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Hydroelectric energy is produced exploiting hydropower, that is th= e power generated through the gravitational force of falling or flowing wat= er. It has several advantages which makes it the most widely used renewable= energy source: it is flexible in adapting to changing demand level, it is = relatively cheap and suitable for industrial use. Dams can also have additi= onal purposes but they are sometimes subject to critics because of ecosyste= m damage and land loss.
According to the Worldwatch Institute, the Asia-Pacific region generated=
the 32% of global hydropower in 2010, while Africa was the area contributi=
ng the least, but with the greatest growth potential. Interestingly, there =
were four countries (Albania, Bhutan, Lesotho,Paraguay) which in 2008 produ=
ced all their electricity from hydropower and 15 others which generated the=
90% of their electricity from this source. The largest producer per capita=
were Iceland, New Zealand and Norway. (1)
According to the International Energy Agency, electricity generation from =
hydropower and other renewable energy sources is projected to increase at a=
n average annual rate of 1.7% from 2004 to 2030, for an overall increase of=
60%. (2)
Earth observation satellites provide useful data to monitor water reserv=
oires, dams and hydroelectric plants. Land applications of remote sensing p=
rovide important inputs both for the design and maintainance of infrastruct=
ures. Hydrometereological and climatic data can instead be used to fo=
recast and monitor weather-related events, which represent important factor=
s related both to the power generation and to the infrastructural stability=
.
Droughts and particularly hot periods can strain the available power suppl=
y and force energy rationing in the most interested regions. (3) Remote sen=
sing also helps in monitoring floods, managing the different phases of the =
phenomenon, from risk assessment to disaster management in case of big even=
ts.
Satellite data, integrated with other measurements in GIS softwares, wil= l also be used to locate the best locations for micro-hydropower turbines i= n the UK. The objective is to make sites identification quicker and cheaper= , increasing the smaller scale greener technology availability. (4) This ty= pe of power plants have a capacity of 100 kilowatt or less and has grown of= importance worldwide, being effective means of providing electricity to co= mmunities far from industrial centers. Small hydropower is likely to provid= e higher contribution to global energy capacity especially as populous coun= tries continue to pursue rural electrification. (1)
Resources
(1) Worldwatch Institute, Use and Capacity of Global Hydropower Inc= reases
(4) http://www.waterpowermagazine.com/news/newssatellite-data-to-pin= point-micro-hydro-sites-4214317
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