Hydropower is one of the mainstays of renewable energy in Indonesia. This electrical energy source utilizes the energy generated by the movement of water. The application of hydropower as an energy source has been applied for a long time. The term “hydro” itself comes from Ancient Greek. There has been some evidence that shows the use of water as an energy source. At that time, it was in the form of a waterwheel used to support irrigation.
What exactly is hydropower, and how does it work? To answer this question, you can refer to the following explanation below.
What is hydropower?
Hydropower is an energy source that utilizes water flow, both falling and fast-flowing water, to generate electricity or drive specific machines.
As mentioned earlier, this renewable energy has been used by ancient civilizations. At that time, it was used to drive waterwheels applied to irrigation systems and to drive mechanical devices such as wheat mills.
In Indonesia, it is better known as Hydroelectric Power. It is one of Indonesia’s mainstays of new and renewable energy. One of Indonesia’s hydropower plants, PLTA Cirata, is also the second-largest hydropower-based energy source in Southeast Asia.
How does hydropower work?
Water produces an electric current by converting its kinetic energy (or gravitational potential) into electric power. Before becoming electrical energy, the kinetic energy of water is converted into mechanical energy by a turbine device.
The turbine then produces mechanical energy. Furthermore, the energy is channeled to the generator. Well, this generator then produces electrical energy. It is renewable energy because it can produce electricity without stopping. Moreover, water will continue to exist because the hydrological cycle continues. The use of hydropower also minimizes carbon emissions, so it is suitable for environmental sustainability.
Types of hydropower
It can be categorized according to the electrical power produced. There are four categories of hydroelectric power generation, including:
- Pico hydro: hydroelectric power plants that produce up to 5 kW of power.
- Micro-hydro: hydroelectric power plants that produce up to 100 kW of power.
- Mini hydro: hydroelectric power plants that produce up to 1 MW of power.
- Large hydro: hydroelectric power plants that produce more than 100 MW of power. In Indonesia, a large hydro is commonly known as a dam.
What are the advantages of hydropower over other renewable energy?
There are several advantages of hydropower that other types of NRE do not have, including:
- The source of hydropower supply will never run out as long as the hydrological cycle on earth continues.
- Water does not have carbon emissions, so this renewable energy is environmentally friendly and does not damage the ozone layer
- In Indonesia, hydropower is classified as a domestic energy source, so its availability does not have to depend on other countries.
- On a large scale can also be used as a tourist attraction that offers a variety of recreational activities, such as fishing to boat rides.
- Hydropower tends to be flexible. Not only it can quickly switch from 0 power to maximum power but also generate electricity immediately, making it suitable to be used as a backup power provider during a disturbance in the electricity network.
- It can also provide other benefits such as flood control, support for irrigation systems, and producing water suitable for consumption.
Hydropower is an example of renewable energy with such broad benefits. Not only used to produce electrical energy, but it can also be used as a means of recreation, controlling floods, providing support for the irrigation system, and producing clean drinking water for the community.
Want to be part of the development of hydropower and other green projects in Indonesia? You can contribute through Anagata tokens (AHA). By having an AHA token, you have supported the development of green projects such as carbon trading to water conservation. You can get more information about AHA tokens here! Also, make sure you don’t miss any information about go green activities and AHA tokens by following Instagram and Telegram AHA tokens.