Hydropower, or hydroelectric power, is a renewable source of energy that generates power by using a dam or diversion structure to alter the natural flow of a river or other body of water. Hydropower relies on the endless, constantly recharging system of the water cycle to produce electricity, using a fuel—water—that is not reduced or eliminated in the process. There are many types of hydropower facilities, though they are all powered by the kinetic energy of flowing water as it moves downstream. Hydropower utilizes turbines and generators to convert that kinetic energy into electricity, which is then fed into the electrical grid to power homes, businesses, and industries. [2]

Water technologies encompass a variety of systems that use ocean or freshwater for electricity or thermal energy. The most familiar water technology is hydropower, in which the force of moving water propels a turbine, which runs a generator to create electricity. Hydropower and other water technologies are renewable because their fuel is naturally replenished through the water cycle; they are clean alternatives to burning fossil fuels that cause climate change. Hydropower does not require the purchase of fuels for generation, unlike natural gas, coal and other fuel-burning plants. The only costs are the construction and operation of the generation facilities. Globally, hydropower accounts for about 15 percent of electric generation. In 2014, U.S. hydropower plants had a capacity of about 101,000 megawatts (MW) and produced 6 percent of the total energy and 48 percent of renewable electricity in the United States. [4]

Understanding the water cycle is important to understanding hydropower. The water cycle has three steps: [3]
• Solar energy heats water on the surface of rivers, lakes, and oceans, which causes the water to evaporate.
• Water vapor condenses into clouds and falls as precipitation—rain and snow.
• Precipitation collects in streams and rivers, which empty into oceans and lakes, where it evaporates and begins the cycle again.

The amount of precipitation that drains into rivers and streams in a geographic area determines the amount of water available for producing hydropower. Seasonal variations in precipitation and long-term changes in precipitation patterns, such as droughts, can have significant effects on the availability of hydropower production. [3]

Hydropower costs less than most other energy sources, making it an affordable renewable energy source. Except during periods of extreme drought, we can count on water to flow day and night and all year round. This consistency is critical if we want to rely purely on clean energy sources, such as solar energy and wind power, which can come and go. New hydropower technologies keep getting better, too. They make it easier to build new facilities without too much disruption to the local environment. And they help cut construction costs, which could make hydropower even more affordable, potentially reducing energy bills across the country. [1]

Hydropower facilities can also control how much water flows through their turbines and, therefore, how much energy they produce and when. That way, hydropower can fill energy gaps to ensure communities always get the power they need—or restore it. When ice storms, wildfires, or even hackers stop the electric grid from lighting up our lives, hydropower can help. In almost half of all blackouts, it’s water that turns the lights back on. Losing power during a heat wave or at a hospital is not just inconvenient; it can be dangerous. Hydropower can save lives. [1]

Water housed in hydropower facilities can be used to water crops, put out wildfires, or provide clean drinking water to local communities. In some areas, such as the drier Western states, the warming climate is likely to cause more droughts, which could threaten water supplies. Because hydropower facilities can absorb and store extra water, they can help communities manage their supplies. In the Northeast, on the other hand, climate change is likely to cause more flooding. Hydropower can help with that, too. Its reservoirs can capture dangerous run-off, preventing those waters from surging into towns and cities where it can threaten properties and lives. [1]

References

[1] https://www.nrel.gov/research/hydropower.html

[2] https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/how-hydropower-works

[3] https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/hydropower/

[4] https://www.eesi.org/topics/water-hydropower-wave-power/description

Wind energy offers many advantages, which explains why it’s one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the world. To further expand wind energy’s capabilities and community benefits, researchers are working to address technical and socio-economic challenges in support of a decarbonized electricity future. [2]

An individual wind turbine has a relatively small physical footprint. Groups of wind turbines, sometimes called wind farms, are located on open land, on mountain ridges, or offshore in lakes or the ocean. [1].Wind turbines, like windmills, generate the wind’s energy with propeller-like blades. These blades can have a horizontal axis, like a fan, or a vertical one, like a merry-go-round. The most common design is a tall tower with three large blades on a horizontal axis. But some vertical-axis wind turbines look like eggbeaters, while others look like the windmills that populated farms a century ago.

Unlike fans, which use electricity to move air, wind turbines use moving air to generate electricity. When the wind blows, its force turns the blades, which runs a generator and creates clean electricity. However, some turbine designs can produce more clean energy than others. For example, because winds can be more powerful and less volatile in the atmosphere, placing turbines on towers 100 feet (or 30 meters) tall—about the height of the Statue of Liberty—can help them generate more electricity. Wind turbine operators can also shift their machines to face directly into the wind—a technique called yawing. [3]

There are several ways to get power from wind energy. Wind turbines can be built on land, on lakes or in the ocean, in the remote wilderness far from the power grid, within cities, or across vast plains. One wind turbine can power an individual home or farm, but several built close together form a wind energy plant or wind farm. Wind plants can be land-based or offshore, and they can be hybrid plants (meaning, they include other sources of energy, such as solar energy). Wind energy researchers are trying to learn how many wind turbines are built in which arrangements can maximize energy production in wind plants. {3}

