CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS EFFECT ON

HYDROPOWER PLANT
ARCHANA POUDEL

Abstract

Climate change is the topic of global issue today. There are many natural and anthropogenic factors which
has contributed to the climate change. The factors behind climate change may not be contemporary but the
effects are tangible at present. Change in precipitation, rise in global temperature (global warming), rapid
snow melt, drought, GLOF, there are few changes which we are experiencing at present. These effects are
directly linked with hydropower generation.

Keywords: Climate change, Hydropower, global warming

1. Introduction

The climate system is a complex, interactive system consisting of the atmosphere, land surface, snow, ice,
oceans and other bodies of water, and living things ((IPCC)). Climate change is a natural internal process
which is ongoing every second. But external factors like modulation of the solar cycle, volcanic eruption
and persistent anthropogenic changes have been contributing to rapid change in climate (Sapkota, 2016).
The globe today is engulfed by the effects of climate change. Climate change is now clear and distinct. Earth
feels hotter every passing day. Mountains are melting, sea and oceans are exceptionally rising, species are
being endangered and overall living organisms are being affected by the climate change. The average
temperature of the earth’s surface is rising at an enormous rate. Likewise, the effects of climate change are
evident in the field of Hydropower as well.

Hydropower utilizes the energy of running water and converts it into electricity. Unlike fossil fuels,
hydropower doesn’t promote high emission of greenhouse gases (GHS). It prevents the burning of 22 billion
gallons of oil or 120 million tons of coal each year ((Company, 2019)). Hydropower doesn’t produce
environment affecting by-products. But, at the moment such a clean source of energy is highly impacted by
the climate change. Several researches are being done around the globe to observe the effects closely and to
find firm solutions for the mitigation.

2. Climate change and Hydropower

Hydropower is a clean energy source to produce electricity compared to our traditional energy source like
fossil fuel. Electricity is an integral part of today’s life. To meet the electricity need and to do so without
leaving carbon footprint and promoting climate change, Hydropower plant plays a vital role.
 Climate change, has direct and indirect impacts on Hydropower resources and its generation. Several
research findings have depicted the impacts of this global issue on Hydropower. One of the promising
reports regarding the relationship between climate change and hydropower is published by
Intergovernmental Panel on climate change ((IPCC, 2012)). According to IPCC, hydropower is the largest
renewable source for electricity generation.

Special report on Renewable energy source and climate change mitigation ((IPCC, 2012)) have given a
detailed overview of effects of climate change around different parts of the globe. It is estimated and
observed that due to climate change the potentiality of resources of hydropower reduces gradually.
According to the report the impacts on Hydropower isn’t uniform, meaning, it depends upon type, size of
the hydropower plant.

2.1) Effects of climate change on Hydropower

Hydropower plant can be of different type: Run-off river, Reservoir type, Peaking Run-off river type etc.
Whatever be the type of plant they depend mainly on precipitation and temperature.

Run-of-river (ROR) hydropower schemes are fully dependent upon the flow of water in the river. That’s
why such hydropower plants are directly dependent upon the hydrological cycle in the watershed. If the
precipitation is proper, then hydropower plant can function smoothly but in case of anomalies in precipitation
the output of such hydropower plants are greatly affected. The effect of climate change on hydropower is
mostly influenced by the change of the river runoff. (Marence,2019)

In case of Nepal, four months of monsoon from June to September with about 80% of precipitation isn’t
sufficient to produce electricity of its full potentiality (83,000MW). Precipitation is the major variable in
which hydropower output depends upon (Byman Hamududu1, 2016). In such case, the solution is Storage
type (Reservoir based) hydropower projects.

The electricity generation capability of reservoir type (Storage type) hydropower plants also depends on
the precipitation, melting of snow, runoff. In the recent years the installed reservoir type hydropower plants
are not generating electricity of their full capacity due to drying of water resources. Due to climate change
sediment transport and reservoir sedimentation have caused numerous impacts on HPP like: depletion of
storage capacity over time, High risk of flooding in upstream reservoir, frequent maintenance and repair
works to the structure, decrease in efficiency of turbine due to increase in turbulence in water (IPCC, 2012).

In Nepal, in-depth study showing effects of climate change on hydropower was conducted which identified
the direct effects of rising temperature on hydropower sector. The snow melted from Himalayas flow in the
rivers of Nepal. In recent years due to significant warming trends the melting of snow is rapid. Glacial
retreating is causing risk to communities around it and signifying the alarming rate of rise in global
temperature. Due to global warming, flow in snow-fed rivers is high but after a critical point the flow will
reduce affecting the hydro-powers output (IPCC, 2012).
 Climate change has caused summers to be hotter and winter colder. Dry areas are becoming dryer and wet
areas wetter. Tropical areas are getting more precipitation than subtropical areas. Excess precipitation results
flooding which is a drawback for hydropower plants and less precipitation doesn’t fulfill the demand to
operate the plant. Enormous precipitation rate causes erosion which increases sediment inflow in turbines
and hampers the electricity generation. Further increase in temperature means more evaporation. More
evaporation means more precipitation which can be considered a balance but, high evaporation from
reservoir may result in decrease of HPP output.

3. Summary and Discussion

Hydropower, be it large or small scale is one of the promising source of electricity in 21st century.
Hydropower not only is the clean source of electricity, but also for navigation, drinking water, irrigation and
much more. The effects of climate change on hydropower resources and generations are directly proportional
to each other. Rise in surface temperature means more water will be evaporated from land and in stream
ecosystem along with our clean electricity production system (Hydropower) will get disrupted (J Shu1,
2018). Many researches have taken place and still many in-depth researches are required to analyze impacts
of anthropogenic greenhouse gas on hydropower sector. Better environment friendly technologies must be
sought out by every country in this sector. Policies should be formulated to promote clean energies like
hydropower for electricity utilization and other sectors as well. Renewable energies which help for
greenhouse gas reduction should be encouraged.

Hydropower is a clean and friendly source of electricity all around the world. Our future requires more
contribution from this field; so the proper measures should be taken to reduce the effects of climate change
on hydropower. Along with hydropower, other renewable sources should be highly promoted to meet the
energy demands of the globe today and tomorrow. Such clean energy source must be identified, and quick
advancements are needed to be done to make our earth a better and healthier place to live.

5. References

1. Byman Hamududu1, E. J., Ånund Killingtveit3. (2016). Existing Studies of Hydropower and
climate change: A review.
2. Company, W. V. I. (2019). Facts About Hydropower. Retrieved from
http://www.wvic.com/content/facts_about_hydropower.cfm
http://www.wvic.com/Content/Facts_About_Hydropower.cfm
3. IPCC. https://wg1.ipcc.ch/publications/wg1-ar4/faq/wg1_faq-1.1.html

4. IPCC. (2012). Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation.
Retrived from https://www.uncclearn.org/sites/default/files/inventory/ipcc15.pdf
 5. J Shu1, J J Qu1, R Motha1, J C Xu2, and D F Dong2. (2018). Impacts of climate change on
hydropower development and sustainability: a review. IOP Publishing, 12. doi:10.1088/1755-
1315/163/1/012126
6. Marence,M.(2019).Climate change and Hydropower.Retrived From
https://www.sites.google.com/a/marence.at/climate-change-and-hydropower/
7. Sapkota, R. (2016). CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS IN NEPAL. Retrived from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319686998_CLIMATE_CHANGE_AND_ITS_IMPACTS_
IN_NEPAL

Author Description

Archana Poudel: Final year Civil Engineering Student from Kathmandu University. Batch 2016