INTRODUCTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY(CPB 40002) Assignment 2

(Renewable Energy)
12 OCTOBER 2012

[CPB 40002 INTRODUCTION RENEWABLE ENERGY]

UNIVERSITI KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL BIOENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

ASSIGNMENT 2

RENEWABLE ENERGY

To: (Lecturer)

Code Subject:

CPB 40002

MADAM NAJUA DELAILA TUMIN

From: (Student Name) 1) MOHAMAD ASHAZIQ BIN ABU BAKAR

(INTRODUCTION RENEWABLE ENERGY) Student ID. No.: 1) 55201210121

Section: 5 BCP EX Date of Submission: 12 OCTOBER 2012

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INTRODUCTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY(CPB 40002) Assignment 2

1.0 DEFINITION RENEWABLE ENERGY

(Renewable Energy)

Renewable energy is natural energy which does not have a limited supply. Renewable energy can be used again and again, and will never run out. The potential of renewable energy sources is enormous as they can in principle meet many times the worlds energy demand. Renewable energy sources such as biomass, wind, solar, hydropower, and geothermal can provide sustainable energy services, based on the use of routinely available, indigenous resources (Antonia V. Herzog, n.d.).

As an example, renewable energy comes from the sun (considered an "unlimited" supply) or other sources that can theoretically be renewed at least as quickly as they are consumed. If used at a sustainable rate, these sources will be available for consumption for thousands of years or longer. Unfortunately, some potentially renewable energy sources, such as biomass and geothermal, are actually being depleted in some areas because the usage rate exceeds the renewal rate.

(Source: Retrieved from www.ucopenaccess.org/courses/APEnvSci/.../4e_RenewEnergy.pdf, 6.Oct 12).

Figure1.1: Typical renewable energy sources.

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INTRODUCTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY(CPB 40002) Assignment 2

2.0 CURRENT ENERGY SUPPLY

(Renewable Energy)

2.1

BIOMASS ENERGY

Figure2.1: Type of biomass sources.

Biomass is the term used for all organic material originating from plants (including algae), trees and crops and is essentially the collection and storage of the suns energy through photosynthesis. Biomass energy, or bioenergy, is the conversion of biomass into useful forms of energy such as heat, electricity and liquid fuels (Antonia V. Herzog, n.d.).

Biomass for bioenergy comes either directly from the land, as dedicated energy crops, or from residues generated in the processing of crops for food or other products such as pulp and paper from the wood industry. Another important contribution is from post consumer residue streams such as construction and demolition wood, pallets used in transportation, and the clean fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) (Antonia V. Herzog, n.d.).

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INTRODUCTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY(CPB 40002) Assignment 2

(Renewable Energy)

2.2

WIND ENERGY
Wind has considerable potential as a global clean energy source, being both

widely available, though diffuse and producing no pollution during power generation. Wind energy has been one of humanitys primary energy sources for transporting goods, milling grain, and pumping water for several millennia (Antonia V. Herzog, n.d.).

It has been used to pump water, to power ships, and to mill grains. Areas with constant and strong winds can be used by wind turbines to generate electricity. In the United States, the state of California has about 20,000 wind turbines and produces the most wind-generated electricity (Antonia V. Herzog, n.d.).

Figure2.2: Wind power turbine generation, Ireland.

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INTRODUCTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY(CPB 40002) Assignment 2

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2.3

SOLAR ENERGY

Solar energy is the ultimate energy source driving the earth. Though only one billionth of the energy that leaves the sun actually reaches the earth's surface, this is more than enough to meet the world's energy requirements. In fact, all other sources of energy, renewable and non-renewable, are actually stored forms of solar energy. Solar energy involves the conversion of sunlight into useful products such as electric power, process heat, hot water, and lighting. This can be accomplished on scales ranging from kilowatts to megawatts and can be used by electric utilities, manufacturing plants, commercial buildings, and residences. The Solar Energy Program currently includes development of photovoltaic systems, concentrating solar power troughs and dishes, solar hot water heaters, and fiber optic lights. It also includes balance-of-system (BOS) components such as DC to AC power inverters and battery charge controllers. (Source: Retrieved from www.ucopenaccess.org/courses/APEnvSci/.../4e_RenewEnergy.pdf, 6.Oct 12).

