Source: Tennessee Valley Authority
Energy and water are interdependent resources when it comes to hydroelectricity. Due to population growth, climate change, and economic growth, increased demand, and regional constraints, access to both water and energy could cause availability concerns. Human cultures have a long history using waterpower to run wheels to process grains or lumber and produce mechanical energy; this same power has evolved to become one of the largest sources of renewable electricity generation in the United States.
Out of all renewable resources, hydropower produced the most electricity in the United States until 2019. Currently, with new policies around windmill farm production, wind power generates the most electricity. In addition, hydropower’s smaller share of generation can also be attributed to the spread of COVID-19 which caused stalled licensing and project development and increases in other electric generation from sources such as nuclear plants, coal, natural gas, or other renewable energy (solar, biomass, and geothermal).
The benefits of hydroelectricity include being a clean cost-effective source, a backup to our power grids during outages or disruptions, a flood control, and an irrigation support. Hydropower projects usually have longer pre-development construction and operational timelines than other renewable sources such as wind and solar, so renewable energy policy efforts have been focused on solar and wind technology.
