Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential to human life. Unfortunately, many areas around the world still lack this fundamental resource. With the growing global population and climate change, the demand for clean water is increasing at an alarming rate. Therefore, there is a need for more efficient and sustainable ways to provide safe water to people. Hydroelectric power can prove useful in water treatment and desalination.
What is hydroelectric power?
Hydroelectric power is electricity generated from the motion of water. It relies on the power of running or falling water to produce electricity through a turbine. This renewable energy source utilizes the natural flow of water, making it a clean and sustainable option compared to conventional fossil fuels.
Water Treatment with Hydroelectric power
Water treatment is a process of removing contaminants, sterilizing and purifying water to make it safe for consumption. Most municipal water supply systems use various methods of water treatment before supplying it to residents. Hydroelectric power can aid the process of water treatment in multiple ways.
Coagulation and Flocculation
Coagulation and flocculation are the first steps in the treatment process. It involves adding a chemical substance to the water to cause impurities to clump together and form larger particles called floc. Hydroelectric power plants produce chemicals, such as lime, which are necessary in these stages of water treatment.
Aeration
During the aeration process, air is pumped into the water to remove unwanted gases and organic compounds that can cause unpleasant odours and taste. Hydroelectric power plants pump air bubbles in the water while generating energy, which aid in this process.
Disinfection
To eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses found in water, disinfection with chemicals like chlorine is required. Hydroelectric power plants produce chlorine, which is used in the disinfection process.
Sludge Dewatering
Sludge dewatering is an essential stage in water treatment, which involves removing the solid waste material from the water. Hydroelectric power plants can generate power while pumping sludge into belt presses, which aids in its dewatering.
Using Hydroelectric Power for Desalination
Desalination is a process of removing excess minerals and salt from seawater to produce fresh and safe drinking water. Desalination is currently the only viable option in several regions where freshwater sources are scarce. However, it requires a considerable amount of energy to perform the process. Hydroelectric power can aid in desalination in various ways.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Desalination
Reverse osmosis is a desalination process that relies on a semi-permeable membrane to remove salt and other minerals from water. RO desalination is an energy-intensive process, and hydroelectric power can provide significant amounts of energy required in the procedure. Hydroelectric power plants located near the seaside can contribute significantly to the RO desalination process.
Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) Desalination
Multi-stage flash desalination uses the energy of steam produced by heating seawater to separate salt from water. Hydroelectric power plants generate power while heating seawater, which can be used directly in the MSF process.
Conclusion
Hydroelectric power can prove useful in water treatment and desalination by generating sustainable and clean energy while providing necessary chemicals, power, and heat required in the processes. It is a renewable energy source that can contribute to the sustainable production of safe drinking water. Implementing hydroelectric power in water treatment and desalination should be a priority to meet the growing demand for clean water.