Figure2.3: Solar power house.

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INTRODUCTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY(CPB 40002) Assignment 2

(Renewable Energy)

2.4

HYDROPOWER ENERGY

Hydro power is one of our oldest energy sources and has been used for several thousand years. Hydro power involves harnessing the energy present in the movement of water to generate electricity. Water movement occurs in many different ways. The movement of water through its natural cycle creates streams and rivers. Winds and ocean currents create waves, and the moons gravitational force creates tidal flows. Hydro power can also be found in the energy created in the mixture of fresh and salt water as rivers and streams flow into the sea (Vattenfall AB, n.d.).

Glaciers and lakes are created through evaporation and precipitation, and water flows back to the sea via rivers and streams. In order to harness the energy of running water, watercourses are altered so that the flow can be controlled and the water can be directed from dams to a lower level via a turbine. As water from the dam flows through the turbine, the waters potential energy is converted to mechanical energy which is then converted to electric energy via a generator (Vattenfall AB, n.d.).

Figure2.4: Cross section of conversional hydroelectric dam. 6|Page

INTRODUCTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY(CPB 40002) Assignment 2

2.5 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

(Renewable Energy)

Figure2.5: Major parts of geothermal energy plant.

Geothermal energy, the natural heat within the earth, arises from the ancient heat remaining in the Earth's core, from friction where continental plates slide beneath each other, and from the decay of radioactive elements that occur naturally in small amounts in all rocks. For thousands of years, people have benefited from hot springs and steam vents, using them for bathing, cooking and heating. During this century, technological advances have made it possible and economic to locate and drill into hydrothermal reservoirs, pipe the steam or hot water to the surface and use the heat directly (for space heating, aquaculture, and industrial processes) or to convert the heat into electricity (Antonia V. Herzog, n.d.).

The amount of geothermal energy is enormous. Scientists estimate that just 1 percent of the heat contained in just the uppermost 10 kilometers of the earths crust is equivalent to 500 times the energy contained in all of the earth's oil and gas resources. Yet, despite the fact that this heat is present in practically inexhaustible quantities, it is unevenly distributed, seldom concentrated and often at depths too great to be exploited industrially and economically (Antonia V. Herzog, n.d.).

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INTRODUCTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY(CPB 40002) Assignment 2

2.6 WAVE ENERGY

(Renewable Energy)

Figure2.6: Sea waves formation due to storm.

Wave power refers to the energy of ocean surface waves and the capture of that energy to do useful work. Sea waves are a very promising energy carrier among renewable power sources, since they are able to manifest an enormous amount of energy resources in almost all geographical regions. Ocean waves are caused by the wind as it blows across the sea. Wave power can be implemented on the shoreline, near the shore or offshore. Most devices that are near or offshore are anchored to the sea floor (Leao Rodrigues, n.d.).

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INTRODUCTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY(CPB 40002) Assignment 2

3.0 CURRENT ENERGY PROBLEM

(Renewable Energy)

3.1

BIOMASS ENERGY

3.11

Biomass produces greenhouse emissions

The biggest argument against biomass is that it produces carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. 3.12 It takes more energy

To plant, cultivate and harvest the crops and trees than it is worth to get a net energy gain. It also takes up more water from the earth and other fossil fuels to make the fertilizers and fuels for planting and harvesting. It also, supposedly, takes up more land for the crops and trees. (Source: Retrieved from www.alternative-energy-resources.net/biomass-energy-disadvantages.html, 6.Oct.12).

3.2

WIND ENERGY

3.21

Threat to Wildlife

Due to large scale construction of wind turbines on remote location, it could be a threat to wild life near by. Few studies have been done by wind turbines to determine the effect of wind turbines on birds and animals and the evidence is clear that animals see wind turbines as a threat to their life. Also, wind turbines require them to be digged deep into the earth which could have negative effect on the underground habitats.

