Transcript Hydroelectric Energy

Hydroelectric Energy
Brooke Edwards, Steve Reinauer,
Heather Shutt, Daniel Weigner, &
Kathleen Widmer
General Information
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Derived from the movement of water
Normally produced by use of dams
Been around for centuries
Potential realized by end of 19th Century
Developed by mid-20th Century
Can Hydropower meet Electrical
Demands in the Future?
• A clean, renewable source, emitting a very low
level of greenhouse gases
• Low operating cost (once installed)
• Available on demand because the flow of
water is controlled
Can Hydropower meet Electrical
Demands in the Future?
• Can be connected to a main electricity grid or
off-grid
– On-grid can have excess energy that can be sold
back to electric companies
– Can possibly have a negative electric bill
Can Hydropower meet Electrical
Demands in the Future?
Can Hydropower meet Electrical
Demands in the Future?
• The amount of energy that could feasibly be
captured from waves, tides, and river currents
is enough to power 67 million homes
• Equivalent to displacing 22 new dirty coalfired power plants
• Predictable energy source
• Small hydropower is one of the best
alternatives to the highly polluting and costly
diesel generation we live in
Can Hydropower meet Electrical
Demands in the Future?
• Once set up, hydropower can start working
speedily
• Electricity can be generated constantly
• It’s a reliable and consistent form of energy
• Once the dam is built, the dam is virtually free
• Tremendous growth available because 98% of
all the dams in the US don’t provide power.
Does our group agree with the
evidence?
Does our group agree with the
evidence?
Fact:
We know that hydropower, especially for electrical
generation, is localized.
This makes researchers ask two main questions:
Can production be enhanced in those
areas in which it is already developed?
• Must be advancement in technology
– Would allow more power to be collected in certain
areas
– Constant research
Can production be developed in areas
where it is now minimally developed?
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Must meet space requirements
Expensive building costs
Overcome environmental impacts
Wherever water is, great potential
Suggestions:
– Set up community project
– Apply for government grants
Novel Application
• Potential down the road
• One of the largest electricity producers in U.S.
• 20% of electricity in U.S. is generated through
water
• Clean and safe
• Self-sustaining
• 90-95% efficiency rate
Novel Application
• Dam
– Flood protection
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Long-lived
Conserves fossil fuels
Prevents pollution
Local economies
Environmental Problems
• Positives:
– Relatively clean
– Low level emission of greenhouse gases
Environmental Problems
• Negatives:
– Impacts health of fish and birds
– Dams block fish passage
– Flooding
Social and Political Problems
• Hazardous
• Targets for wartime attacks
– Banqiao Dam • Limited service life
– Vajont Dam • Reduced salmon populations
Social and Political Problems
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Methane gas
Carbon dioxide
Floods
Displacement of people
Laws and Regulations
• United States Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC)
– Licensing, compliance, safety and inspection
– Issuances of licenses
– Oversight of all ongoing project operations
Sustainability
• National Hydropower Association
– “Fuel”
– 90-95% of energy is converted
Sustainability
• Independent study
– Supply 31 million homes by 2025
– Create between 230,000 and 750,000 job
• 93% of individuals feel importance in future
• For this to happen, we must:
• Be able to afford price
• Have help financially from government
• Examine environmental problems
Conclusion
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Hydropower is important for the future
Sustainable
Economically beneficial
Great, clean source of energy
Must consider negative aspects