 | Use of water as a
source of energy
|
| Hydropower is
harnessed through
the use of waterfalls (natural or
artificial) to turn turbines that run
electric generators.
|
| Hydroelectricity is
the 4th largest
source of commercial energy
production and consumption in the
world.
|
| The first major
hydropower plant
in the U.S. was completed in 1895
and located at Niagara Falls.
|
| Since 1950,
hydroelectric generating capacity has increased from 44,000
megawatts to about 650,000 megawatts.
Advantages: |
| Water is a renewable
and sustainable resource.
|
| Hydroelectric power
produces neither waste nor pollutants.
|
| Hydroelectric power
plants are relatively inexpensive to run after
construction is completed.
|
| An operating
hydroelectric power plant can be clean, safe and efficient.
Disadvantages: |
| The construction of
hydroelectric power plants is very expensive.
|
| Many fossil fuels
and materials are consumed during construction of
hydroelectric power plants.
|
| Land needs to be
flooded to create reservoirs, and this disturbs the natural
ecosystem.
|
| The water
temperature and water flow change, and this can also harm the
natural ecosystem.
|
| During process of
construction, forests and villages are destroyed.
Farmland is lost as well.
|
| Erosion rate
increases.
|
| Consequences of a
major accident could be extremely devastating. For
example, dam cracking would lead to widespread destruction.
|
| Water reservoirs
behind the dam can fill up with sand and silt, greatly
diminishing the usefulness of the power plant. A deep reservoir is needed
for storing energy during periods of rainfall and runoff, and for regulating
production.
|
| Water may become
polluted with particle matter.
|
| Contrary to common
belief, most large hydropower projects have a limited
lifespan.
|
