How green can Amazon hydropower be? Net carbon emission from the largest hydropower plant in Amazonia
Dailson José Bertassoli, Henrique O. Sawakuchi, Kleiton R. de Araújo, Marcelo Garcia Pereira de Camargo, Victor A. T. Alem, Tatiana da Silva Pereira, Alex V. Krusche, David Bastviken, Jeffrey E. Richey, André Oliveira Sawakuchi
Abstract
Since per-area emissions in Amazonian reservoirs are significantly higher than global averages, reducing flooded areas and prioritizing the power density of hydropower plants seem to effectively reduce their carbon footprints. Nevertheless, total GHG emissions are substantial even from this leading-edge ROR power plant. This argues in favor of avoiding hydropower expansion in Amazonia regardless of the reservoir type.
Topics & Concepts
Amazon rainforestHydropowerGreenhouse gasEnvironmental scienceCarbon fibersGeographyEcologyBiologyMathematicsAlgorithmComposite numberWater-Energy-Food Nexus StudiesHydropower, Displacement, Environmental ImpactWater resources management and optimization