Hydropower Energy in the US - Research Paper Example

Hydropower Hydropower energy presents the America the best avenue towards green energy revolution. The advantagesassociated with the use sf hydropower are immense and they make it and ideal source of green energy. (Inversin, 2014)Fossil fuels, though largely used to produce energy in the country, presents a substantial hazard to the environment as well as the dwellers of such environments. This paper focuses on the advantages and the disadvantages of each method of generating electricity. Through the use of ststistical data. The propososition for adoption of hydropower energy generation is well anchored. Fossil fuels use has been associated with among other things, increased global warming and environmental degradation courtesy of the means excessive emission of gases. Global warming has effects on the whole world and not just America. Though diagnosed with these adverse environmentally fatal complications, use of fossil fuels is still used. Hydropower energy have been underutilized, both in th united states and in the rest of the world. Despite the source being so available and environmentally friendly, nations have continuously neglected the rich source of green energy. It is solely on the basis of this truth that the conclusion of this work strongly supportd the use of hydroelectric energy instead of the use of fossil fuels. Hydropower in USA America have for a long time been deriving much of its energy from fossil fuel imports. This has not only affected the environmental standard of the American land, but also led to billions of dollars being spent every year for sufficient supply of electricity to the American people. While this has been happening, hydroelectric power has been underutilized; America has many water sources which can be used to generate sufficient electricity without necessarily using fossil fuels. The adoption of hydroelectric energy has many advantages compared with the use of imported fossil fuels. Its impacts can be felt within a few years of its adoption. The use of fossil fuels to generate energy comes with so many disadvantages. First, the cost used to import the fossil fuels is very high; this means that the country spends so much money to acquire the raw fossil materials. The cost of acquisition and maintenance of generators is also considerably higher. The resultant effect is that the cost of electricity is increased so that consumers who are the common public have to pay more to acquire the power. Secondly, accessing the fossil fuel products is affected by varying global prices, which means that the energy generation may be affected by such developments. In such cases, areas served by such energy generation companies will require a backup to stay lit. Then there are the issues of carbon emissions into the environment. The use of fossil fuels to generate electricity has led to emissions of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide gases in high quantities over the past years. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, there are increased emissions of harmful CO2 gaseous emissions over time; in fact Use of fossil fuels is classified as the largest single source of CO2 emissions in the atmosphere in the whole of US. It accounts for Close to 38% of the total US emissions of CO2 and up to 31% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the US in 2012. (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2014). Due to such emissions, there have been increased problems in the patterns in the country since this affects the natural way in which the nature controls the amount of CO2 in the environment due to the greenhouse effect. This has also impacted negatively on the countries rank in the world as a supporter of green energy. Lastly, fossil fuels are nonrenewable sources. They are a one time gift from nature to human beings. And once gone, it will be for eternity. This means that they will be depleted and therefore there is a need to resort to a more dependable source of energy that is also environmentally friendly. (Alternate Energy Orgainsation, 2014) Evidently, there are lots of damages done to the environment by the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity. To curb this, the best alternative would be to use hydroelectric energy instead. Hydro energy has been used since time immemorial. Civilizations such as in Rome used it to grind flour. Upon the discovery of electricity and realization that water could be used to run turbines and generate energy, it was hailed and many companies started using this resource. (Wikidot, 2010). The use of hydroelectric energy is a bet that nobody can be against. It is the best source of electricity, which requires low capital input and produces a high energy voltage. Use of hydroelectric power also comes with many advantages which make it the best. Hydropower is produced through environmentally friendly methods. The process involves the dynamo technology where water is used to turn turbines. These turbines are connected to a gear inside a magnetic field of huge magnets. The simple laws of farady apply here. When the turbines rotates and in turn rotates the gears, there is generation of alternating current at the end. This energy is then transmitted through cables from the electricity generation plants to other areas in the country. The same energy can be stored for use where it is first conversted into direct current. First and foremost, hydropower