For years, the energy sector, and almost every other sector, has taken water for granted, viewing it as an abundant resource. But as we move into a new era of renewable energy, the vast amounts of water required to power green energy operations may not be so easy to find. …
Read More »Water is Now Seen as a Precious, Vital and Scarce Resource in the Global Energy Sector
The link between energy production and water is of crucial importance and we need to value the latter resource far more going forward, according to the CEO of a leading gas infrastructure firm. The comments from Snam CEO Stefano Venier come at a time when the interconnection between water and …
Read More »Hydropower in China Struggles amid Worst Heatwave in Decades
The southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan is baking in the worst heatwave in six decades, with hydropower generation from the Yangtze River falling and factories closing to ease the pressure on the grids. The heatwave is reducing water levels on the Yangtze River to the lowest on record for this …
Read More »World’s 2nd Largest Hydropower Station Nears Completion in China
The last few generating units of southwest China’s Baihetan Hydropower Station are being installed and tested. The station, which represents a breakthrough for China in terms of high-end equipment manufacturing, will have a total installed capacity of 16 million kilowatts. It will be equipped with 16 hydro-generating units, each with …
Read More »China’s Pumped Storage Hydropower Volume to Hit 62m kWh by 2025
China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) on Thursday issued a middle and long-term development plan for the country’s pumped storage hydropower sector covering the period from 2021 to 2035, as part of efforts to boost clean energy and reach carbon emission reduction goals. Among the major development goals, the plan aims …
Read More »Droughts Shrink Hydropower, Pose Risk to Global Push to Clean Energy
Severe droughts are drying up rivers and reservoirs vital for the production of zero-emissions hydropower in several countries around the globe, in some cases leading governments to rely more heavily on fossil fuels. The emerging problems with hydropower production in places like the United States, China and Brazil represent what …
Read More »Environmental Impact of Bottled Water Up to 3,500 Times Greater than Tap Water
The impact of bottled water on natural resources is 3,500 times higher than for tap water, scientists have found. The research is the first of its kind and examined the impact of bottled water in Barcelona, where it is becoming increasingly popular despite improvements to the quality of tap water …
Read More »Hydropower Growth on Track for Big Slowdown
The growth of hydropower plants worldwide is set to slow significantly this decade, putting at risk the ambitions of countries across the globe to reach net-zero emissions while ensuring reliable energy supplies, said the International Energy Agency (IEA) in a new report. Global hydropower capacity is expected to increase by …
Read More »China Turns on World’s First Giant Hydropower Turbines
Two of the world’s first one-gigawatt turbines started full power generation on Monday at the giant hydropower station in southwestern China. According to state broadcaster CCTV, Baihetan started generating electricity on Monday, after a three-day trial operation. When completed, it will house 16 China-developed generators, providing a total capacity of …
Read More »Friendly Bacteria Treats Wastewater with Less Energy
Bacteria that eat nitrogen and organic matter are part of processes that can be developed for treating wastewater with less energy and emissions. More than half of the energy required for wastewater treatment is used to supply oxygen to the biological reactor. The bacteria need oxygen to function. However, treatment …
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