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3.22

Wind Can Never Be Predicted

The main disadvantage of wind energy is that wind can never be predicted. In areas where large amount of wind is needed or winds strength is too low to support wind turbine, there solar or geothermal energy could prove to be great alternatives. That is one of the reasons that most of the companies determine wind turbine layout, power curve, thrust curve, long term wind speed before deploying wind turbines. 3.23 Suited To Particular Region

Wind turbines are suited to the coastal regions which receive wind throughout the year to generate power. So countries who do not have any coastal or hilly areas may not be able to take any advantage of wind power. The location of a wind power system is crucial, and one should determine the best possible location for wind turbine in order to capture as much wind as possible. 3.24 Visual Impact

Though many people believe that wind turbines actually look nice but majority of them disagree. People consider wind turbines to have an undesirable experience. Petitions usually comes in court before any proposed wind farm development but few people think otherwise and feel they should be kept in tact for everyone to enjoy its beauty. 3.25 Noise Disturbances

Though wind energy is non pollution, the turbines may create a lot of noise. This alone is the reason that wind farms are not built near residential areas. People who live nearby often complaint of huge noise that comes from wind turbines. (Source: Retrieved from www.conserve-energy-future.com/Disadvantages_WindEnergy.php, 6.Oct 12). 10 | P a g e

INTRODUCTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY(CPB 40002) Assignment 2

3.3 SOLAR ENERGY

(Renewable Energy)

3.31

Initial Cost

The initial cost of purchasing and installing solar panels always become the first disadvantage when the subject of comes up. Although subsidy programs, tax initiatives and rebate incentives are given by government to promote the use of solar panels we are still way behind in making full and efficient use of solar energy. As new technologies emerge, the cost of solar panels is likely to decrease and then we can see an increase in the use of solar cells to generate electricity. 3.32 Location

The location of solar panels is of major importance in the generation of electricity. Areas which remains mostly cloudy and foggy will produce electricity but at a reduced rate and may require more panels to generate enough electricity for your home. Houses which are covered by trees, landscapes or other buildings may not be suitable enough to produce solar power.

3.33

Pollution

Most of the photovoltaic panels are made up of silicon and other toxic metals like mercury, lead and cadmium. Pollution in the environment can also degrade the quality and efficiency of photovoltaic cells. New innovative technologies can overcome the worst of these effects.

3.34

Inefficiency

Since not all the light from the sun is absorbed by the solar panels therefore most solar panels have a 40% efficiency rate which means 60% of the sunlight gets wasted and is not harnessed. New emerging technologies however have increased the rate of efficiency of solar panels from 40 to 80% and on the downside have increased the cost of solar panels as well. 11 | P a g e

INTRODUCTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY(CPB 40002) Assignment 2

3.35 Reliability

(Renewable Energy)

Unlike other renewable source which can also be operated during night, solar panels prove to be useless during night which means you have to depend on the local utility grid to draw power in the night. Else you can buy solar batteries to store excess power which you can later utilize in the night. (Source: Retrieved from www.conserve-energy-future.com/Disadvantages_SolarEnergy.php, 6.Oct 12).

3.4

HYDROPOWER ENERGY

3.41

Emission of methane and carbon dioxide

The reservoir of water for hydroelectric power releases a large amount of carbon dioxide and methane. The area around the dam is filled with water. The plants and trees in them start rotting and decompose by other method without the use of oxygen. So this type of decomposition dumps a great amount of methane and carbon dioxide which increase pollution.

3.42

Disturbance of habitat

The formation of large and huge dams destroys the living beings around them. Local life is disturbed as human cant live in such a flooded area and plants are destroyed. People living nearby have to relocate. The water while flowing through the dam collects nitrogen which can damage and also kills fish. They can also damage the reproduction of fishes thus eliminating the whole species of fishes. Making dams on rivers affect the amount, quality and temperature of water that flow in streams which has drastic effects on agriculture and drinking water.