is a renewable source of energy. This means that it can be reused for the same purpose of generating electricity unlike the fossil fuels. Hydroelectric power generation also conserves the environment. Since the method does not emit any kind of carbon gases into the atmosphere, this is easily achievable. (U.S Department of Energy, 2012) Secondly, it is an easier method of generating electricity. When a dam’s construction process is over, there is continuing production of electricity at constant rates. Thirdly, it is possible to control the amount of electricity that is being produced. Once there is low demand for electricity, the only thing that needs to be done is to close the sluice gates, hence stopping the generation of electricity only to be reopened during the high demand of electricity. Fourthly, dams constructed for purposes of generating electricity can be used for other reasons such as irrigating the near lands which also fosters food security. Energy from the dams is simply stored energy which can be harnessed at any one time when the need arises. This is contrary to fossil fuels whose energy cannot be stored to await future use. Also, unlike using fossil fuels, which cannot last for a long time without being repaired or replaced, dams can go for years without being replaced and repaired because they are built to last. Though the cost of making such dams is high, it is considerably lower at long last since no recurrent enormous repair costs are incurred. Though there are various effects that come as a result of putting up hydroelectric power stations, they can be dealt with to reduce the effects. Hydroelectric power plants may sometimes lead to grievous geological damages. For example, where earthquakes and depressions on the earths surface may be experienced. Like in Hoover dam construction. These problems can be overcome by thorough research and geological analysis of the sites. Since people may be displaced, they can be relocated to areas similar to the original lands or be compensated for the displacement. Thirdly, though dams may sometimes block the progress of rivers in a neighboring country, hence causing serious diplomatic confrontations, there can always be negotiations and agreements between neighbours to avoid possible diagreements. Fourthly, hydroelectric power constructions may be capital intensive, there are always many other ways of financing such huge development projects. The country may result to credit financing since the revenues generated from the plant after it becomes functional will be enough to repay such loans and their accrued interests. Finally, though the dams may change the natural environment through flooding, the only thing that changes is the natural vegetation which sometimes may be advantageous by attracting new species into an ecosystem. Further on this, the construction of dams may affect the wildlife negatively. Sometimes dams leads to migration of ildlife from one area to another. This can be taken care of by building dams in areas where wildlife is not so much a commonplace. Another issue is competing commercial interests where the government may have plans to construct dams in areas which have brilliant futures of being commercial centres. Here, proper quantitative economic planning should be effectively done to make the best decision. Last but not least, the use of hydroelectric energy is sometimes faced with insufficient water levels during some seasons which may halt power generation. However, through the use of pumped storage technology, this can successfully be changed. (National Hydro power Association, 2015) Here, water is pumped to the dam above the power plant from a reservoir below during the low season such as in the middle of the night and the then allowed to flow downwards during the day thereby generating the much needed power. (The UAGS Water Science School, 2014). All above are the disadvantages associated with hydroelectric power generation. However, as explained, there are solutions to all the problems hence, these problems should not hinder the use of hydroelectric power from being adopted in our country. In America, there lie so many viable locations where hydroelectric power can be harnessed. According to the country’s energy department, the country can be able to progress towards green energy by the year 2025. This could be achieved by utilizing the country’s more than 80,000 non powered dams by equipping them with power generating capabilities. Such a development would generate close to 12 GW, Gigawatts of renewable energy at a cost that is way lower than constructing new hydroelectric power plants leading to cost effectiveness and cheaper prices. If this were to be done, the country would comfortably be able to generate over 85 % of its power from green sources, thus reducing the pollution caused by use of fossil fuels. The country, According to the Energy Department, avoids emitting 200 metric tons of carbon particles in the atmosphere; however, today America is the highest single country that leads in environmental unfriendly carbon compounds. This can be turned around if hydroelectric power is used. Again, only 7% of the total electric power that America consumes while hydroelectricity has the capacity to provide over 20% of the national Electricity demand if properly implemented. (Energy Department, 2012) Many individuals support the use of hydroelectric energy in place of fossil fuel energy. The proponents are usually the environmental