Do Now: What are the three types of turbines? What parameters determine which turbine to use at a specific site?

Impacts of Hydro Power

Positive Impacts of Hydropower They don’t use up nonrenewable resources to make electricity. They don’t pollute the air, land, or water. They are reliable and cheap to operate.

Positive Impacts of Hydropower They provide startup power after blackouts. They provide recreation for campers, fishermen, and water sports enthusiasts They add to domestic water supplies and quality, help irrigation, and avert flooding

Negative Impacts of Hydropower Hinders the migration of native fish species Supersaturation of N 2 in water downstream Water storage for a dam can flood hundreds to thousands of acres ◦ Ruins animal habitats ◦ Displaces people, homes, religious/cultural sites

Negative Impacts of Hydropower Variable flow downstream of a dam can wash away banks/vegetation Often requires building roads and lumbering in virgin wilderness to construct/maintain Power transmission line corridors must be cut and maintained through forested areas

Potential of Hydro Power The U.S. has more than 80,000 dams on its waterways Only 3% of them produce electricity It is estimated that the U.S. has the potential for an additional 85,000 Mega- watts by: ◦ Modernizing existing facilities ◦ Converting non-power producing dams

Time to reflect and consider… Watch the following video on small hydropower dams, assess the information presented, and then answer the questions on the handout provided.

What’s Coming Up? Build a model hydroelectric turbine and generator.