health, 2015). 

Please note the intersections to these benefits. For example, embedding a hydropower plant in an area often damaged by flooding can help prevent future flooding while simultaneously supporting nearby land for recreational access, creating new employment opportunities, and decreasing air pollution. Hydropower is exceptionally durable, and a stable investment in areas with decent waterways. Illinois has an abundance of untapped potential due to consistent wet seasons, various sizes of waterways, and an inspirational history of recreational land protection, conservation investment, and renewable energy adoption. As Illinois continues to contribute to a more sustainable future we urge its plans and policies to include a statewide adoption of hydropower.  

References

These are collected from the sections I specifically wrote and this section is not an exhaustive reference list for the entire semester.

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American Journal of Energy Science; 2(2): 17-20.

http://www.openscienceonline.com/journal/energy

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https://youtu.be/ZSUoClnyyN4?feature=shared

HydroNEXT. (2015, February). HydroNEXT Fact Sheet. U. S. Office of Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy.

https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2015/02/f20/HydroNEXT-fact-sheet_2%2024%2015.pdf

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Challenges and Opportunities. Oak Ridge National Laboratory. https://info.ornl.gov/sites/publications/Files/Pub190558.pdf

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The World [Video]. Youtube. https://youtu.be/SpoBhhJpRag?feature=shared.

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