An Argument for Hydroelectric PowerAnne Laschober

University of Arkansas- College of Engineering800 W. Dickson St.

Fayetteville, AR 72701 USA

Abstract- Water covers 96.5% of the Earth. This paper discusses the argument for hydroelectric power, a form of renewable energy that uses water to produce power and electricity. This paper provides an introduction of hydroelectric power and explains how it generates electricity. This paper also discusses the pros, cons, ethical implications of supporting this position, and the importance of educating the public of the reasons why hydroelectric power should be the energy of the future.

I. INTRODUCTION

With over 3.5 million miles of rivers in the United States alone, there is an abundance of flowing water that can be harnessed for its energy. Water is a very common renewable resource on Earth and when used to generate power, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. One of the main arguments against hydroelectric power is the environmental damage it can cause. If the government would devote more money to research to dramatically increase any environmental damage, the only argument against hydroelectric power would no longer be an argument. This paper will cover a basic introduction into hydroelectric power, present the pros and cons of this form of renewable energy, discuss two ethical implications of this type of power, and show an example of how the facts stated in this paper have also been presented in contemporary media.

II. WHAT IS HYDROELECTRIC POWER

The concept of harnessing the power of falling water has been around for centuries, although the engineering behind it has changed drastically in the last two. In a hydroelectric power plant, the energy generated by flowing water is harnessed to create hydroelectric power. The force produced from falling water is used to turn a turbine inside a generator that produces electricity [1]. This process can be seen below in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1. Diagram of how hydroelectric power is produced using a turbine, generator, and falling water [1]

Hydroelectric dams are usually built where there is a significant decrease in elevation on a large river. The dam is placed at this location so that the natural flow of water from a higher elevation to a lower elevation can be used to generate power. At the bottom of the wall of the dam on the reservoir side is a door called the water intake. This door will remain open at all times or closed during periods of time, depending on the demand for electricity in the area. Gravity is harnessed once again to allow the water to flow through the penstock portion of the dam to where the turbine is. The turbine moves due to the force of the falling water, which in turn moves the propeller. This propeller is connected by a shaft to the generator above, which produces the power and creates the electricity. Power lines are connected to this generator which is how the power produced at a hydroelectric dam reaches the people who use it [1]. This flow of water through a dam can be seen below in Fig. 2. A simple calculation can be done using (1) to find the energy in an elevated water volume, W, in Joules. In this equation ρ is the density of water in kg/m3, V is the volume of the water in m3, g is gravity on Earth in m/s2, and h is the height of the water in m.

W=¿ ρ* V * g * h [2] (1)

Fig. 2. Diagram showing how water flows through a hydroelectric dam [1]

III. ARGUMENTS FOR HYDROELECTRIC POWER

As stated before, the arguments for hydroelectric power production greatly outweigh the arguments against it. A major problem with fossil fuels is the emissions that is released into the atmosphere when they are used. With hydroelectric power, the effects of global warming can be slowed down substantially. Hydroelectric power does not release carbon dioxide or pollutants into the air when it is generated [3], thus reducing acid rain, smog, and toxic by-products [4]. The use of hydroelectric power also helps the United States to avoid 200 million metric tons of carbon emissions each year [5] and prevents the emission of greenhouse gasses that result from the burning of 4.4 million barrels of oil per day throughout the world [4].

Hydroelectric power plants are good investments for the future. Hydroelectric dams bring electricity, which thus increases the industry and commerce of an area. If an area grows as a result of a hydroelectric installation, the economy will also grow; this means there will be better access to education and health care. Better access to education and health care then improves the quality of life for citizens in an area powered by a dam [4]. Another way that hydroelectric power plants increase the quality of life for citizens in the area comes from the recreational opportunities created [3]. Often large recreational lakes are created as a result of a hydroelectric power plant, which provides opportunities for boating, swimming, and fishing.

Once a hydroelectric power plant is built, it requires very little operating and maintenance costs [4]. Due to this fact, a power plan will generate enough energy in its lifetime to compensate for the initial cost of building it. Another important aspect of hydroelectric power is that the power can be generated according to demand by controlling the flow of water [6]. As described in the section about how hydroelectric power is produced, the intake doors at the bottom of the dam wall can be shut if there is not a large demand for electricity at that time.

Table I shows an overview comparison between hydroelectric power and two other forms of renewable energy. Ultimately, hydroelectric power is a much better choice for

renewable energy compared to other forms because the cost is low and its readily available.

