| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| tahir |
Dam dam damhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7358542.stmAfrica plans biggest dam project The existing Inga Dam is located 250km south west of Kinshasa. A plan to build the largest and most powerful hydroelectric dam in the world is being discussed in London. Financiers and African politicians will look at how to finance the $80bn (£40bn) cost of the Grand Inga project. The plant in the Democratic Republic of Congo would generate twice as much energy as China's Three Gorges dam. It is hoped it will boost Africa's electricity supply by a third, but opponents doubt it will help the poorest Africans without electricity. The World Energy Council, (WEC) which is hosting the two-day meeting in London, says the Grand Inga project will help the estimated 500 million Africans without access to electricity. "We have to raise the level of access to commercial energy all through Africa and other parts of the world, where this poverty is faced," WEC secretary general Gerald Doucet told the BBC. "We can't do it without building these projects, but of course, on a sustainable basis that takes into account the social, civil and environmental issues. "And I can say that in the past, mistakes have been made, but WEC is here to make sure those mistakes are not repeated," Mr Doucet said. New grid Power would be transmitted to other countries via a giant new distribution system to Egypt in the north, Nigeria in the west and to South Africa. In order that construction can start as planned in 2014, the World Energy Council is calling for finance for a feasibility study to be done as soon as possible. The Grand Inga project would be built on the Congo river alongside two existing hydroelectric plants and is expected to begin operating between 2020 and 2025. The plans include a 205m-high dam, 15km-long reservoir and a plant with a capacity to produce 320 terawatt hours of electricity annually. The idea for the project was first conceived in the 1980s, but political turmoil in the DR Congo meant that the plans could not proceed. |
| Northern_Lad |
Interesting. On the whole I like hydro power. I've been swayed to a mixed opinion about the 3 gorges due to the size fo the lake and problems with silt, etc.
However, this one looks like it will be deeper and shorter; the river's already damned further downstream so shouldn't effect silt too much; it's good to get power there and it's not fossil. the only thing is: is there the demand for it within reachable distance? From the sound of things, the power will be generated in the centre and shipped out to all parts of a vast continent. For true benefit, surely damning the rivers that flood Mozanbique most years would be best. That might block Victoria Falls though.... |
| dpack |
to supply power for mining / refining ?
to supply power to a new scheme ? who gets the cream and kickbacks ? drc is the heart of darkness and i am very cynical about the motives of anyone doing business there |
| Mrs Fiddlesticks |
did a whole module on sustainable power source for OU and hydro electric dams came out as a Bad Thing.
3 Gorges in particular but there are a lot of issues to get right with a dam. Not just its construction (some have silted up and don't generate what was forecast) but also displacement of peoples, livestock, natural creatures, alteration of irrigation of nearby land and its use. Potential flooding area changed -3 gorges for details. If you flood a large area the sumerged vegetation (cos no one bothers to get up every last tree stump) releases a lot of methane in to the atmosphere. Even earthquake possibilities if you build the dam on the wrong bit of earth. |
| Mrs Fiddlesticks |
you made me go look up my essay!
Here's the table I did to summarise the negative effects of dam construction- although of course I can't do a table on here can I? 
Effect Downstream erosion - Can affect irrigation with less water for crops and humans with the water table dropping Reduced Downstream flooding - Can displace seasonal flooding to somewhere else with catastrophic results. May alter the biodiversity if flooding was an important part of a life cycle of a particular organism Downstream loss of sediments- Causing aquatic life damage. Annual replenishment of nutrients vital to crop growing may diminish so agriculture may be affected Sediment accumulation- This happens behind the dam and can affect its operating capacity Impact on estuaries - Can have grave impact on the fishing industries that rely on certain qualities or water depths at river mouths Salinisation - Can lead to a decline in crop yield and may eventually lead to land being unuseable for agriculture Reservoir- induced seismicity - Earthquakes can be caused by rock stresses or the sheer volume of water in the reservoir could destabilise underneath faults Decaying biomass - If there was vegetation that became submerged as the reservoir was filled up, its rotting and subsequent breaking down releases methane; a greenhouse gas. Or other toxic gases released rendering the water acidic. Land loss - Impact on land use and impact on the use of the land all the displaced animals, villages etc move on to. |
| dpack |
the politics and cash as well as the use for lots of power in one place in a very basic land makes me feel uncomfortable about this
water and gravity is an great way to get energy for use but what is the purpose of this dam ? |