activists who understand the effects that the use of fossil fuels have on the environment. There are oppose as well. These are mostly the farmers and other members of the public who are directly affected by the construction of dams in their areas. They oppose the application of hydrodynamic power not because they falter it but because they want to safeguard their economic activities. However, this can be avoided by compensating them handsomely as pointed out earlier. Use of hydropower electricity has not only proven benefitial but also effective. Hydropower energy have been used by many coutries all the world over. For example in Africa, hydropower electricity accounts for over 86% of the total production. (Inversin, 2014)Though the countries have not harnessed all the electricity power in all their water resources, the generated power is enough to sustain critical services such as hospitals. Water resources in the world are generally not effectively utilized. Hydropower has the capacity to sustain all the systems that require electrical energy in the world if properly exploited. Hydroelectric power has the most potential source of renewable sourse. Though there are many sources such as geothermal and wind, water remains to be the most exploited and still holds the largest capacity. (U.S Energy Information Administration, 2012) Pollution o the environment through emissions from use of ossil uels affects by far and wide the community at large. Most of the people living around fossil fuel generation plants suffer from breathing complications and respiratory problems. (Gohlke, 2008) This can be stopped with the use of hydropower energy since, as pointed out earlier, there is no emission of harmful gases. Hence, in view of responsible stewardship to the community, it is of great gain if the country adopted hydroelectric energy as the primary source of energy to stop all these shortcomings hence being mindful of the community at large. Based on the reasons given. The best decision that should be adopted in America is to employ all the hydropower resources that our country is endowed with to effectively generate electricity. This will see our country move towards the goal o eiciently lessening the emissions o greenhouse gases. With proper use of hydroelectric energy, green energy will be be easily achieved in our country hence conserving the environment properly. This discussion is also in agreement with the information contained in the book used for this course which is attached. In conclusion, from the critical analysis done above, there is a great need for the American energy sector to shift their focus from the generation of electric energy using fossil fuels to utilizing the available hydroelectric resources. It is evident that the use of fossil fuels poses great danger to the environment and at the same time costs the government a lot of money hence impacting the cost of electricity. It is also evident from the analysis that there are various ways in which the government can be able to harness the unutilized hydroelectric resources. Adoption of Hydroelectric energy would mean low levels of environmental pollution as well as low prices. From the discussion, the opposers of hydroelectricity can be compensated equitably to enable them continue earnilg a living. The problem of interfering with wild animals and competing commercial interests can as well be managed. Thus America should increase hydroelectric power generation because it is renewable and cease relying on generating power from fossil fuels which are unrenewable. Evidently, hydropower holds the future of green energy in America. References Alternate Energy Orgainsation. (2014, September 29). Fossil Fuel. Retrieved from Alternate energy Organisation: http://www.altenergy.org/nonrenewables/fossil_fuel.html Energy Department. (2012, April 17). Energy Department Report Finds Major Potential to Increase Clean Hydroelectric Power. Retrieved from nergy.Gov: http://energy.gov/articles/energy-department-report-finds-major-potential-increase-clean-hydroelectric-power Gohlke. (2008). Health, Economy and Environment: Sustainable Energy Choices for a Nation. Environmental Health Perspectives, 116. Inversin, A. R. (2014, November 4). Micro-Hydropower Sourcebook : A Practical Guide to Design and Implementation in Developing Countries. Melbourne: Intermediate Technology Publications. Retrieved from Hydro for africa. National Hydro power Association. (2015, January). Pumped Storage Strengthens the Grid. Retrieved from hydro.org: http://www.hydro.org/tech-and-policy/developing-hydro/pumped-storage/ The UAGS Water Science School. (2014, May 02). Hydroelectric Power: How it works. Retrieved from The UAGS Water Science School: http://water.usgs.gov/edu/hyhowworks.html U.S Department of Energy. (2012, March). Water power for a Clean Energy Future. Retrieved from U.S department of energy Web site: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy12osti/54310.pdf U.S Energy Information Administration. (2012, January 30). Renewable and Alternative fuels. Retrieved from U.S energy information administration: http://www.eia.gov/renewable/data.cfm#hydro United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2014, 2 7). Overview of Greenhouse Gases. Retrieved from United States Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/co2.html Wikidot. (2010, December 27). Hydropower Resources. Retrieved from Wikidot: http://energyfuture.wikidot.com/hydropower-resources Read More