Today, most grid-connected wind plants are at least 1 megawatt or larger. The biggest wind farm in the United States spans 100,000 acres (enough to cover half of New York City) and can power more than 250,000 homes. [3]

Wind Power has a lot of Challenges [2]:

• First, it must compete with other low-cost energy sources. When comparing the cost of energy associated with new power plants, wind and solar projects are now more economically competitive than gas, geothermal, coal, or nuclear facilities. However, wind projects may not be cost-competitive in some locations that are not windy enough. Next-generation technology, manufacturing improvements, and a better understanding of wind plant physics can help bring costs down even more.
• Ideal wind sites are often in remote locations. Installation challenges must be overcome to bring electricity from wind farms to urban areas, where it is needed to meet demand. Upgrading the nation’s transmission network to connect areas with abundant wind resources to population centers could significantly reduce the costs of expanding land-based wind energy. In addition, offshore wind energy transmission and grid interconnection capabilities are improving.
• Turbines produce noise and alter visual aesthetics. Wind farms have different impacts on the environment compared to conventional power plants, but similar concerns exist over both the noise produced by the turbine blades and the visual impacts on the landscape.
• Wind plants can impact local wildlife. Although wind projects rank lower than other energy developments in terms of wildlife impacts, research is still needed to minimize wind-wildlife interactions. Advancements in technologies, properly siting wind plants, and ongoing environmental research are working to reduce the impact of wind turbines on wildlife.

The European wind power action plan (COM/2023/669) is based on 6 pillars and includes 15 actions to be urgently undertaken by the key public and private actors involved [4]:

• acceleration of deployment through faster permitting and increased predictability
• improved auction design
• access to finance
• creating a fair and competitive international environment
• skills
• industry engagement and EU country’s commitments

On 19 December 2023, 24 EU countries together with many leading industry representatives, signed a European Wind Charter in which they agreed to a set of voluntary commitments to support the development of Europe’s wind sector. On the same occasion, 21 EU countries submitted their concrete pledges on wind energy deployment volumes for at least the period 2024-2026. The pledges show their commitment to accelerate and ramp up the deployment of wind in the EU, both onshore and offshore. [4]

The wind energy industry is working to figure out what research areas need more attention to expand the use of wind energy. This includes understanding how wind interacts with a turbine behind (downwind from) another one, evaluating the best ways to verify new technologies, and incorporating feedback from communities living near or using wind turbines. Researchers are studying different materials and designs that could make wind turbine blades lighter, longer, more durable, and better at creating energy. New technologies could also make wind turbines less expensive to manufacture, install, operate, and maintain, making wind energy more accessible to more people. As a bonus, some new materials and processes could make wind turbines more reusable or recyclable, which can cut down on waste, too. Scientists are also studying ways to limit wind turbines’ impact on wildlife. For example, sound and light could warn birds and bats to fly around wind turbines. And even though wind turbines must be installed far enough from homes that they produce noise no louder than a refrigerator’s hum, researchers have discovered ways to further reduce their noise levels. Because wind turbines are a significant source of clean energy, they lower pollution to help keep the Earth (and, therefore, its birds, bats, and humans) healthy. [3]

1. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/wind/wind-energy-and-the-environment.php
2. https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/advantages-and-challenges-wind-energy
3. https://www.nrel.gov/research/re-wind.html
4. https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/renewable-energy/eu-wind-energy_en

More specifically, the original plan was for all lignite plants to retire by the end of 2023, except for Ptolemaida 5, Public Power Corp.’s (PPC) new unit that was supposed to operate with lignite for a few years before switching to natural gas by 2028 at the latest. Through the plan, Greece would end its consumption of lignite and replace it with renewables and natural gas. The energy crisis has placed the security of supply at the forefront of energy policy, while natural gas is no longer seen as the transition fuel because of its high cost. The coal power sector was called upon in the summer to once again increase output to help keep prices down. The plants are currently producing almost 10% of the country’s electricity. [2]

Communities across northern Greece and the Peloponnese traditionally dependent on coal and lignite mining, heavy industry and fossil-fuel power generation are set to benefit from up to EUR 325 million in new investment and technical best practices backed by the European Investment Bank, as well as associated grants provided by the European Union. The new initiative is designed to support the Greek Government’s Just Transition Development Plan. [3]

A new report by the International Energy Agency praises Greece for its significant progress since 2017 when it last underwent an IEA review. Greece has set new targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cut its use of coal-fired generation sharply, reformed its electricity and natural gas markets, expanded its cross-border interconnections, and passed legislation to enable the development of offshore wind generation. It has managed to lower its share of fossil fuels in its energy supply – from 91% in 2011 to 82% in 2021 – but it remains above the IEA average of 78%. The National Climate Law, adopted in May 2022, sets a clear direction for Greece’s energy transition. It aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Greece has already achieved a very significant reduction in the share of electricity generation based on lignite, or brown coal, from 60% in 2005 to 10% in 2021. The Climate Law requires a complete phase-out of lignite-fired generation by 2028. [4]

