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Hydraulic power in the Alps

Mar 15, 2008
Does hydropower deliver green electricity? Hydropower is a renewable source of energy. The use of hydropower is emission-free and has no negative impact on our environment. What's more, large quantities of electricity can be produced relatively cost-effectively. So what more could you ask for? Well, the environmentally-conscious want more. The use of hydropower entails huge hydrological changes and major impacts on waterway systems. Entire eco-systems can be irreversibly damaged as a result. In the Alps in particular, the construction of hydropower stations has in the past destroyed natural and near-natural landscapes. So is electricity from hydropower green or not? Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
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Image caption:
Die Alpen als Grossproduzent von Wasserkraft © www.oekologische-forschung.de

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