Difference between revisions of "Hydro - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)"
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Small, run-of-the-river projects are free from many of the environmental problems associated with their large-scale relatives because they use the natural flow of the river, and thus produce relatively little change in the stream channel and flow. The dams built for some run-of-the-river projects are very small and impound little water—and many projects do not require a dam at all. Thus, effects such as oxygen depletion, increased temperature, decreased flow, and rejection of upstream migration aids like fish ladders are not problems for many run-of-the-river projects. Source: [http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy01osti/29065.pdf Small Hydropower Systems (Dept. of Energy USA, 2001)] | Small, run-of-the-river projects are free from many of the environmental problems associated with their large-scale relatives because they use the natural flow of the river, and thus produce relatively little change in the stream channel and flow. The dams built for some run-of-the-river projects are very small and impound little water—and many projects do not require a dam at all. Thus, effects such as oxygen depletion, increased temperature, decreased flow, and rejection of upstream migration aids like fish ladders are not problems for many run-of-the-river projects. Source: [http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy01osti/29065.pdf Small Hydropower Systems (Dept. of Energy USA, 2001)] | ||
| − | <br> | + | <br> |
'''''Environmental impact''''' | '''''Environmental impact''''' | ||
| − | <span>Unlike traditional | + | <span>Unlike traditional power stations that use fossil fuels, micro-hydro generators have practically no effect on the environment. And because they don’t depend on dams to store and direct water, they’re also better for the environment than large-scale hydro-electric stations.</span> |
| − | power stations that use fossil fuels, micro-hydro generators have practically | ||
| − | no effect on the environment. And because they don’t depend on dams to store | ||
| − | and direct water, they’re also better for the environment than large-scale | ||
| − | hydro-electric stations.</span> | ||
| − | <span>In fact, by reducing | + | <span>In fact, by reducing the need to cut down trees for firewood and increasing farming efficiency, micro-hydro has a positive effect on the local environment.</span><br> |
| − | the need to cut down trees for firewood and increasing farming efficiency, | ||
| − | micro-hydro has a positive effect on the local environment.</span> | ||
| − | |||
| − | <br> | ||
<u>Environmental Impacts of Small Hydro Power Projects</u> | <u>Environmental Impacts of Small Hydro Power Projects</u> | ||
| − | [http://www.iitr.ac.in/departments/AH/uploads/File/International%20conference%20on%20SHP%20Kandy%20Srilanka%20All%20Details/Papers/Environmentsal%20Aspects-B/B22.pdf Case study India]<br> | + | [http://www.iitr.ac.in/departments/AH/uploads/File/International%20conference%20on%20SHP%20Kandy%20Srilanka%20All%20Details/Papers/Environmentsal%20Aspects-B/B22.pdf Case study India]<br> |
| − | <br> | + | <br> |
| − | <u>EIA Resources on the Web</u><br> | + | <u>EIA Resources on the Web</u><br> |
| − | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_assessment EIA in Wikipedia<br>] | + | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_assessment EIA in Wikipedia<br>] |
| − | [http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eia/home.htm EIA in the European Commission]<br> | + | [http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eia/home.htm EIA in the European Commission]<br> |
| − | [http://www.unece.org/env/eia/ EIA in a Transboundary Context - Espoo Convention]<br> | + | [http://www.unece.org/env/eia/ EIA in a Transboundary Context - Espoo Convention]<br> |
[http://go.worldbank.org/OSARUT0MP0 Environmental Assessment by the World Bank] | [http://go.worldbank.org/OSARUT0MP0 Environmental Assessment by the World Bank] | ||
Revision as of 12:30, 15 July 2009
An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an assessment of the possible impact—positive or negative—that a proposed project may have on the environment, considering natural, social and economic aspects. The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that decision makers consider the ensuing environmental impacts to decide whether to proceed with the project.
Small, run-of-the-river projects are free from many of the environmental problems associated with their large-scale relatives because they use the natural flow of the river, and thus produce relatively little change in the stream channel and flow. The dams built for some run-of-the-river projects are very small and impound little water—and many projects do not require a dam at all. Thus, effects such as oxygen depletion, increased temperature, decreased flow, and rejection of upstream migration aids like fish ladders are not problems for many run-of-the-river projects. Source: Small Hydropower Systems (Dept. of Energy USA, 2001)
Environmental impact
Unlike traditional power stations that use fossil fuels, micro-hydro generators have practically no effect on the environment. And because they don’t depend on dams to store and direct water, they’re also better for the environment than large-scale hydro-electric stations.
In fact, by reducing the need to cut down trees for firewood and increasing farming efficiency, micro-hydro has a positive effect on the local environment.
Environmental Impacts of Small Hydro Power Projects
EIA Resources on the Web
EIA in the European Commission
EIA in a Transboundary Context - Espoo Convention
