Publisher's Synopsis
Climate change concerns have brought a renewed focus on increased hydropower production as a potential replacement for electricity from fossil fuels. Hydropower currently accounts for about 6% of the electricity produced in the United States, and the generation of electricity from hydropower produces essentially no emissions of carbon. However, since most of the larger, more traditional hydroelectric resources have already been developed, a clean energy rationale for development of small and low-head hydropower resources may now exist. This book examines small hydro and low-head hydro technologies and the forward thinking regulations that encourage the development of these resources in cost-effective, environmentally friendly ways which recognise that such facilities, once built, can last for at least 50 years
