Although the temperature and climate varies greatly depending on location and altitude (amongst other factors), the Andes mountain range is a perfect candidate for hydro-electric power. The steep slopes and relatively warm weather lower down the mountains create powerful water flow from glacier melt and rainfall higher up in the mountains; this water flow keeps on going and there is therefore little need to transport the water back up to the top of the power plant as is necessary in some hydroelectric complexes.
The power from the water flow of the mountain rivers is harnessed by locally constructed micro hydro systems. These systems collect the water by an inlet high up in the mountains, filter the stones and grit from the water and then pass them through a powerhouse where their energy is converted into electricity by a generator. This is an effective and easy method of generating electricity for Andean villages. The introduction of widespread electricity in villages allows increases in medical technology such as the ability to keep vaccines safe, the founding of businesses reliant on electricity and a more easily available internet for global communications and education.
A well-known hydroelectric complex (known as a world wonder in the popular video game Civilization IV) is the Three Gorges Dam in China. It is the largest electricity generating plant in the world (of any kind), spanning a distance of 2,333 meters, a height of 185 meters and a base width of 115 meters and cost $26 billion to build. It has a total of 32 main generators with two smaller ones, and six under construction. Since its construction, the dam has covered a third of its costs and produced over 350 TWh of electricity.
The dam itself is a controversial topic; it reduces the potential for floods but has displaced a record 1.3 million people in architectural and cultural sites and increases the risk of landslides in the area. The reservoir behind the dam was already polluted in 2006. It has flooded 13 cities, 140 towns and 1,350 villages. However it is a landmark in the history of China and has proved to be a great economical benefit and a big step towards becoming more environmentally friendly.
