Hydroelectricity

1. Hydroelectricity Hailey Montville Period 6 April 19, 2011

2. Why I chose it… • I chose to use hydroelectricity because it is the most common form of alternative energy, and also has almost no negative affect on the environment • It produces no direct waste and little greenhouse gas • The world's hydropower plants release a combined total of 675,000 megawatts, the energy equivalent of 3.6 billion barrels of oil • Because Tonopah is a little community, only a small plant would be built, contributing almost no waste to the environment

3. Building materials • A dam or hydropower plant would have to be built • Alternative ways to build these could be, underground plants or Run-of-the-river hydroelectric stations • Both of these run underground and require reservoirs

4. Pro’s • The dams can store rain water • Controls flooding and the lakes can provide a place for recreational activities • Its renewable and inexpensive • If needed, they can be shut down quickly • Very few breakdowns • Doesn’t harm the environment • If this was our main source for the school, we would save money and it wouldn’t harm us

5. Con’s • Dams can be expensive to build • If it breaks it can cause a massive flash flood • The plant decay caused downstream of dams can cause greenhouse gases • Droughts can cause a dam to be useless or produce less energy than planned • If this was the main source of energy for the school, there could be many breakdowns causing us to have little electricity

6. Hydroelectricity today

8. Bibliography • http://drake.marin.k12.ca.us/stuwork/rockwater/Upload%20this%20doc--dams%20and%20hydropower%20report/pros%20and%20cons.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroelectricity