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The Hidden Power of Hydropower: Why It Was Once America's Largest Source of Renewable Energy.
As global demand for renewable energy rises, the U.S. energy landscape is changing. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), renewable energy accounted for 8.4% of total U.S. primary energy production in 2022 and 21% of utility-scale electricity generation. Although wind power has gradually become the largest source of renewable electricity in recent years, the past achievements of hydropower cannot be ignored. Hydropower is not only a mature technology, it also once played a leading role in renewable energy production in the United States and became an important pillar of electricity supply.
Hydroelectricity has an irreplaceable place in America's renewable energy story. In the past, its contribution and development have made it a dual guarantee of environmental protection and energy security.
Currently, the United States has achieved a good balance in the diversity of renewable energy sources. According to 2022 data, hydropower remains the second-largest source of renewable electricity in the United States, contributing approximately 6.2% of the nation's electricity supply. Due to climate change and water management challenges, hydropower production is also driven by rainfall and snowmelt, which means its stability is affected by environmental changes.
Meanwhile, the rapid rise of wind power in the United States is definitely worth noting. Since 2019, wind power has surpassed hydropower to become the country's largest source of renewable electricity and generated 434 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity in 2022, accounting for 10% of the country's electricity. States like Texas, Iowa, and Oklahoma have become centers for wind power generation, demonstrating the great potential and growth prospects of this technology.
Hydropower may have had a glorious past, but the rapid rise of wind and solar power is reshaping the U.S. renewable energy landscape.
In contrast, solar energy is also growing steadily. In 2022, the United States' photovoltaic power generation capacity reached 111.6 GW, and its annual electricity production accounted for approximately 3.4% of the country's total. Supportive government policies and technological advances have made solar energy an increasingly popular choice. According to reports, many states are innovating in photovoltaic and thermal energy systems to meet growing energy demands. California has performed particularly well in this regard, taking the lead in achieving renewable energy targets in many regions.
From the perspective of technological development, future renewable energy will require more systematic policy support to ensure its sustainable growth. According to reports, the United States needs to achieve long-term coordination from federal to local levels to fully tap the potential of renewable energy and further promote the expansion of its market.
“If we want to tap the potential of renewable energy, we need to develop comprehensive policies that foster market development.”
In addition, a compelling advantage of many renewable energy technologies is their minimal demand for water. For example, wind and solar power systems require almost no water to operate, whereas traditional coal-fired power plants require large amounts of water for cooling and steam generation. This characteristic makes renewable energy an ideal choice in an increasing number of regions, especially those facing water shortages.
To this day, hydropower remains an important part of the U.S. renewable energy system, and its influence cannot be underestimated. In the future, as the country continues to advance its renewable energy policies, it may be found that more effective cooperation models emerge between hydropower and other forms of energy such as wind power and solar power. Such synergy will not only promote the realization of environmental protection goals, but also drive economic growth and create a large number of employment opportunities.
However, as global demand for renewable energy increases, what will the future of hydropower and its place in the national energy mix look like?
