Water as a Renewable Resource
About 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. Energy obtained from flowing water can be used to generate electricity. The two most common hydropower technologies can be divided into two groups: hydropower and tidal power.
Hydropower is electrical energy derived from falling (potential energy) or running water (kinetic energy). The movement of the water turns the blades of a turbine, which is connected to a generator. This converts mechanical energy into electricity. There are two primary hydropower technologies – dams and run-of-river hydro
- A famous example of a dam (as well as a natural world wonder) is Niagara Falls, the biggest electricity producer in New York State, generating enough electricity to light 24 million 100–watt bulbs at once
- Hydropower is the most commonly used renewable form of energy, accounting for approximately 16% of global electricity production.
Water energy is considered renewable because it uses the water cycle and Earth’s gravity to generate electricity. It also does not emit greenhouse gases or pollute the air. However, depending on the water-energy technology, the negative impact of land use on the environment can be an issue.
Water is also actively used in the energy production process. Most of the water used in the energy sector is used to cool thermal power plants. This is because water is the most efficient medium for controlling waste heat. Water is also used to generate steam for the extraction and processing of fossil fuels and to irrigate biofuel crops. About 15% of the world’s water withdrawal is used for energy production, followed by agriculture. Given the scarcity and important role of water in energy production, the use and conservation of water is a challenge facing many stakeholders in the energy industry.
Explain how Water becomes a Renewable Resource
Water present in the environment keeps circulating in various states, including liquid, vapor, solid as well as gas. As a result of this, water which evaporates tends to return back to the surface of the earth in the form of rain. Because of this process, water is known to be a renewable resource.