1. Introduction If the world continues to go about their wasting of energy sources and contributing majorly to the CO 2 that is raising the Earth’s global temperature. A solution to reduce some of that CO 2 output is hydroelectricity. What is hydroelectricity? Hydroelectricity is a way to create energy using water. It was originally used during the Industrial Revolution to power mills, and has transformed over the years into one of the world’s most renewable energy sources. To obtain this type of energy, you must first find a powerful body of water. You must create a dam with which water is forced through and into a river. While the water flows through the dam, it forces a turbine to spin. The turbine is connected to a generator which in turn creates electric power. Materials and methods What is needed to produce hydroelectric power? A flowing body of water A dam with a turbine built in Intake valve and outflow river Generator Power lines Homes, buildings, offices, and other facilities to receive the energy Methods Conventional-one way river flow Pumped storage- reuses water that has already flowed through the dam Results Hydroelectricity is a great renewable energy source for out nation because it does not harm our atmosphere in any way. It currently powers approximately 7.1% of the nation which is not a lot, but does provide us with a great alternative to fossil fuels. World wide, approximately 20% of energy is created by hydroelectric turbines. This energy resource is considered “clean” and to be “green” which is exactly what we need to preserve the world as we know of it today. Conclusions Why should one care about hydroelectricity? Well it is evident that this way of creating energy works, and does not create CO 2. Not only do these dams not create CO 2, but they also can reuse water that has already gone through them. Some of the popular sources of energy these days can not be reused and create more and more CO 2 in the atmosphere each time they are used. Although hydroelectricity is not as popular or used as much as the other sources of energy, it still could be a great reducer of the output of CO 2. That is why hydroelectricity would be helpful in reducing the output of CO 2 and at the same time bringing power to many facilities. The only real issue with hydroelectricity is the start up investments. Once a spot is chosen to build a hydro electrical dam it is still going to cost a lot to build the dam, but the dam’s output of energy will greatly save you money because it is such a cheap energy process. How Can Hydroelectricity Power The Planet? Dan Bourque and Kevin Gallagher This chart shows exactly how low costing hydroelectric power really is and how is it extremely easy to maintain. Despite the operation costs and maintenance, it does not use any fuel what so ever, therefore making it a true renewable energy source. This is an example of exactly how much a hydroelectric dam can disturb a region and you can imagine how it disrupts the ecosystems. The down turns to hydroelectricity is the fact that it is so expensive. To create a dam which creates hydroelectric power can cost upwards of 1.25 billion dollars, yet costs 0.85 cents per kilowatt per hour. The dams which we build also disturb the natural resources and habitats in the area. Fish are often the victims because they cannot reach feeding grounds or are restricted from breeding grounds. Fish can also get caught in the turbines. The Hoover Dam, shown above, was strategically placed between two large rock masses and does not seem to disturb much of the surrounding ecosystems. The images to the left show the flow of the river as it moves through a pumped storage dam. Bibliography "How Hydroelectric Energy Works | Union of Concerned Scientists." Homepage | Unionof Concerned Scientists. N.p., n.d. Web. 30Mar.2010. "Hydroelectric Power: How It Works, USGS Water Science for Schools." USGS Georgia Water Science Center. Web. 31 Mar. 2010.. “Hydroelectric Power and Water. Basic Information about Hydroelectricity, USGS Water Science for Schools." USGS Georgia Water Science Center. Web. 30 Mar. 2010.. Mockmore, C. A., and Fred Mayfield. Originally published. "Hydroelectric." GreenTrust.Org. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2010.. Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company - Facts About Hydropower." Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company - Home. Web. 30 Mar. 2010.. Advantages Green Clean Runs off of water Cheap Disadvantages Start up cost Finding the right place Flooding Death of fishes Force relocation of people