By: Zach Riedy. Electricity generated by harnessing the power of the gravitational force of moving...

HydropowerBy: Zach Riedy

Electricity generated by harnessing the power of the gravitational force of moving water.

It is the most widely used form of renewable energy.

Hydropower

To create a renewable source of energy that is not only reliable, but also clean and environmentally friendly.

To create an alternativeenergy source to fossil fuels.

Main Goals

Hoover Dam

Hydropower has been used for hundreds of years starting with simple water wheels and watermills.

Hydroelectric power now supplies about 750,000 megawatts, or about 19% of the worlds electricity.

Hydropower makes up 99.1% of all the renewable energy sources used.

Potential

Watermill

How It Works

PotentialEnergy

KineticEnergy

ElectricalEnergy

MechanicalEnergy

Electricity

There are still large dams being built, but fewer and fewer good sites remain in the world to install new capacity.

In the U.S. we have dammed up almost all major rivers, but there are still sites where small-scale hydro or micro-hydro power plants can be created.

Hydroelectricity supplies the U.S. with 7.5% of our power needs.

Hydroelectric Dams

Located on theGordon River in Tasmania, this dam meets 13%of the islands power needs.

Gordon Dam

Melton Lake Dam

The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China is the worlds largest dam, spanning over 7,600 ft. with a height of 600 ft..

It be fully functional sometime in 2011 after being under construction since 1994.

The dam will supply China with over 22,500 megawatts of power.

The construction of Three Gorges Dam has met with a lot of criticism due to its potential environmental issues.

Three Gorges Dam

Three Gorges Dam

Hydropower is fueled by water, so it’s a clean fuel source.

It doesn’t pollute like fossil fuel burning power plants.

Dependent on the water cycle, which is renewable.

Well developed technology. Creates large reservoirs that can serve as

recreational areas.

Advantages of Hydropower

Can block the travel and migration of wildlife.

Destroys forests, agricultural land, and recreation areas by creating a large reservoir.

Alters stream flow causing disruptions in plant and animal ecology.

Can displace homes that lie within the rivers new flood plain.

Environmental Disadvantages of Hydropower

Dams are a huge investment as they are expensive to build and have long construction periods.

In modern times they are relatively cheap to operate due to high levels of automation.

Many dams are/were built to last only 50 years so the cost to repair them is high as well.

Potential Economic Obstacles

www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you/affect/hydro.html

library.thinkquest.org/26366/text/alternative/hydro.html

http://www.actewagl.com.au/Education/energy/RenewableEnergy/Hydroelectricity/AdvantagesOfHydro.aspx

http://www.energyrefuge.com/archives/hydro-electricity.htm

Bibliography