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3.43

Installation costs

Although the effective cost is zero but the manufacturing and building a dam and installation of the turbines is very costly due to which many countries do not employ this alternative source of energy. If the initial cost had been less then it would have used more commonly. Its construction requires a lot of human capital and labor. Its maintenance is also very costly. (Source: Retrieved from www.conserve-energy-future.com/Disadvantages_HydroPower.php, 6.Oct 12).

3.5

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

3.51

Not Widespread Source of Energy

Since this type of energy is not widely used therefore the unavailability of equipment, staff, infrastructure, training pose hindrance to the installation of geothermal plants across the globe. Not enough skilled manpower and availability of suitable build location pose serious problem in adopting geothermal energy globally. 3.52 High Installation Costs

To get geothermal energy, requires installation of power plants, to get steam from deep within the earth and this require huge one time investment and require to hire a certified installer and skilled staff needs to be recruited and relocated to plant location. Moreover, electricity towers, stations need to set up to move the power from geothermal plant to consumer.

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3.53

Can Run Out Of Steam

Geothermal sites can run out of steam over a period of time due to drop in temperature or if too much water is injected to cool the rocks and this may result huge loss for the companies which have invested heavily in these plants. Due to this factor, companies have to do extensive initial research before setting up the plant. 3.54 Suited To Particular Region

It is only suitable for regions which have hot rocks below the earth and can produce steam over a long period of time. For this great research is required which is done by the companies before setting up the plant and this initial cost runs up the bill in setting up the geothermal power plant. Some of these regions are near hilly areas or high up in mountains. 3.55 May Release Harmful Gases

Geothermal sites may contain some poisonous gases and they can escape deep within the earth, through the holes drilled by the constructors. The geothermal plant must therefore be capable enough to contain these harmful and toxic gases. 3.56 Transportation

Geothermal Energy cannot be easily transported. Once the tapped energy is extracted, it can be only used in the surrounding areas. Other sources of energy like wood, coal or oil can be transported to residential areas but this is not a case with geothermal energy. Also, there is a fear of toxic substances getting released into the atmosphere. (Source: Retrieved from www.conserve-energy-future.com/Disadvantages_GeothermalEnergy.php,6.Oct.12).

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INTRODUCTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY(CPB 40002) Assignment 2

3.6 WAVE ENERGY

(Renewable Energy)

3.61

Unpredictability

Wave power generators require a consistent flow of powerful waves in order to create a consistent energy output, according to the United States Minerals Management Service. Waves, created by the wind skimming over the ocean's surface, are fairly consistent in parts of the world, including the west coasts of the United States and Europe, the coast of Japan, and the coast of New Zealand. Those areas still experience unreliable wave behavior, though. Because waves are erratic, the amount of energy a wave generator can produce is unpredictable and, therefore, cannot be used as a sole reliable energy source.

3.62

Ecological Impact

Wave energy generators that are fixed, meaning attached to the seafloor or the shore, can cause disturbances in the seafloor and to marine ecosystems, according to the OCS Alternative Energy Program. Even above-water floating generators can disturb the natural marine habitat in a particular area and produce unforeseen outcomes. Although the generators cause no pollution once constructed, accidental hydraulic fluid leaks can cause a major environmental problem.

3.63

Noise and Visual Pollution

Wave energy generators can cause noise pollution and be a nuisance to those living close to them, according to the UK Department for Business Innovation & Skills. The noise emanating from a generator, though, is often covered up by the noise of the waves. Wave power generators can also be unsightly to some. Floating devices are large snake-like machines floating parallel to one another throughout an area close to the seashore. Some may find them offensive or unpleasant.

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3.64 Hazard to Boats

(Renewable Energy)

Because of their large nature, wave energy generators may cause problems with commercial shipping and other boats in the ocean, according to the OSC Alternative Energy Program. Boats not able to see the generators could cause a potential collision hazard and pose problems for the safety of both those on board and to the wave energy generator. A collision could cause a hydraulic spill or leak and become an environmental hazard. (Source: Retrieved from www.ehow.com/list_5974605_disadvantages-wave-energy.html, 6.Oct.12).

