Articles tagged with "hydroelectric-power"
Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Is Having a Renaissance
The article highlights a renewed interest and innovation in pumped hydro energy storage as the world integrates more renewable energy sources into power grids. Pumped hydro, a technology dating back centuries, stores energy by moving water between reservoirs at different elevations to generate electricity when needed. Traditionally reliant on large reservoirs and high elevations, the technology is now being reimagined to better suit modern grid demands, particularly to balance the variability of wind and solar power. A key example is RheEnergise, a British company developing a novel system using a mineral-based fluid denser than water, allowing energy storage in smaller spaces and at lower elevations. Their demonstration plant near Plymouth, England, uses this fluid to drive turbines and store energy more efficiently, potentially unlocking thousands of new viable sites for pumped hydro globally. This renaissance in pumped hydro is driven by the urgent need to reduce wasted renewable energy—such as the UK's £1 billion loss from curtailed wind power in 2024—and to provide flexible, rapid-response grid balancing. The
energypumped-hydroenergy-storagerenewable-energygrid-managementhydroelectric-powerenergy-innovation10 largest dams in the world and their incredible engineering feats
The article highlights the world’s ten largest hydroelectric dams, emphasizing their monumental engineering achievements and multifaceted roles in energy generation, flood control, and regional development. These dams represent decades of innovation and investment, showcasing how nations harness river systems to meet energy demands while addressing environmental and economic challenges. The list is ranked by installed hydroelectric capacity, illustrating the scale and impact of these megastructures. Leading the list is China’s Three Gorges Dam, the most powerful hydroelectric dam globally with a capacity of 22,500 MW. Completed in 2006 on the Yangtze River, it not only generates 84 terawatt-hours annually but also improves flood control and navigation, significantly boosting shipping capacity and reducing costs. China’s Baihetan Dam, completed in 2022 with 16,000 MW capacity, features the world’s most powerful single-unit turbines and plays a key role in reducing coal dependence and enhancing energy access in western provinces. The Itaipu Dam, a Brazil
energyhydroelectric-powerdamsrenewable-energyinfrastructureelectricity-generationwater-engineering7 US States Fail To Agree On How To Share Colorado River Water - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the ongoing and contentious negotiations among seven US states and Mexico over the allocation of water from the Colorado River, a critical resource supplying 40 million people and irrigating 80% of the crops feeding 330 million Americans. The river is currently overdrawn by approximately 3.5 million acre-feet annually—equivalent to about 1 trillion gallons—due to reduced snowfall in the Rocky Mountains and increased evaporation from rising temperatures. This overuse has depleted the river’s reserves by over 10 trillion gallons in the past two decades, causing historic lows in major reservoirs like Lake Mead and Lake Powell, which also provide hydroelectric power to the Southwest. For two years, the states have been negotiating under federal directive to reduce water usage but have yet to reach a consensus. The complexity arises from historical water rights agreements and the competing demands of growing cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles, as well as Mexico’s agricultural needs. While officials claim progress has been made and negotiations
energywater-managementhydroelectric-powerColorado-Riverdroughtclimate-changeirrigationCarbon removal facility with 500,000-ton capacity to launch in Canada
Deep Sky, a Canadian company, plans to build one of the world’s largest carbon removal facilities in southwestern Manitoba, with an expected annual capacity of 500,000 tons of CO₂ removal at full scale. Construction will begin in 2026 with an initial phase targeting 30,000 tons, representing an investment exceeding $200 million. The project is supported by the Dakota Grand Council and aligns with their long-term economic development strategy focused on sustainability. Southwestern Manitoba is considered an ideal location due to its suitable geology for underground CO₂ storage, recent provincial legislation enabling such storage, and access to clean hydroelectric power essential for low-emission direct air capture (DAC) technology. The facility is anticipated to bring significant economic benefits to the region, including construction and operational jobs, opportunities for local businesses, and indirect economic growth. Manitoba’s government emphasizes the project’s role in advancing industrial innovation and climate leadership, positioning the province among a select group globally capable of hosting large-scale carbon removal infrastructure. Deep Sky’s
energycarbon-capturerenewable-energyhydroelectric-powercarbon-removal-technologysustainable-developmentclean-energyRevitalized Pumped-Storage Hydropower Plant is a Renewable Energy Game-Changer in the Philippines - CleanTechnica
The Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) Hydroelectric Power Plant in the Philippines, nearly a century old, has been revitalized through privatization by the Thunder Consortium—a partnership of Aboitiz Renewables, Sumitomo Corporation, and Japan’s J-Power—following the third Green Energy Auction. Hydropower remains a dominant renewable energy source in the Philippines, supplying 13% of the country’s electricity, which surpasses the combined 9–10% from solar and wind. Importantly, pumped-storage hydropower like CBK offers significant energy storage advantages over current battery technologies, enabling the storage of surplus energy during low-demand periods and rapid generation during peak demand, thus complementing intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind. The CBK complex’s origins date back to 1937 when American military engineer Lieutenant Colonel Hugh J. Casey initiated its construction with the vision of using high-head hydroelectric design to flood the Cavinti Valley and generate
energyrenewable-energyhydropowerpumped-storagehydroelectric-powerenergy-storagePhilippines-energyIndia's Renewable Energy Is Progressing, But The World Isn't Paying Attention (Part 1) - CleanTechnica
