Hydropower in Iceland – Earth Friendly or not?
It seems to me that hydropower is one of the renewable energies at the edge of this energy as green, ie, with minimal impact on the environment. Humans have been harnessing water power in one form or another for centuries. But let's face it our sheer numbers and technological Further developments are crowding out nature with harmful effects. Here in America, many hydropower projects are quite controversial, especially for people who love nature and like to enjoy nature in its undisturbed form. I can relate with certainty.
In my opinion, Iceland may be a unique case in this regard. With only 300,000 inhabitants in a country that is not about the size of Kentucky, open wilderness a pressing problem. I know first hand. Leaving the capital Reykjavik, there are few other cities of significant size and many open spaces between them. In fact, the uninhabited interior of Iceland almost completely and will probably also never will.
Iceland is a country with a great wealth of renewable energy, blessed above all hydro and geothermal energy. And Icelanders have been using water power For over a century. Many of the countries hydropower is produced in relatively small scale between 28-270 MW. Compare that with a massive plant like the Hoover Dam Power plant produces over 2000 MW. But recently, a very controversial power plant was completed, which caused much controversy and sparked the environmental debate again in Iceland, especially hydropower. The project was the Kárahnjúka hydro (690 MW), completed in 2007, built to power the new Alcoa aluminum smelter Fjaardal Bids East Iceland. This plant was built in the highlands of Iceland and flooded large areas of untouched wilderness with a long, deep canyon.
The opponents felt that the government was selling off units Islands untouched nature for little real economic benefits for the masses. On the other hand of the argument were those who had us at one of the few natural resources of Iceland, the economy in the face of dwindling fish stocks, once the main source Islands the foreign currency grow monetize. Let's face it, is any other country to do. Whether the natural resource oil or natural gas or coal or wood or agricultural Surfaces. But Iceland has no such assets.
Therein lies the dilemma. Iceland may survive as pristine toursist goal thriving on tourism and the related industry? Or should there be on its abundant hydroelectric and geothermal power potential use, sale of energy to power intensive industries like aluminum smelters and the like? The answer may lie somewhere in between. If done right, this small island nation could very well steer themselves through the choppy water of the industrial Growth in a way that only have a few other countries. And in this sense in the end is a model for other nations. Time will tell. But there is evidence that the government of Iceland tried to develop this balance with plans to hydrogen, its cars, trucks and fishing boats and fuel strike strict environmental regulations. I am not saying that Iceland is perfect and that it treats all these issues. But, because this nation is a relative newcomer in the industrialization, coupled with small population Numbers and a remote location, they may be able, from the catastrophic errors that have made the other nations and get in better shape to learn.
I have some information that you’re going to love! There is an information product available on the internet that will explain how the average homeowner can build and install their own independent power source and achieve complete energy efficiency! We’re talking about a magnetic power generator that creates zero cost electricity, and doesn’t rely on mother nature (ie. wind or solar energy). When installed and functioning, these magnetic generators create their own energy and they’ll power your home for free! Plus…you may be eligible for residential renewable energy tax credit! Read the rest of the article here: DIY Magnetic Generator
About the Author
Iceland’s long history with hydroelectric power has produced many skilled hydropower consultants who have helped steer the country’s renewable energy development for decades.
Making the Case for Energy Efficiency to Utility Companies
