Hydropower is the largest renewable energy source, accounting for 70% of global renewable energy and 17% of global energy production. However, reservoirs emit around a billion tonnes of greenhouse gases, including an estimated 22 million tonnes of methane every year.
Hydropower reservoir GHG median lifecycle emissions are 23 gCO2-eq/kWh, with most hydropower reservoir projects below 100 gCO2-eq/kWh of emissions intensity, and the majority below 50 gCO2-eq/kWh (Maria Ubierna et al., 2021). These emissions are comparable to wind and solar.
What does the global hydropower community know about methane emissions? Can we capture methane from hydropower reservoirs and use these emissions to generate a new source or power?
Bluemethane went to find out.
In July and August 2021, we undertook a global study. Bluemethane surveyed 239 hydropower professionals, with hydropower experience within 84 countries, about GHG emissions from hydropower reservoirs.
Click HERE to read our research paper.
Click HERE for the long-awaited results.
Bluemethane will be presenting the full results at HYDRO2021 in Strasbourg, in April 2022. We hope to see you there.
