Current turbines generate electricity without changing the course of the river. This technology holds new potential for the energy transition. However, there is also criticism surrounding small-scale hydropower in Germany. The conventional small and micro power plants turn fish through the wolf, and river dams change bank landscapes, but provide only a marginal contribution to the overall electricity generation.
The German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) considers the potential of hydropower to be largely exhausted, citing the ecological importance of streams and small rivers being more significant than their importance for electricity generation with small conventional power plants. Despite this, the demand for electricity will continue to grow in the future, as electric mobility and heat pumps become more prevalent.
Professor Stephan Theobald, a hydraulic engineer at the University of Kassel, argues that we cannot afford to do without even a single renewable kilowatt hour. Hydropower has its own advantages in the energy transition, including the lowest greenhouse gas emissions per kilowatt hour generated in a comparison of all energy sources. It is also capable of base load and could, for example, supply electricity during a dark period when neither sun nor wind are available as energy sources.
Due to climate change, heavy rainfall and periods of drought are increasing. However, the level and flow conditions can still be calculated well in advance, and the yield can, therefore, be planned. Hydropower has the potential to be part of this planning process, and its use in Germany may be underestimated.
It should be noted, however, that there is criticism surrounding small-scale hydropower. The water wheels of conventional small and micro power plants pose a threat to fish, and river dams can cause substantial environmental damage. It is essential to strike a balance between the benefits and the potential harm caused by the use of hydropower.
In conclusion, hydropower has the potential to form an essential part of the energy transition, with its low greenhouse gas emissions and capacity for base load. However, care must be taken to ensure that the environmental impact is minimized. The exploration and implementation of hydropower in Germany should be carefully considered to maximize benefits and minimize damage.