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INTRODUCTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY(CPB 40002) Assignment 2

(Renewable Energy)

4.0

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE SELECTED

4.1

INTRODUCTION (HYDROELECTRIC ENERGY) Hydroelectric power is generated by using the energy of flowing water to

power generating turbines for producing electricity. Most hydroelectric power is generated by dams across large-flow rivers. A dam built across river creates a reservoir behind it. The height of the water behind the dam is greater than that below the dam, representing stored potential energy. When water flows down through the penstock of the dam, driving the turbines, some of this potential energy is converted into electricity. Hydroelectric power, like other alternative sources, is clean and relatively cheap over the long term even with initial construction costs and upkeep. But because the river's normal flow rate is reduced by the dam, sediments normally carried downstream by the water are instead deposited in the reservoir. Eventually, the sediment can clog the penstocks and render the dam useless for power generation.

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4.2

HOW IT WORK Inside the generator, the shaft spins coils of copper wire inside a ring of magnets. This creates an electric field, producing electricity. Electricity is sent to a switchyard, where a transformer increases the voltage, allowing it to travel through the electric grid.

Water in a reservoir behind a hydropower dam flows through an intake screen, which filters out large debris, but allows fish to pass through.

The force of the water spins a turbine at a low speed, allowing fish to pass through unharmed.

The water travels through a large pipe, called a penstock.

Water flows out of the penstock into the downstream river.

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4.3 TYPE OF HYDROELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY

(Renewable Energy)

4.31

Impoundment

Most hydroelectric power comes from the potential energy of dammed water driving a water turbine and generator. The power extracted from the water depends on the volume and on the difference in height between the source and the water's outflow. This height difference is called the head. The amount of potential energy in water is proportional to the head. To deliver water to a turbine while maintaining pressure arising from the head, a large pipe called a penstock may be used. Many dams were built for other purposes and hydropower was added later. In the United States, there are about 80,000 dams of which only 2,400 produce power. The other dams are for recreation, stock/farm ponds, flood control, water supply, and irrigation. An impoundment facility, typically a large hydropower system, uses a dam to store river water in a reservoir. Water released from the reservoir flows through a turbine, spinning it, which in turn activates a generator to produce electricity. The water may be released either to meet changing electricity needs or to maintain a constant reservoir level (Lee Layton, 2011).

Figure4.1: Cross section of impoundment hydroelectric energy.

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An impoundment hydro-electric power plant begins with a reservoir. The reservoir is usually a large man-made lake that is the result of a dam structure constructed across a river. The size of the reservoir can vary immensely, but for a large scale power plant, the reservoir may have 50,000 200,000 acres of surface area. Lake Mead, for example, has a surface area of approximately 150,000 acres (Lee Layton, 2011).

The dam for hydro-electric power plants can also vary greatly in size. For large plants, the height of the dam may exceed 700 feet. As previously mentioned, two important variables in the design of a hydro-electric power plant are the head and the flow rate. The head is the vertical change in elevation, expressed in either feet or meters, between the head water level and the tail water level. The flow is the volume of water, expressed as cubic feet or cubic meters per second, passing a point in a given amount of time (Lee Layton, 2011).

4.32

Diversion / Run of river hydro

Run-of-river hydro power does not have a large reservoir, if any. If there is a dam across a river, it will create power from the power that collects behind the dam. In other forms, the run-of-river plant is one large part of the river flow, while another part flows on unobstructed. Using this second method it is possible to minimize the environmental effects of the power production. Some even smaller run-of-river systems simply use a turbine placed in the middle of the flow of the river, or something similar to a classic water wheel. These systems are generally much smaller, perhaps only a few kilowatts in size (Lee Layton, 2011). Induction generators are a useful technology for run-of-river hydro when it will be connected to a power grid. Induction generators need connection to a central power source (or some electrical energy storage) because they require some energy to run. They produce more energy than they use as long as the turbine is being spun above a certain minimum speed. 20 | P a g e

