Why Solar Energy Important?
98 percent of electricity generation is obtained from hydroelectric and thermoelectric energies. Hydroelectric power plants depend on abundant water resources. Thermal power plants use fuel (coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, etc.) to generate heat.
These two methods lead to depletion of resources on Earth, increased carbon emissions and damage to nature. Especially if water-stressed areas use limited water resources to generate electricity, this will cause them to experience long-term scarcity. For these reasons, solar energy usage in electricity generation is becoming more widespread.
Relationship Between Water Scarcity and Energy Production
When determining the energy price in solar power projects, the most important issue is the availability of the solar source. The fuel of solar power systems is the Sun. Before starting projects, general applicability of area and times of exposure to the Sun should be investigated.
In 2016, the World Energy Council announced that we would soon see the impact of water scarcity on energy resources. Some indicators about these:
- In 2010, Hoover Dam's production capacity was reduced by 23 percent due to falling water levels. It became a permanent problem during these dry periods, and in 2016 the dam's capacity was reduced by 30 percent due to drought.
- The extreme drought in 2011 caused to be cut in half hydropower production of Yunnan in Southwest China.
- In 2016, Akosombo Dam, the main energy source of Ghana, was operated with minimum capacity due to drought.
- In 2016, drought affected the hydroelectric producers in Brazil. This forced the country to return to more expensive and more polluting thermoelectric power plants.
- Almost 70 percent of Kenya's electricity is produced by two sources of water (hydroelectric and fossil fuels). Drought Kenya's reserve energy margin fell to 4.4 percent and fell below 15 percent to minimize the risk of a power outage.
- In 2016, India's coal-energy sector (which is highly dependent on water for cooling) suffered a loss of at least $ 350 million due to severe drought.
