Hydroelectric Energy Madison, Meghan, Emmet

Pros of Hydroelectric Energy Hydro energy is free and no money is needed to buy the water from rivers in order to use it to produce energy When a dam is built, you can expect an abundant production of electricity, especially in areas where the river has a large water reserve Dams are meant to last for a very long time. Building a dam ensures electricity production to last for years

Hydro energy contributes to the storage of drinking water Hydroelectric power plant reservoirs collect rainwater which can be used for consumption or for irrigation Hydro energy production doesn’t release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere It is a clean form of energy Hydroelectricity prevents the emission of greenhouse gases equivalent to the burning of 4.4 million barrels of petroleum per day worldwide

One advantage with a dam is that if electricity is not needed, you could just halt the production of electricity and save the water in the reservoir It is renewable Whenever the water is used to produce electricity, it would be replenished by rainfall. This cycle is continuous .

Cons of Hydroelectric Energy Droughts During drought or dry seasons, the water levels in the reservoir may decrease Slow down electricity production Cost Expensive to build power plants Dams must be built with precision, accuracy and with the right materials Expensive to buy proper materials and workers with the right training Environmental Interventions in nature like damming of water, changed water flow and the construction of roads and power lines Damaging effects on fish species

Cons of Hydroelectric Energy Limited Reservoirs Large power plants obstruct roads Not enough reservoirs for hydroelectric power plants Will not produce enough energy for amount of people supporting

How it Works? Electricity is generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. This flowing water spins a turbine which then creates power within a generator that is then fed into the power grid.

Where Does it Come From? Dams: Pump Storage: Pump Storage utilizes off peak hours to pump water from lower reservoirs to elevated retention basins which then send water down during high usage hours. Conventional hydroelectric is created through large damns and reservoirs.