It should be built, but necessarily should be taken into account the requirements of all the regulations in the state (environmental protection issues, security, interests of business operators in the project area, property protection and others).
All the listed types of power plants have their place for the sustainability of the country’s energy system, and considering them as alternatives to each other, is incorrect. Solar and wind power plants are inherently unstable and cannot provide peak loads in the power system, they are mostly used for base mode operation. In contrast to hydroelectric power plants, it is also worth noting the factor of regulatory power plants – the ability to work in peak mode, which solar and wind power plants do not have. In addition, the big advantage of regulating (reservoir) HPPs compared to solar and wind power plants is, the storage and accumulation of energy in the form of water volume in the reservoir, which can be instantly converted into electricity if necessary. Therefore, the existence of HPPs is necessary for the sustainability of the energy system.
The electricity produced by JSC “EP Georgia Generation” power plants meets 20% of the current consumption in the country.
The existing water reservoirs in Georgia are mainly complex-purpose wateragriculture facilities, which combine the functions of electricity generation, drinking and agricultural water supply, flood protection, recreation and fish breeding.By regulating water reservoirs, it becomes possible to supply water users with much more water during the period of increased demand, than it would be possible in the case of the natural flow of the river.
The correct planning of the use of water resources is carried out through the reservoir, which means the artificial distribution of the natural flow of the river in time, in order to adapt it to the conditions of its use, as much as possible. This includes increasing the runoff of the river in the period of dry water to ensure the water users, and in the case of floods – reducing the maximum costs by accumulating a part of the runoff in the reservoir, as a result of which the conditions of carrying flood waters in the lower pool are improved.
Against the background of current climate change and stricter environmental requirements, the need for increasing use of renewable energy types requires more flexible management of hydropower resources, therefore energy reservoirs play an important role in the energy market of many countries, including Georgia, as they are a highly maneuverable source of energy.
We are talking about an increase in the standard of living, which means that, today much more household or industrial processes are electrified and there are much more new electrical devices, than in the past, which causes increase of the total demand for electricity, despite their energy efficiency.
The mirror surface of hydroelectric power plants owned by the company is so small, that they cannot influence on the climate of the region.
The company owns 15 power plants and one air turbine power plant, which in turn is the richest practical laboratory for raising the new generation. Due to the diversity of the field of activity, as well as the rich knowledge and practical experience of the older generation of specialists working here, it guarantees that the young generation coming to the company, will become a qualified employee.
There exist many different benefits that a local area can enjoy thanks to the presence of a hydropower plant. First of all, there are advantages for the local economy, both in terms of jobs across the length of the supply chain and through jobs created indirectly and ensured by the various phases of the project. In addition, as with other green energies, hydropower reduces reliance on imported energy, with the added advantage that the flow of water (and therefore electricity production) can be regulated based on actual energy needs. Hydropower plants are also a way to avoid flooding and to drain swampy areas. Storage reservoirs can also be used during periods of drought, Reservoirs can also be used from an agricultural point of view, etc.
Renewable energy is energy obtained from natural sources, the speed of recovery (renewal) of which exceeds the speed of its consumption. Water energy is also a renewable energy. Accordingly, hydroelectric power stations are also renewable energy power stations. It should be noted, that solar and wind power plants are mainly designed for the basic mode of energy consumption and cannot provide peak loads.
Air turbine power plant works on natural gas.
HPP uses the full energy of the water flow, both potential and kinetic energy and therefore does not consume water quantitatively. The principle of electricity generation by hydroelectric power stations is simple: in the HPP building, water energy is converted into mechanical energy with the help of a hydro turbine, and then into electrical energy (in a generator). Hydropower is a very flexible energy source, because water can be stored in a reservoir.