Energy production in Hergom: Difference between revisions
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== Peat == | == Peat == | ||
Peat use, much like in most parts of Gotha, is a secondary energy resource that can be easily exhausted without careful management. It takes around 30 years to regenerate a 30 cm deep commercially usable peat field with diligent and sustainable practices. In Hergom, most peat fields currently in use are located in the Dhadhis (Daadhii) plains and the Bhudhan peninsula. | |||
These industrial peat fields require substantial manpower with extremely low wages to manage, harvest, and replenish. The workforce is often composed of compelled employees provided by schemes under the non-Wolgos mandated unemployment penalties laws. This labor force is crucial to maintain the peat fields, ensuring that the harvesting process does not exceed the natural regeneration capacity. | |||
Harvested peat is utilized in smaller 10-megawatt power plants designed to satisfy local needs and supplement the wider electricity network. In some areas, these power plants serve as surge backups, providing additional electricity during peak demand periods. The careful management of peat resources in Hergom highlights the delicate balance required to use this energy source sustainably while ensuring that local energy needs are met. | |||
== Coppicing and Biomass == | == Coppicing and Biomass == | ||
Revision as of 02:31, 16 June 2024
Biogas
Biogas has become the primary source of storable energy in Hergom, a reality that has led the Wolgos to dedicate large portions of their coasts to the cultivation of giant kelp. These expansive fields, spanning millions of hectares, are maintained by agricultural and processing rigs designed to ensure optimal growth conditions. The rigs also delineate the boundaries of the fields and support wave breakers that calm the surrounding waters, facilitating continuous and uninterrupted growth throughout the year.
The scale and intensity of these kelp fields are such that they drastically alter the coastal ecosystems. The dense growth of giant kelp chokes the light and nutrient flow to the waters beneath, resulting in near-barren shallow coasts. These areas are now populated primarily by giant kelp, parasitic krill, and jellyfish, with a significant decline in the diversity of underwater flora and fauna.
Harvesting this kelp is a continuous process, achieved through the use of extensive chain conveyors that transport the kelp from the fields to enormous biodigester tanks located in coastal refineries. These refineries convert the kelp into methane and other gaseous hydrocarbons, which are then exported across Hergom via an extensive network of pipelines. This biogas is distributed to various industries and fuel stations, serving as a vital energy source for vehicles and industrial processes.
However, the biogas production process generates significant waste, primarily nutrient-rich effluent from the biodigesters. This waste is often discharged back into the coastal waters, where it can lead to severe ecological consequences. The influx of nutrients from the refineries promotes the growth of algae, resulting in massive algae blooms. These blooms, while initially beneficial for some marine organisms, can lead to toxic shocks in the coastal biosphere.
Algae blooms consume large amounts of oxygen from the water during their decay process, creating hypoxic conditions that can suffocate marine life. Furthermore, certain types of algae produce toxins that are harmful to both marine organisms and humans. These toxins can accumulate in the food chain, affecting a wide range of species and potentially causing health issues for the human population that relies on seafood.
Despite these severe environmental impacts, the Wolgos continue to expand their biogas operations without regard for the ecological damage. The unchecked growth of kelp fields and the increasing discharge of waste into the coastal waters highlight the Wolgos' prioritization of industrial advancement over environmental preservation. The consequences of these actions are seen in the declining health of marine ecosystems and the increasing frequency of toxic algae blooms, which threaten both marine life and human communities reliant on the sea.
Nuclear
Peat
Peat use, much like in most parts of Gotha, is a secondary energy resource that can be easily exhausted without careful management. It takes around 30 years to regenerate a 30 cm deep commercially usable peat field with diligent and sustainable practices. In Hergom, most peat fields currently in use are located in the Dhadhis (Daadhii) plains and the Bhudhan peninsula.
These industrial peat fields require substantial manpower with extremely low wages to manage, harvest, and replenish. The workforce is often composed of compelled employees provided by schemes under the non-Wolgos mandated unemployment penalties laws. This labor force is crucial to maintain the peat fields, ensuring that the harvesting process does not exceed the natural regeneration capacity.
Harvested peat is utilized in smaller 10-megawatt power plants designed to satisfy local needs and supplement the wider electricity network. In some areas, these power plants serve as surge backups, providing additional electricity during peak demand periods. The careful management of peat resources in Hergom highlights the delicate balance required to use this energy source sustainably while ensuring that local energy needs are met.
Coppicing and Biomass
Hydroelectric
Hergom, with its extensive river networks and mountainous valleys, boasts ample rainfall, making it an ideal location for hydroelectric power generation. Consequently, the nation has constructed thousands of dams of varying sizes, collectively providing hundreds of gigawatts to power countless homes and industries. Among these, three dams stand out as some of the largest on Gotha, playing a crucial role in the nation's energy infrastructure.
The Kildhra Dam, the largest and tallest hydroelectric dam in Hergom, is a megaproject that produces a staggering 18 gigawatts of energy. This colossal energy output powers much of northern Hergom, fostering the development of Alutea into a grand agricultural hub and supporting the expanding Wolgos cities. Beyond its primary function of energy production, the Kildhra Dam also diverts 86% of the water flow from the Haratovana River. While some of this diverted water is lost to evaporation, the majority is used as irrigation surplus for the Khila River valley. This deliberate diversion aims to dry out much of the Haratovana River as it flows through Mantharavati, effectively decimating their agriculture and undermining their economic stability. This strategic move underscores the Wolgos' disregard for environmental and human impacts in favor of their expansionist ambitions.
The Pleudhara Dam and the Holdhophos Dam are the second and third largest dams in Hergom, respectively. The Pleudhara Dam, another significant project, contributes substantially to the nation's energy grid, while the Holdhophos Dam is crucial for meeting the domestic and light industrial energy needs of the Tzerakan part of Hergom. These dams, together with the Kildhra Dam, form the backbone of Hergom's hydroelectric power infrastructure, demonstrating the Wolgos' commitment to harnessing natural resources to fuel their industrial and urban growth.
However, the environmental impact of these megaprojects is profound. The extensive network of dams has altered the natural flow of rivers, leading to significant ecological disruption. The diversion of the Haratovana River, in particular, has caused severe degradation of the riverine ecosystem downstream, leading to the loss of biodiversity and the collapse of local agriculture. This environmental devastation is compounded by the socio-economic consequences for the affected human populations, who face increased hardship and displacement as a result of these large-scale infrastructural projects.