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They are designed to be able to utilize turbines spinning at any speed. They have been used extensively in wind turbines because of the variable speed of the wind and thus the rotation speed of the blades. These turbines are generally simpler and longer-lived than other generator types (Lee Layton, 2011). Run-of-river systems can be intermittent depending on many factors. Variation can exist day to day or even hour to hour in flowing water sources. Significant variation also exists on the scale of seasons in most places. During the rainy season a run-of-river plant is likely to be running near full capacity. Dry season power production can be drastically lower than capacity in some cases (Lee Layton, 2011). If a river flows all year, as most rivers in the world do, some amount of the power production from a run-of-river plant can be considered baseload. Run-of-river hydro is somewhat intermittent, but not as intermittent as wind power for instance. Wind power is very hard to predict more than a few minutes or hours in advance sometimes, but run-of-river hydro can be predicted rather well (Lee Layton, 2011).

Figure4.2: A power station and Rupert diversion at PK 85, Rupert River, James Bay, Qc, Canada.

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4.33

Pumped Storage

Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Plants (PSH) produce electricity to supply high peak demands by moving water between reservoirs at different elevations. At times of low electrical demand, excess generation capacity is used to pump water into the higher reservoir. When there is higher demand, water is released back into the lower reservoir through a turbine (Lee Layton, 2011).

Pumped storage schemes currently provide the most commercially important means of large-scale grid energy storage and improve the daily capacity factor of the generation system. Taking into account evaporation losses from the exposed water surface and conversion losses, approximately 70% of the electrical energy used to pump the water into the elevated reservoir can be regained (Lee Layton, 2011).

The technique is currently the most cost-effective means of storing large amounts of electrical energy on an operating basis, but capital costs and the presence of appropriate geography are critical decision factors. Pumped storage systems require either a very large body of water or a large variation in height. The only way to store a significant amount of energy is by having a large body of water located on a hill relatively near, but as high as possible above, a second body of water. In some places this occurs naturally, in others one or both bodies of water have been man-made (Lee Layton, 2011).

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Figure4.3: An overview how pump storage hydroelectric work. 5.0 ECONOMIC ASPECT

5.1

INTRODUCTION Major hydropower plants in Malaysia are those belonging to TNB, namely the

Kenyir Sultan Mahmud Power Station with 400MW installed capacity, the Pergau Hydroelectric Power Station with 600MW installed capacity and the Temenggor Hydroelectric Power Plant with 348MW installed capacity. The current total installed capacity for Peninsular Malaysia as of August 2004 is 17,326MW with hydro making up 11.0% of the total (Zainal Abidin, 2005). The detailed breakdown of energy sources is as follows:

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Energy Sources
0% 11%

40% 21%

Hydro Conventional thermal (coal) Combined cycle Conventional thermal (oil/gas) Gas turbine 12% 9% 7% IPPs Diesel

In Peninsular Malaysia, TNB operates a mixed hydro thermal system which is in line with the Governments policy on fuel diversification. The Independent Power Producers (IPP) make up almost 40% of the total energy supply (Zainal Abidin, 2005).

5.2

STATUS OF HYDROPOWER POTENTIAL Malaysia has a total land mass of 332,000km2 and its mean elevation is about

300m. The average rainfall is slightly more than 2,600mm per year. The total gross hydro potential is 414,000GWh/year, of which about 85,000GWh/year is available in Peninsular Malaysia. Hence, whilst Peninsular Malaysia has 39% of the land area, its share of hydropower resources is only slightly more than 20%. Geographically, the peninsula is relatively narrow, and its main range of low mountains, the Titiwangsa Range, runs along the interior to form the main watershed (Zainal Abidin, 2005).

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Thus, the river basins formed are moderately small. The largest river basin is Sg. Pahang with a drainage area of 28,500 km2. In addition, topographic features and rainfall are comparatively less favorable than Sabah and Sarawak. These are the main factors which contributes towards the limited hydropower resources in the peninsula. Of the 85,000GWh/year gross potential, the utilized resources amount to 4,900GWh/year (6%) whilst another 5,000GWh/year (6%) has been identified. The Sg. Perak river basin is the most developed in terms of hydropower development utilization (2,500GWh/year), and it is reaching the limit of hydropower potential development. For Peninsular Malaysia, it has been estimated that the economic limit of hydropower utilization is unlikely to exceed 10,000GWh/year (Zainal Abidin, 2005).

