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Hydroelectric Energy

Hydroelectric Energy. Brooke Edwards, Steve Reinauer, Heather Shutt, Daniel Weigner, & Kathleen Widmer. General Information. Derived from the movement of water Normally produced by use of dams Been around for centuries Potential realized by end of 19 th Century

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Hydroelectric Energy

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  1. Hydroelectric Energy Brooke Edwards, Steve Reinauer, Heather Shutt, Daniel Weigner, & Kathleen Widmer

  2. General Information • 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Can Hydropower meet Electrical Demands in the Future?

  6. 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 coal-fired power plants • Predictable energy source • Small hydropower is one of the best alternatives to the highly polluting and costly diesel generation we live in

  7. 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.

  8. Does our group agree with the evidence?

  9. Does our group agree with the evidence?

  10. Fact: We know that hydropower, especially for electrical generation, is localized. This makes researchers ask two main questions:

  11. 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

  12. Can production be developed in areas where it is now minimally developed? • Must meet space requirements • Expensive building costs • Overcome environmental impacts • Wherever water is, great potential • Suggestions: • Set up community project • Apply for government grants

  13. 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

  14. Novel Application • Dam • Flood protection • Long-lived • Conserves fossil fuels • Prevents pollution • Local economies

  15. Environmental Problems • Positives: • Relatively clean • Low level emission of greenhouse gases

  16. Environmental Problems • Negatives: • Impacts health of fish and birds • Dams block fish passage • Flooding

  17. Social and Political Problems • Hazardous • Banqiao Dam • Vajont Dam • Targets for wartime attacks • Limited service life • Reduced salmon populations

  18. Social and Political Problems • Methane gas • Carbon dioxide • Floods • Displacement of people

  19. Laws and Regulations • United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) • Licensing, compliance, safety and inspection • Issuances of licenses • Oversight of all ongoing project operations

  20. Sustainability • National Hydropower Association • “Fuel” • 90-95% of energy is converted

  21. 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

  22. Conclusion • Hydropower is important for the future • Sustainable • Economically beneficial • Great, clean source of energy • Must consider negative aspects

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