India has rapidly transformed into a global renewable energy leader, becoming the world’s third-largest renewable energy producer within a decade. As of October 2024, India’s renewable capacity reached 203.18 GW, accounting for 46.3% of its total installed power capacity. This growth is especially notable in the solar sector, where capacity surged from 9.01 GW in 2016 to nearly 98 GW by early 2025, making India a major hub for solar manufacturing and deployment. Beyond solar, India has diversified its renewable portfolio with significant wind power generation, ambitious government targets for wind capacity expansion, and substantial hydroelectric power capacity, ranking fifth globally. The country is also exploring emerging technologies like wave energy through partnerships such as that between Eco Wave Power and Bharat Petroleum. Supporting this expansion is a robust infrastructure framework, including 58 solar parks totaling 40 GW of sanctioned capacity, which optimize land use and grid efficiency. In fiscal year 2025 alone, India added 25
energyrenewable-energysolar-powerwind-energyhydroelectric-powerclean-energyenergy-infrastructureChina debuts world's largest 300 billion kWh hydro-power dam in Tibet
China has officially launched construction of the world’s largest hydroelectric dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, with a projected annual electricity output of 300 billion kilowatt-hours—about three times that of the Three Gorges Dam. The project, announced by Premier Li Qiang and initiated in July 2025 near the Indian border city of Nyingchi, will feature five cascade hydro-power stations and requires an estimated investment of 1.2 trillion yuan (approximately $167 billion). While primarily aimed at generating electricity for external markets, it will also supply local energy needs in Tibet. China asserts that comprehensive scientific assessments have been conducted to prevent negative impacts on downstream ecosystems, geological stability, and the water rights of neighboring countries, emphasizing benefits such as disaster prevention, climate adaptation, and regional energy cooperation. Despite these assurances, the dam has raised significant concerns in India and Bangladesh due to the transboundary nature of the river—known as the Brahmaputra downstream. Officials and analysts worry
energyhydroelectric-powerrenewable-energydam-constructionChina-energy-projectswater-resourcesclimate-change-adaptationA cloud seeding startup did not cause the Texas floods
The article addresses and debunks the conspiracy theory that a cloud seeding startup, Rainmaker, caused the devastating floods in Texas. Despite online rumors, atmospheric scientists from the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Illinois confirm that cloud seeding had no role in the floods. Cloud seeding, a practice dating back to the 1950s, involves spraying particles like silver iodide into clouds to encourage ice crystal formation, which can enhance precipitation. However, its effects are relatively small compared to the massive scale of natural storms. Cloud seeding is primarily used in winter near mountain ranges in the western U.S. to increase snowfall and build snowpack, which later replenishes water reservoirs. Studies, including one conducted in Idaho, show that cloud seeding can add measurable precipitation (e.g., 186 million gallons over a few hours), which is beneficial for drought-stricken areas but negligible compared to the trillions of gallons involved in large storms. Furthermore, Rainmaker’s seeding activities occurred days
energycloud-seedingprecipitation-enhancementsilver-iodidewater-resourceshydroelectric-powerdrought-mitigationInside The Iberian Grid Collapse: What Really Went Wrong - CleanTechnica
On April 28, 2025, the Iberian Peninsula suffered a major blackout when the Spain and Portugal grids disconnected from the wider European system due to a cascading failure at 12:33 PM. Despite occurring during mild spring conditions with moderate demand and abundant renewable energy, the blackout was not caused by renewables themselves. Instead, it resulted from multiple failures: 50% due to human errors in planning, 30% from legacy generation units not performing as expected, and 20% from renewables disconnecting because they were not configured to handle the scenario—highlighting human and system design shortcomings rather than technological faults. Prior black-start procedures, relying heavily on hydroelectric plants with autonomous restart capabilities, were successfully executed to restore the grid, underscoring the continued importance of such resources even as battery storage and inverter-based technologies grow. The blackout was precipitated by persistent voltage fluctuations and frequency oscillations throughout the morning, revealing structural weaknesses like insufficient dynamic voltage regulation and poor oscillation damping.
energypower-gridrenewable-energyblackoutelectricity-systemgrid-stabilityhydroelectric-powerNepal’s Electric Leapfrog: How This Himalayan Nation Is Leading Global EV Adoption - CleanTechnica
Nepal, a Himalayan nation of 30 million people, is emerging as a global leader in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, with about 70% of new passenger vehicles sold recently being electric. This rapid transition defies the common notion that EVs are mainly viable in wealthy countries with advanced infrastructure. Nepal’s success is underpinned by its nearly 100% hydroelectric-powered grid, which supplies clean, reliable, and domestically produced electricity to 94% of the population as of 2024. This extensive electrification, supported by investments in grid reliability and infrastructure upgrades, enables the country to reduce emissions and cut costly petroleum imports, which exceeded $2.5 billion in 2022/23. The shift to EVs has been driven by strategic government policies and a diversified vehicle market featuring Chinese, Indian, Korean, and European manufacturers. Kathmandu, the capital, now hosts a wide range of electric cars and a growing fleet of electric three-wheelers (safa tempos) and
energyelectric-vehiclesrenewable-energyhydroelectric-powergrid-electrificationsustainable-transportationenergy-infrastructureNorway, A View from the Inside - CleanTechnica
energyelectric-vehiclesEV-transitionhydroelectric-powerbattery-technologyclean-airNorwayLào khởi công dự án thủy điện 124 MW đối nối hệ thống điện Việt Nam
energyhydroelectric-powerrenewable-energyelectricity-generationLaosinfrastructure-developmentclean-energy