5.3

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT As for future hydro development in Peninsular Malaysia, several projects have

been identified and studied at feasibility and pre-feasibility levels. These potential projects have to compete with alternative energy sources such as coal and gas in terms of economic viability. From the economic point of view, it is clear that hydropower requires substantial initial investment costs which can be a deterrent to potential developers. It has been proven in some countries of the inability of the private sector to undertake such investments. However, this should be balanced against the long life and low operating costs of hydro plants, and the fact that there is no consumption of fuel for energy generation. Globally, in comparison with other plants, and considering the quality of the energy produced, the balance shows a clear advantage for hydropower (Zainal Abidin, 2005). At the 17th Congress of the World Energy Council in 1998, it was concluded that clear priority should be given to the development and use of appropriate renewable energies with the aim of limiting emissions resulting from the use of fossil fuels. This declaration supports the recommendations of the International Hydropower Association as listed below (Zainal Abidin, 2005):

The remaining hydro potential should be developed to the maximum possible extent, provided it is implemented in a technically, economically and socially acceptable way. 25 | P a g e

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Hydropower development should go hand-in-hand (rather than in competition) with further development of other renewable sources of energy.

The cost of the kWh produced by a hydro plant is competitive. The initial investment is substantial but the life of the plant is long (about 100 years). This is part of the sustainable character of hydropower. The operating cost is low. Financial solutions will have to be found to facilitate the initial investment in hydropower in developing countries without requiring the owners to give guarantees that they cannot afford.

The state cannot totally entrust hydropower development to the private organization (as is the case for thermal plant). It should be involved in the planning and development process.

It has been demonstrated in many countries that hydroelectric potential is a form of potential wealth and sustainable development. Its implementation, with a strong backing of the state, contributes to the well-being of society.

6.0

REFERENCES

Antonia V. Herzog, Timothy E. Lipman, Daniel M. Kammen Renewable Energy Sources

Lee Layton, 2011, HydroElectric Power Generation | PDHengineer.com, Decatur Professional Development, LLC All rights reserved

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(Renewable Energy)

Duane Castaldi, Eric Chastain, Morgan Windram, Lauren Ziatyk, 2003, A Study of Hydroelectric Power, From a Global Perspective to a Local Application Center for Advanced Undergraduate Studies and Experience

Ir. Zainal Abidin bin Othman, 2005, The Future of Hydropower in Malaysia, Managing Director, SMEC (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

Leao Rodrigues, Wave power conversion systems for electrical energy production, Department of Electrical Engineering Faculty of Science and Technology Nova University of Lisbon, PORTUGAL

(Source: Retrieved from www.ucopenaccess.org/courses/APEnvSci/.../4e_RenewEnergy.pdf, 6.Oct 12).

(Source: Retrieved from www.alternative-energy-resources.net/biomass-energy-disadvantages.html, 6.Oct.12).

(Source: Retrieved from www.conserve-energy-future.com/Disadvantages_WindEnergy.php, 6.Oct 12).

(Source: Retrieved from www.conserve-energy-future.com/Disadvantages_SolarEnergy.php, 6.Oct 12).

(Source: Retrieved from www.conserve-energy-future.com/Disadvantages_HydroPower.php, 6.Oct 12). (Source: Retrieved from www.conserve-energy-future.com/Disadvantages_GeothermalEnergy.php,6.Oct.12).

(Source: Retrieved from www.ehow.com/list_5974605_disadvantages-wave-energy.html, 6.Oct.12).

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Vattenfall AB (publ), Six Sources of Energy One Energy System, SE-162 87

(Renewable Energy)

Stockholm, Sweden Vattenfalls Energy Portfolio and the European Energy System

2012, Secondary Energy Infobook, The NEED Project P.O. Box 10101, Manassas, VA

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