Hydroelectricity is an Efficient Way to Power the World Essay -- Water

Abstract With nonrenewable energy sources such as fossil fuels being quickly depleted as humans require more energy in the daily lives of modern society, renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly popular. For example, many energy sources such as wind power, solar power, and water power are being used throughout the world. Among these, hydroelectricity, the harnessing of energy from moving water and one form of renewable energy, is an efficient, economical, and nonpolluting alternative to fossil fuels with the potential to provide a larger percentage of world energy in the future. Introduction Hydroelectric energy is generated from moving water and is currently the largest source of renewable energy in the world. (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2005) As shown in Figure 1, small and large hydroelectric energy together constituted over 63% of all renewable energy used worldwide in 2005. Small hydroelectric plants usually encompass plants that generate up to 10 megawatts of power, while large hydroelectric plants can generate thousands of megawatts. (Global Status Report, 2006) http://e67ti2w9ws71al8xmnhsozd3.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2011/07/renewable-energy-sources-us-eia-2010-jk.jpg Figure 1: Hydroelectricity compared to Other Renewable Energy Sources Since the Greeks used water wheels over two thousand years ago, humans have been using movement of water to create energy. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2005) The development of the water turbine began with French engineer Bernard Forest de Bï ¿ ½lidor in the 1700?s, and the first hydroelectric power plant in the world was built in Wisconsin in 1882. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2005) This power plant was based on a combination of a water turbine and an electric ... ....ren21.net/globalstatusreport/download/RE_GSR_2006_Update.pdf Hydroelectricity: Definition and Much More from Answers.com. (2006, June 6) Retrieved July 29, 2007, from http://www.answers.com/topic/hydroelectricity?cat=technology Pimental, D et al. (2002). Renewable Energy: Current and Potential Issues. BioScience, 50(2), 1111-1119. Retrieved July 22,2007, from http://arec.oregonstate.edu/jaeger/energy/Renewable%20energy%20article%20pimental.pdf Union of Concerned Scientists. (2005, August 25) Renewable Energy Basics. Hydroelectricity 10 Retrieved July 22, 2007, from http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/renewable_energy_basics/ U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (2005, August 30). Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program: Hydropower Technologies. Retrieved July 22, 2007, from http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/hydro_history.html Hydroelectricity is an Efficient Way to Power the World Essay -- Water Abstract With nonrenewable energy sources such as fossil fuels being quickly depleted as humans require more energy in the daily lives of modern society, renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly popular. For example, many energy sources such as wind power, solar power, and water power are being used throughout the world. Among these, hydroelectricity, the harnessing of energy from moving water and one form of renewable energy, is an efficient, economical, and nonpolluting alternative to fossil fuels with the potential to provide a larger percentage of world energy in the future. Introduction Hydroelectric energy is generated from moving water and is currently the largest source of renewable energy in the world. (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2005) As shown in Figure 1, small and large hydroelectric energy together constituted over 63% of all renewable energy used worldwide in 2005. Small hydroelectric plants usually encompass plants that generate up to 10 megawatts of power, while large hydroelectric plants can generate thousands of megawatts. (Global Status Report, 2006) http://e67ti2w9ws71al8xmnhsozd3.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2011/07/renewable-energy-sources-us-eia-2010-jk.jpg Figure 1: Hydroelectricity compared to Other Renewable Energy Sources Since the Greeks used water wheels over two thousand years ago, humans have been using movement of water to create energy. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2005) The development of the water turbine began with French engineer Bernard Forest de Bï ¿ ½lidor in the 1700?s, and the first hydroelectric power plant in the world was built in Wisconsin in 1882. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2005) This power plant was based on a combination of a water turbine and an electric ... ....ren21.net/globalstatusreport/download/RE_GSR_2006_Update.pdf Hydroelectricity: Definition and Much More from Answers.com. (2006, June 6) Retrieved July 29, 2007, from http://www.answers.com/topic/hydroelectricity?cat=technology Pimental, D et al. (2002). Renewable Energy: Current and Potential Issues. BioScience, 50(2), 1111-1119. Retrieved July 22,2007, from http://arec.oregonstate.edu/jaeger/energy/Renewable%20energy%20article%20pimental.pdf Union of Concerned Scientists. (2005, August 25) Renewable Energy Basics. Hydroelectricity 10 Retrieved July 22, 2007, from http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/renewable_energy_basics/ U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (2005, August 30). Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program: Hydropower Technologies. Retrieved July 22, 2007, from http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/hydro_history.html