Hydropower Renewable Energy - Fossil Fuel Replacement

Approximately ten percent of energy produced in theenergy demand periods. When needs increase, the
United States is from hydropower. In this process,water is released from the upper reservoir back to the
water spins in turbines in generators.lower reservoir for electricity generation.
Hydropower is one of the renewable energy sourcesHydroelectric plants require a lot of land in order to
being researched and implemented to replace fossilbuild a dam and reservoir. This requires a great deal of
fuels, which are in the process of depletion. It does notmoney, time and construction. There are not many
produce carbon dioxide, as coal power stations do,ideal places to put them and most of these have
making it a cleaner, as well as, cheaper alternate wayalready been taken. The good thing is once
to produce electricity. It is also renewable, with the helpconstructed; the electricity is free to produce. Due to
of rainwater for replenishment.costs, the tendency will be to put up smaller hydro
The impoundment facility is the most common type ofplants that are more economical.
hydropower facilities. A dam is built on a large river orHydroelectric plants using dams have a negative
lake to store its water in a reservoir. When water iseffect on the environment. Through the construction of
released from the reservoir through tunnels it flowsa dam, there is a blockage of the flow from upstream
through a turbine. Since the height of the water behindto downstream. This disrupts the migration pattern of
the walls is so great, the released water goes throughfish. Fish can also be killed passing through the turbines.
the turbine with a great force of energy. As the turbineAn advantage to hydropower is the ability to control
spins, it sets in motion a generator, which in turnenergy release to meet changing demands.
produces electricity. The water then travels back intoThe population is growing and so will its power needs.
the stream or river below. Networks of transmissionFossil fuels are being used up and there will come a
lines and facilities carry the electricity from thetime when they will be depleted. We need to turn to
generator to users in a form they can use. Therenewable energy sources to meet our needs. Natural
Hoover Dam is an illustration of the process justresources seem to be a natural solution. Hydroelectric
described. When it was initially built, it produced enoughplants can meet our power needs without worries of
electricity for the entire city of Las Vegas. As Lasdepletion or pollution. It is also the most reliable source
Vegas grew, they turned to other energy sourcesavailable today. Research and development is ongoing
The pumped storage hydro plant facility is able toto provide a solution to the damage a dam can do.
store power. It does so by pumping water from aThe potential for hydroelectricity is within our grasp and
lower reservoir to an upper reservoir during lowwe must find a way to make this work.