Mini hydropower plants

When talking about large-scale alternative energy, hydropower plants are nowadays the most common ones. They give more than 80% of renewable energy in the world.
The hydroelectric energy is cleaner and more efficient than the one generated by fossil fuels. But it has some disadvantages like the environment disruption, the threat of dams breakage, the greenhouse gases emissions or the high cost of facilities...

The hydroelectric energy small system overcomes many of these disadvantages. Small hydroelectric projects are increasingly popular.
"Mini-hydroelectric" or "micro-hydroelectric" is the term to describe a hydroelectric energy system with a capacity of 100 kw or less.
Than can mean an excellent alternative energy source for residential use, affordable and efficient.
It´s needed a near water source that flows at least 2 L / min  from a high altitude.
The facilities are not very expensive (between 1.500-10.000 euros).

Besides, these micro-hydroelectric projects are used in many developing countries to carry electricity to remote places and improve their inhabitants quality of life.


The NGO "Practical Solutions- ITDG" helps to  bring energy to rural Peru thanks to "micro hydroelectric plants ":

 

Gone with the Wind ...

Wind storms that hit Spain during last Wednesday 18th April had his friendly face being responsible for the record of daily electricity production from wind energy.

According to Red Electrica of Spain website, the electricity production from wind power reached the highest records in instant, hourly and daily energy.

The maximum instant power was recorded at 16:41 hours on 16636 MW.

We must stress that not only the wind storms have responsibility in this record production of electricity  but the continued growth and expansion of wind farms,it is also responsible for these new production records 

http://www.cazatormentas.net/index.php/noticias-de-meteorologia-mainmenu-2/1-timas/2594-record-de-produccion-de-energia-eolica-debido-al-temporal-de-vientos.html

Wind energy is a free, renewable, clean and non-polluting source of energy.

Unlike conventional power plants, wind plants emit no air pollutants or greenhouse gases.

Even though the cost of wind power has decreased  in the past 10 years, the technology requires a high initial investment .

However, the operating costs are really low.

Although wind plants have relatively little impact on the environment, there is some preoccupation over the noise produced by the rotor lates. Some birds and bats have been killed when they were flying into the rotors.

However, the wind is intermitent and doesn't always blow when electricity is needed. Wind can not be stored. Further, good wind sites are often located in remote locations far from areas of electric power demand.

These problems can be solved with technological development. The wind turbines can be located on lands that are also used for farming. So these lands might be more profitable.