Hydroelectricity

1
Hydroelectricity

• By James Hulley

2
Objectives

• Why should we care?
• What is hydroelectricity?
• Why is it good?
• Why is it bad?
• Is it used today?
• What can we expect in the future?

3
The Problem

• Over 85 of U.S. energy comes from fossil fuels
  a figure which is projected to remain constant
  through 2025
• The U.S. is highly dependant on other countries
  for its energy needs
• The majority of sources for U.S. energy are
  non-renewable
• Oil production is expected to peak in 2037

4
What is Hydroelectricity?
5
Pros

• Its green!
• No noxious emissions
• No thermal waste
• Renewable energy
• Although initially costly, the lack of fuel costs
  makes it economically viable in the long run

6
Cons

• Requires lots of government funding.
• Restricted by location (there are not rivers and
  suitable water sources everywhere)
• Large projects draw criticism for disrupting the
  environment and society
• Floods areas that are not associated with the
  project

7
Current Applications
Hydroelectricity makes up nearly two-thirds of
energy produced in Canada. Canada is the world
leader in hydroelectric production behind the
U.S. and Brazil
Energy production in Canada
8
Future Implications

• Improvement of the technology itself very limited
• Locations very limited
• No foreseeable drastic increase in use
• Although it works, it is not feasible for a
  large-scale alternative fuel in the U.S.

9
Works Cited

• Center for Sustainable Systems. U.S. Energy
  System August 2005, http//css.snre.umich.edu/css
  _doc/CSS03-11.pdf
• CanREN, June 2006, http//www.canren.gc.ca/tech_ap
  pl/index.asp?CaId4PgId26
• Kretz, Ralph. Hydroelectricity Environmental
  and Social Effects New Series, Vol. 230, No.
  4731. (Dec. 13, 1985), p. 1223.