Essay Sample on Alternative Energy Sources: The Future of Economic Development

Introduction

Energy runs the world. It powers countries, runs factories and mobilizes cars. Therefore, energy determines the economic development of countries. Traditionally, countries have relied on oil and burning of fossil fuels as the main sources of energy. However, these sources have proven to be a hazard to the environment, and with the sources fast depleting, there is a growing demand for alternative sources of energy (Owusu and Asumadu 3). Also, to protect the environment, there is a need for alternative sources of energy that are renewable and whose effects on the environment are greatly reduced. One of the main alternative sources of energy is hydroelectric energy. Hydroelectric energy uses the gravitational force of water to turn turbines which in turn generate electricity. Hydroelectric energy is renewable since its sources can be replenished. The reduced effects of hydroelectric energy on the environment has increased its use across the world. However, it also faces challenges in the form of drying rivers which lead to low production, especially during the dry season and its effects on the environment. Although hydroelectric energy faces criticism for its effects on the environment and its lack of reliability, its advantages outweigh its disadvantages as it offers huge untapped potential whose negative effects can be mitigated.

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Importance of Hydroelectric Energy to the Country

The United States has a huge potential for hydroelectric energy. However, much of this energy remains untapped, with only 6% of the net energy produced harnessed from hydroelectric energy (Bracmort et al. 1). The United States has approximately 80,000 dams, but only 3% of these dams are used to generate hydroelectric energy (Murkowski & Faison, par 4). If the country invested in hydroelectric energy, it would increase its use to 27% of the total energy generated (Tarlock 1735). These statistics show the severe underutilization of hydroelectric energy in the United States. The existing hydroelectric plants use technologies installed fifty years ago, which has greatly reduced efficiency while increasing its disadvantages (Murkowski and Faison par 6). Therefore, the country needs to invest in upgrading the existing plants by making use of new technologies such as hydrokinetic devices to increase the production of energy.

The harnessing of hydroelectric energy also faces challenges which have deterred private companies from investing. Licenses to build new plants or renewal of licenses is very costly, which is a barrier to investors. The approval process before opening hydroelectric plants is bureaucratic and takes a long time, thus putting further restraints. The government, through Congress, needs to remove these bottlenecks and offer incentives for private companies investing in hydroelectric energy.

Hydroelectric energy is not adequate to sustain the demand for the entire nation, but, it can be used to supplement other sources of energy. The demand for electric energy varies with peak and off-peak durations. The highest demand arises during summer when there is increased use of electric fans and during winter when heaters are used. Therefore, states can utilize hydroelectric energy during peak hours by storing water in reservoirs and only converting it to electric energy when the demand increases. The main advantage of hydroelectric energy, in this case, is its reliability and its reduced costs. The cost of oil fluctuates, but since water is a natural resource, hydroelectric energy offers price stability, thus making it a suitable source of energy (Owusu and Asumadu 3).

Hydroelectric Energy and the Environment

Hydroelectric energy is a renewable source of energy whose effects on the environment are reduced compared to other sources of energy. To start with, hydroelectric energy uses water, which is a clean source of energy. Secondly, and most importantly, it releases minimal greenhouse gases to the environment (Tarlock 1724). In contrast, the burning of fossil fuels to generate energy releases greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Climate change is a growing concern which every country needs to address. The United States needs to embrace alternative sources of energy to help protect the environment. Hydroelectric energy also does not produce toxic by-products as compared to other sources. Therefore, hydroelectric energy is a formidable solution to climate change as it does not pollute the environment, thereby conserving it.

Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Energy

Hydroelectric energy, like other sources of energy, faces several challenges. One of the challenges is the loss of fish. The building of dams involves changes in the course of rivers which affects the habitat for fish leading to delay in fish migration. Dams thus lead to the extinction of fish through dam spillways and death of fish as they pass through turbines. Another challenge is that of lack of reliability. Some areas experience reduced water levels in rivers, and this significantly affects the generation of hydroelectric energy. For instance, California experienced a reduction in average water run-off by 25% during the dry season, thus affecting energy produced during this period (Tarlock 1740).

Conclusion

In conclusion, despite the disadvantages of hydroelectric energy, its potential and advantages are far more superior, thus necessitating its increased use. Hydroelectric energy is a renewable source of energy which is environmentally friendly. The United States continues to rely on oil and fossil fuels as the major sources of energy which are hazardous to the environment. If the country is to address the concerns of climate change, hydroelectric energy needs to be tapped. It has huge potential which currently has not been utilized. The government needs to step up to utilize this massive potential.

Works Cited

Bracmort, Kelsi, et al. "Hydropower: Federal and nonfederal investment." Congressional Research Service, 2015, https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42579.pdf. Accessed 7 September 2019

Murkowski, Lisa, and Faison, Jay. "Stop Wasting America's Hydropower Potential." The New York Times, 14 January 2016, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/14/opinion/stop-wasting-Americas-hydropower-potential.html. Accessed 7 September 2019.

Owusu, Phebe Asantewaa, and Samuel Asumadu-Sarkodie. "A review of renewable energy sources, sustainability issues, and climate change mitigation." Cogent Engineering vol.3 no.1, 2016, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311916.2016.1167990. Accessed 7 September 2019.

Tarlock, Dan. "Hydro law and the future of hydroelectric power generation in the United States." Vanderbilt Law Review vol. 65, no.6, 2012, p.1723-1767, https://www.vanderbiltlawreview.org/wpcontent/uploads/sites/89/2012/11/Tarlock_65_Vand_LRev1723.pdf. Accessed 7 September 2019