Sustainable Parameter: Water

1. Sustainable Parameter: Water By: Kim Burns

2. Water Energy • Water Energy is better known as “Hydro Energy” • Hydro Energy is energy taken from water and converted into electricity • Hydro Energy is most commonly seen in hydroelectric dams • These dams have turbines which the water causes to rotate and the energy is then captured to run a generator • Power can also be generated from tidal forces or wave power, which is created by waves Clyde Dam in New Zealand

3. Water Energy (cont’d) • Hydro Energy is a renewable energy • This means it will not be depleted and will consistently be replenished. • Hydro Energy is a clean energy source • Water does not emit any toxins into the environment • Hydro Energy is one of the cheapest and most reliable ways to convert energy into electricity

4. Water Energy (cont’d) One negative drawback of water energy is that the dams change the natural flow of the water. This can in turn harm plants and animals that live or flourish around the water. It will also damage the wildlife and area around because in order to create a hydro electric dam, the area must be flooded.

5. Types of Use: Pumps Solar water tanks Heaters Direct gain

6. Pumps A water pump is a device that forces water to flow in a given way. Some Examples: • Well water pumps • Pushes water underground to above • Pressure tanks • Regulate pressure of water • Sump Pumps • Removes water from a basement Well water pump

7. Solar Water Tanks Solar water heaters are a cost-effective way to generate hot water for a home. • How does it work? • Flat-plate collector • Insulated, weatherproofed box that contains a dark absorber plate under glass or plastic covers (normally located on roof) • Integral collector-storage system • One or more black tanks or tubes in an insulated glazed box • Cold water passes through the solar collected, which in turn preheats the water • Evacuated-tube solar collector • Parallel rows of translucent glass tubes attached to a fin • Fin’s coating absorbs solar energy, but inhibits radiative heat loss

8. Solar Water Tank (cont’d)

9. Heaters Water heaters are used to heat water above its initial temperature. • How it works: • Releasing hot water from the top of the tank • To replace the lost water, cold water enters from the bottom • Domestic Uses: • Cooking, cleaning, bathing and space heating

10. Water Features The sound of running water has a soothing and calming effect on people. Water is also known to increase alertness. Waterfalls Fountains Water walls Pools Ponds, streams

11. Residential Precedence • Frank Lloyd Wright – Fallingwater • Built over a waterfall • The ‘Water Cube’ – Beijing • Building itself symbolizes bubbles and soap • Water Tower – Zaragoza, Spain • Shaped like a water droplet

12. Climatic Concerns Climatic Concerns—climate change Increased flooding and drought Less total rainfall and snowfall Rising temperature in streams and lakes Sea level rise  saline water flows into fresh water

13. Map With the projected climate changes, by 2050 about half of the U.S. will have a moderate-extreme water demand.

14. Costs The average price of water in Ohio is about $1.50 for every 1,000 gallons. This means that a gallon of water costs less than one penny.