Drought Causes Renewable Energy Generation to Drop Again – CleanTechnica

Climate Change and Drought Impact Hydropower Generation in the US

Climate change continues to worsen each year, leading to increased climate disruption. We are in a race against time to combat these effects, but unfortunately, time seems to be winning. The good news is that renewable energy is dominating new power capacity installations and electricity generation. However, even renewable energy is not immune to the impacts of climate change.

One specific renewable energy source that is being affected is hydropower. As drought conditions worsen due to climate disruption, hydropower output decreases. This year, the United States is experiencing a significant decrease in hydropower generation. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), electricity generation from U.S. hydropower plants in 2024 is forecasted to be 13% less than the 10-year average, marking the lowest amount of electricity generated from hydropower since 2001. The Pacific Northwest, which houses most of the U.S. hydropower capacity, is particularly affected by extreme and exceptional drought conditions.

Impact of Drought on Hydropower Generation

As of the end of September, 72.6% of the continental United States was experiencing dryer-than-normal to exceptional drought conditions. By the end of October, this value increased to 87.2%. The effects of drought on hydropower generation are most evident in the Pacific Northwest. A recent study conducted by the University of Alabama found that hydropower generation in Washington state is one of the most susceptible to droughts in the country, ranking just below California based on data from 2003 to 2020.

Specifics of Hydropower Generation Decline

The EIA provides detailed information on the regions, rivers, and hydropower plants that are experiencing declines in generation due to drought. In the Northwest electricity region, which includes the Columbia River Basin and parts of other Rocky Mountain states, hydropower generation is expected to decrease by 23% in 2024 compared to the 10-year average. This represents a 1% decrease from 2023.

Charts and Data

For those interested in more specific data, the EIA offers charts and data on the decline in hydropower generation. Two charts provided by the EIA illustrate the monthly hydropower generation in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, as well as overall hydropower generation in the U.S.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The decline in hydropower generation due to climate change and drought has significant implications for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 7, which focuses on affordable and clean energy, is directly impacted by the decrease in renewable energy generation. Additionally, SDG 13, which addresses climate action, highlights the urgent need to combat climate change and its impacts. The current situation emphasizes the importance of accelerating efforts to achieve these goals.

Conclusion

The decline in hydropower generation in the U.S. due to climate change and drought poses a challenge to the renewable energy sector. While solar and wind energy continue to grow, hydropower remains an important and reliable source of energy. However, the constant decrease in hydropower generation caused by drought limits its role in the power system. Addressing climate change and finding sustainable solutions to mitigate the impacts of drought are crucial steps in ensuring a resilient and sustainable energy future.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the impact of climate change and drought on hydropower generation, which is connected to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) as it highlights the challenges faced in renewable energy generation. It also relates to SDG 13 (Climate Action) as it emphasizes the need to address climate change and its effects. Additionally, the article touches on SDG 15 (Life on Land) as it discusses the impact of drought on the environment and the availability of water resources.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
• SDG 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems

The article highlights the need to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, as hydropower generation is affected by climate change and drought. This aligns with SDG 7.2. It also emphasizes the importance of integrating climate change measures into national policies and strategies, which corresponds to SDG 13.2. Furthermore, the article discusses the impact of drought on freshwater ecosystems, indicating the relevance of SDG 15.1.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Renewable energy capacity and generation
• Integration of climate change measures in national policies and strategies
• Conservation and restoration of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems

The article mentions the decrease in hydropower generation due to drought, which can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (SDG 7.2). The integration of climate change measures in national policies and strategies can be measured through indicators such as the inclusion of climate adaptation and mitigation strategies in energy plans and policies. The conservation and restoration of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems can be measured through indicators such as the extent of protected areas and the improvement of water resource management practices.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cleantechnica.com