Bertino+Hydro+Power

=__Hydro Power__=



__When did hydro power first start being used?__ The earliest hydro power plant was constructed in 1880 in Cragside, Northumberland, England. Then later with the development of the electric generator in later 29th century came the rebirth of water energy.Which essentially sparked further improvement of the hydraulic turbine after growing demand for electricity in the start of the 20th century.

__How does hydro power work?__ To understand how hydro power starts you must first start with water cycle which provides seasonal rain and runoff from snow. The runoff from rain and snow collects in lakes, streams and rivers and flows to dams downstream. The water then goes through a dam, into a powerhouse and turns a large wheel called a turbine. The turbine turns a shaft that rotates a series of magnets past copper coils in a generator to create electricity. The water then returns to the river. From the powerhouse, transmission lines carry electricity to communities.Mechanical energy is derived by directing, harnessing, or channeling moving water. The amount of available energy in moving water is determined by its flow or fall.Swiftly flowing water in a big river, like the Columbia River along the border.between Oregon and Washington, carries a great deal of energy in its flow. So, too,with water descending rapidly from a very high point, like Niagara Falls in New York. In either instance, the water flows through a pipe, or penstock,then pushes against and turns blades in a turbine to spin a generator to produce electricity. In a run-of-the-river system, the force of the current applies the needed pressure, while in a storage system, water is accumulated in reservoirs created by dams, then released when the demand for electricity is high.

__Determine the amount of water it can generate or purify.__ Hydro power does not create water, the process itself is run by water. The only thing created from the process is electricity.

__What are the best aspects of it?__ The best aspects of hydro power is that it is a reusable source! Unlike fossil fuels, once used to create energy the water can then be used to do other things. Another beneficial aspect of this energy source is that it doesn't create any pollution. Also hydro power plants that are multi-functional can provide as a great water source if the need ever arise.

__Why is this issue being criticized?__ However, with every great ideas there is going to be an opposing group of people who will find the flaws. Some critics against using hydro power as a major energy source argue that it damages too much of the surrounding habitat and wildlife. Yes, in some cases the creation of a dam can cause some property to be covered by water or when a larger reservoir is needed whole towns, if the location is key, developers can think of some way to ease the complications. For example some species of fish, like salmon need to be able to run up stream. But in the case were the path is blocked by a dam, the dam can now be designed or retrofitted with fish ladders and fish ways to allow the fish the ability to move up stream.

__If it already makes up a lot of the world's energy supply explain why.__ It makes up between eight and ten percent of the united states energy. In the world it created around six percent of all consumption, meanwhile it creates around one sixth of all produced. This is commonly used because it is good for the environment and is able to use the resources that are common to the area. Such as the hover dam and niagra falls.

__If it doesn't make up much of the world's energy supply explain why.__ The reason that hydro power does not make up more of the world's energy supply is simply that a majority of dams are not being used to their potentials. In 2007 the World Energy Council said "there are 45 000 large dams in the world and the majority do not have a hydro component. "

__How could it help solve energy problems or help contribute to solving energy problems.__ Using hydro power could help solve world energy problems because it has both long term environmental and economic advantages. The use of hydro power could eventually be used to power the electricity for whole towns and even cities with no major long term consequences such as pollution (which is a major contributor to global warming). It could also help solve energy problems because instead on having to pay high prices for fuels and oils the country could focus on using hydro power. Plus, once the initial cost of the dam is payed for, the annual upkeep for a hydro power plant is very minimal compared to other costs.

__What would it take to make hydro power better or in a larger scale.__ For hydro power to become a more common practice there would need to be more set budgets allotting for it. The costs my seem too overwhelming and costly but in the long run they long outweigh the initial expense. It would also take more dams and other waterfalls to be used more effectively and set up properly.

__So, who uses hydro power and why? If it isn't used very much explain that instead.__ Many people use hyrdo power without even knowing it. Some towns and cities are run purely on hydro power and are supplied using long range cables. Also a lot of small factories and farmers use hydro power because of its convenience. Factories use it because they can take the current of a river or fall near them and transport that energy directly to thier machines.

__After learning about hydro power what would you do next to change how its used and why?__ Now that we have learned about hydro power we help advocate the use of the hydro power as an major energy source. We think that hydro power would be a good energy source because it is reusable and don't have any major negative effects of the environment.

__Examples of Hydro Power.__

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