STELLA, KATIE, AND CLAUDIA

PERIOD 2

HYDROPOWER

What is hydropower?

Energy that comes from moving water

Renewable source of energy because it is based on the natural water cycle

How does it work?

Using a dam, reservoir, turbines, generators, and pipes, these plants convert the energy of moving water to electricity

The amount of energy generated depends of the height of the falling water and it’s volume

Dams store the water that eventually gets channeled to a powerhouse where it turns the turbines

After the generators produce electricity, it gets transferred to an electrical power substation and then consumers

How does it work?

Main types of hydropower plants:- Impoundment (uses a dam; best for high demand electricity)

-diversion (channels a river through a canal; no dam)

-tide power (has a dam at tidal basin)

-underground (tunnels water from high elevations to lower)

What is it best used for?

Electricity:-Watermills-grind food and cut logs-Flourmills

Other facts:-It is a very important source of renewable energy -Generate 9% of the total energy supply in the United States

Is it realistic?

Not very:- it’s expensive to build - It works best in tropical conditions (less developed nations cannot afford it; too many animal species could be in danger from the construction)

- Water and land resources are scarce

How likely are we to use it in the future?

Hydropower is a good choice for the future, especially considering the oil peak

Though it isn’t cheap, it will be cheaper than oil far in the future and is also more sustainable (and better for the environment)

The US has only developed 20% of its hydrological potential

Advantages of hydropower

Most hydropower plants don’t emit pollutants (save natural resources)

Renewable power source that is predictable

Specifically, dams control flooding and regulate water supply; they are also used for recreation and are used for irrigation

Disadvantages of hydropower

Hydropower plants are very expensive to build and upkeep

There needs to be more research done to make it efficient and profitable

Dams alter wildlife habits (animals dependant on river); they may affect the water (quality, temperature, levels of dissolved oxygen) and alters the water table