Small Decentralized Hydropower Program National ... - Cd3wd.com

Estudiss Hidrolbgicos Para
Asesoramiento de la
Hidroenergia
John Stuart Gladwell
junto con la de ingenietia en su presentaci6n de 10s
estudios que preceden a la construccidn de una facili-
dad hidroektrica. Por causa de esta orientaci6n
dual, 61 enlaza las informaciones tkcnicas de la in-
genieria con las precauciones desarrolladas media&e
la experiencia.
Introducciih
Como la mayon’a de la gente sabe, el negocio de1
abastecimiento de electricidad ha venido exper-
mentando cambios revolucionarios en ia actitud en
todo el mundo. Por una parte, existe el llamado a
incrementar el desarrollo de bloques con capacidad
de energia extremadamente grandes - una tenden-
cia que yo he llamado, quiz& no muy generosamente,
la mentalidad con “fijaci6n tinica.” En el otro ex-
tremo, tenemos aquellos que ignoratian en su
totalidad 10s vastos desarrollos de energia en favor
de lo que ellos ven coma “alternativas” de conserva-
ci6n energia solar pequefias centrsles hidroekctricas,
ek.
Cada grupo de partidarios tiende a tener su propio
conjunto de “pruebas” que demuestran que ellos
estin correctos en sus suposiciones. Yo creo que la
manera mtis rational de abordar este asunto y el
de&o mk grande para el mundo de hoy es el de
desarrollar un futuro con ener@a balanceada,
tomando en cuenta la utilizaci6n mks apropriada y
razonabie de todos sus recursos.
La hidroelectricidad es uno de esos recursos de
energia. Bien pudiera ser que este recurso no
siempre sea necesario desarrollarlo primer0 - sin
embargo, apartarlo a un lado arbitrariamente ~610
porque no resuelve completamente el problema, setia
visualizar la situaci6n energetica mundial de una
manera increl’blemente ingenua. De hecho, con 10s
costos de energia “combustible” escalando
rhpidamente, se incrementa grandemente !a opor-
tunidad econ6mica para ampliar el desarrollo de
fuentas alternas que utilizen recursos renovables.
En algunas partes de1 mundo la importancia de
una pequefia planta hidroektrica no po&e todatia
Hydrologic Studies for
ydropower Assessment
John Stuart Gladwell
tion as well as engineering to his discussion of
the s,tudies that must precede construction of a
hydropower facility. Because of his dual orienta-
tion, he brings together hard engineering informa-
tion and the cautions developed with experience.
introduction
The electricity supply business throughout the
world has, as most people are well aware, been
undergoing some revolutionary changes in
attitude. We have on the one hand the call for
increased development of extremely large
blocks of power capacity - a tendency that I
have, perhaps not too generously, entitled the
“single fix” mentality. On the other extreme we
have those who would ignore the large energy
developments entirely in favor of what they see
as the “alternatives” of conservation, solar,
small hydro, etc.
Each group of advocates tends to have its
own set of “proof” to show they are correct in
their assumptions. I believe the more rational
approach, and the great challenge for the world
today, is to develop a balanced energy future,
taking into account the most appropriate and
reasoned use of all of its resources.
Hydro is one source of energy. It may not
always be the source that needs to be
developed first - but to arbitrarily cast it aside
because it doesn’t completely solve the problem
is an incredibly naive view of this world’s energy
situation. The fact is, that with the rapidly
escalating costs of “fueled” energy, the
economic opportunity for expanded development
of the alternative sources using renewable
resources is greatly increased.
In some areas of the world, the importance of
small hydro may not yet be quantitatively or
economically advantageous to warrant its
serious consideration at this time. But in many
areas, even though the overall percentage of
22