Greece’s energy policy seeks to boost renewable power generation while increasing the share of overall energy demand covered by electricity. By 2030, Greece plans to have 2 gigawatts of offshore wind power, which is equivalent to 10% of its current electricity capacity. Greece is also a world leader in rooftop solar thermal systems, which provide hot water for buildings using abundant sunshine. [4]

The end of the lignite era in Greece was politically decided because of its unsustainable market economics. Given this rapid transition, it will be interesting to see how the energy system will evolve and how market players will adapt to rapidly changing market conditions. [1] Greece is not only enhancing its domestic energy production but also expanding its regional and international connections. The country is building new electricity interconnections to export its surplus renewable energy and diversify its sources of supply. Greece has also taken action to modernise its electricity and gas markets, including reforms to support full integration into the European common electricity market. The country has also sharply cut its dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports since its invasion of Ukraine, boosting its LNG import capacity and diversifying gas supplies. Greece is now able to meet almost all its gas demand from LNG sources, enhancing its energy security and flexibility. [4]

[1] https://energytransition.org/2020/09/coal-on-its-way-out-how-the-greek-plans-to-phase-out-lignite-are-boosted-by-the-pandemic/

[2]  https://balkangreenenergynews.com/greece-delays-closure-of-three-coal-plant-units-to-2025/

[3] https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2021-222-eib-to-support-eur-325-million-just-transition-investment-in-lignite-mining-regions-of-western-macedonia-and-megalopoli

[4]  https://www.iea.org/news/greece-must-build-on-its-successes-in-reducing-fossil-fuel-dependence-iea-report-says

Since 2012, total coal power generation has dropped by almost a third in the EU. The declining use of coal has caused mines to close down and power plants to be decommissioned in several regions across Europe. The graph below depicts the current state of play of national coal phase-out commitments in the EU. [1]

All so the European Green Deal aims at making Europe the first climate-neutral bloc in the world by 2050. To help achieve this goal, the Commission introduced in January 2022 the Just Transition Mechanism in its proposal for Regulation COM/2020/22. Alongside tailored financial and practical support, it will help workers and generate the necessary investments in areas particularly affected, like the EU coal regions. [1]

Coal regions are often remote and highly dependent on their local coal economy. As such, the severe and rapid disruption to coal production and consumption will lead to profound socioeconomic impacts for affected regions. Millions of direct and indirect jobs will be lost — creating a ripple effect across communities and regions. But with proper planning, countries can achieve a just transition. [2]

The World Bank is a global leader in support of countries in which coal mines are closing, wherever they are in the transition process. They built an approach based on lessons learned from 11 World Bank lending operations in four countries with $2.7 billion in lending, as well as case studies from China, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. They have a strong track record working with the coal regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Poland, Romania, the Russian Federation, Serbia and Ukraine. They are also a founder of the Western Balkans and Ukraine Coal Regions in Transition Platform Initiative. [2]

The approach is organized around three focus areas: 1) governance 2) people and communities and 3) re-purposing of former mining land and other assets. Each focus area involves a set of plans, policies, and actions that together can mitigate the impact of coal mine closure on affected people and communities. However active stakeholder engagement at each phase of the transition and within each focus area is crucial. [2]

Coal has long been a cornerstone of the global energy landscape, providing a reliable source of electricity and supporting economies in numerous regions. However, as the world transitions to cleaner energy sources to combat climate change, coal-dependent regions are facing significant economic and social challenges. The key to successful and logical coal phase-outs lies in developing regional transition strategies. There is also an opportunity to leverage kick-start projects that strengthen local and regional institutions and expand social protection, education, and economic innovation programs to protect the poor and train personnel for the new jobs created during the transition.[3]

To ensure that no region is left behind in this transition, the Commission also launched 2017 the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition to help mitigate the social consequences of the low-carbon transition in coal, peat and oil shale regions of the European Union. The Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition is an open forum that gathers all relevant parties, local, regional and national governments, businesses and trade unions, NGOs and academia to promote knowledge-sharing and exchanges of experiences between EU coal regions. It represents a unique, bottom-up approach to a just transition, enabling regions to identify and respond to their unique contexts and opportunities. [1]

Supporting coal regions in transition is a complex and multifaceted challenge that requires a combination of economic, environmental, social, and political efforts. By diversifying the economy, investing in infrastructure and technology, remediating environmental damage, engaging communities, and providing policy and financial support, we can help these regions navigate the transition towards a more sustainable and prosperous future.

[1] Coal regions in transition (europa.eu)

[2]Supporting Coal Regions in Transition (worldbank.org)

[3] Supporting Coal Regions in Transition | Program Profile | ESMAP