What is the Three Gorges dam?
Three Gorges is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world that overlaps the Yangtze River in Hubei province in China. On July 4, 2012, it became fully functional and has the ability to produce an energy of 84.7 billion kW annually. Although he has very sophisticated engineering and hopes to help China reduce his carbon emissions, its construction and effects were controversial.
characteristics
The dam is 7,661 feet (2,335 m) at the top, with a tank of about 410 miles (660 km) long and 3.7000 ft (1.12 km) wide. To put it in the perspective, it is about five times higher than the size of the Hoover dam in the US. The project took 21 million cubic yards (16 million cubic meters) of concrete, which made a world record. It has 32 main energy generators that can produce every 700 MW, along with two smaller generators that can produce about 50 MW. The Three Gorges dam can produce enough energy to power more than 20 million households. Its primary functions are to produce enErgia and check the floods.
positive effects
When working on full capacity, the Three Gorges dam can reduce coal consumption by 31 million tonnes per year, significantly reducing Chinese carbon emissions and saving hundreds of thousands of lives affected by diseases caused by coal -fired power plants. It also serves an important function for checking the flood. Every few decades, Yangtze has been large floods, killing thousands, moving millions and causing billions of dollars. The three Gorges dam blocks the water of the river and causes it to relax in a measured way, which prevents flooding. In addition, the boat allows much greater toning to navigate the river, which significantly increased transport along the river and improved the transport of goods to the interior of China.
negative effects
Despite its Benefits, the Three Gorges dam had negative benefits of environmentally and socially. Clearly reduced the amount of sedimenThe running downstream, which is expected to change the ecosystem and lead to less biodiversity. Its location is also problematic because it is found on a seismic error, which leads to many scientists to predict that it will cause or worsen the earthquake. Since the beginning of construction, there have been many landslides, with almost 24 months taking place in the first four months of 2010. In addition, the dam had serious effects on the life of plants and animals that surround it, which contributes to threatening many species. There are concerns that the tank becomes unusable because it is filled with pollutants from upstream.
As far as social effects are concerned, millions of people have been moved, sometimes without replacement to create space for construction and reservoirs. Estimates range from approximately 1.5 million to 4 million people to range from the beginning of construction. Those who received compensation often received much less than they needed to start a new home, and those who were not provided by an effective meansy to submit complaints or search for help.