It's not easy being green: Environmental technologies enhance conventional hydropower's role in sustainable development

Abstract

Conventional hydroelectric generation uses a renewable energy source and currently supplies approximately 10% of the annual output of electricity in the United States and approximately 20% of electricity generated worldwide. To provide a significant contribution to sustainable development, the hydropower industry must address a variety of environmental concerns, including water quality and fish passage issues. The paper discusses new technologies for turbine design and control systems to improve dissolved oxygen levels in turbine discharges and survival of fish during turbine passage. The paper describes development, testing, and test results for these technologies, with an emphasis on collaboration of stakeholders and balance between environmental stewardship and economical power production.