TABLE I [7]A COMPARISON BETWEEN RENEWABLE ENERGY TYPES

  Hydroelectric  Themal NuclearInvestment per kW High Lower Very High

Energy Cost Low High Very HighTransmission Line Long Shorter Shorter

Building Time Long Shorter Long

Lifetime Long Shorter Medium

Job Generation High Low MediumEnvironmental Impact Reservoir Atmosphere RadioactivityGreenhouse Effect Lower High None

Import Import High Medium

Return Rate Low High Low

IV. ARGUMENTS AGAINST HYDROELECTRIC POWER

Many argue against hydroelectric power due to the environmental impact it can produce. Hydroelectric power plants can have serious effects on a surround area, such as altering the amount and quality of the water after it passes through the dam. The amount and quality of the water is important because if it is poor, the plant, aquatic, and land life below a dam can all be affected [3]. Another big problem is that fish can get caught in the turbines and killed as a result. However, there are multiple methods already used in hydroelectric dams to reduce this problem, such as take-in screens and fish ladders [8]. Unlike, many other types of renewable energy, the problems caused by a hydroelectric power plant are natural and can be fixed through ingenuity and research.

v. FIRST ETHICAL IMPLICATION

According to the IEEE Code of Ethics, the first rule states that members of IEEE commit and agree to “accept responsibility in making decisions consistent with safety, health, and welfare of the public, and to disclose promptly factors that might endanger the public or environment” [9]. The part of this agreement that affects hydroelectric power has to do with factors that endanger the environment. As discussed in the ‘arguments against’ portion of this paper, there are some resulting issues from hydroelectric power that have a huge impact on the environment. Hydroelectric dams result in the killing of fish when they get stuck in turbines, the destroying of habitats of species and forests, the blocking of migratory routes for fish, and the production of methane from the destruction of forests when a dam is built [3]. If an engineer wanted to adopt the position that hydroelectric power is the future of energy, yet also remain loyal to the IEEE Code of Ethics, this engineer would have to acknowledge that the

concept of hydroelectric power is not without its flaws. Upon recognizing the drawbacks of this form of renewable energy, the engineer should devote either their personal time or hire others to conduct research to mitigate these drawbacks to the best of their ability. Being aware of the problem is the first step, but it is very important to follow through and make sure that the problem is solved.

VI. SECOND ETHICAL IMPLICATION

According to the IEEE Code of Ethics, the first rule states that members of IEEE commit and agree to “be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available data” [9]. In support of a particular form of renewable energy, it would be against the IEEE Code of Ethics for an engineer to fabricate data or information in order to further the cause. Often engineers are invited to conferences or meetings at which they give a presentation about their opinion on a type of renewable energy. As stated above, in order to avoid this implication with the IEEE Code of Ethics, an engineer must always be honest about the data that is available or isn’t available when supporting their positions.

VIII. IDENTIFIED IN CONTEMPORARY MEDIA

In a New York Times article “Stop Wasting America’s Hydropower Potential”, the authors, Lisa Murkowski and Jay Faison, cite President Obama saying that climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing our country and that he was open to new ideas to address it. The authors then go on to explain how the President could start by increasing legislation to grow the United States’ hydropower capacity [10]. Murkowski and Faison then proceed to explain the pros of hydroelectric power and why they believe that this renewable energy form has a lot of unused potential. The New York Times is a very popular, yet reliable media outlet in the world today; as a result, this article probably was read by millions of people. This type of support for and exposure of hydroelectric power in the mainstream media is exactly what the argument for this renewable energy form needs. Spreading the world and educating people about the benefits will be important in the future of hydroelectric power.

IX. CONCLUSION

Renewable energy is the energy of the future. There are a lot of good sources of renewable energy available in this world today that should be harnessed for their potential. It is important to be aware of the arguments for and against each type of renewable energy. Many good forms of renewable energy do not yet have the technology available to make it a viable option. However, this is not the case with hydroelectric power. Hydroelectric power has been around for a significant amount of time and the technology needed to use it is readily available. The United States government should invest more money into hydroelectric power, whether it be in the renovation of hydroelectric power plants or in research to reduce the environmental impact often caused by the dams.

Tapping into the hydroelectric power opportunities available would greatly improve the future of energy.

REFERENCES

[1] "Hydroelectric Power: How It Works." USGS. US Department of the Interior, 15 Aug. 2015. Web. [2] "Hydropower." The Engineering Toolbox. N.p., n.d. Web[3] McCarthy, Kevin E. "Pros and Cons of Hydropower." Connecticut General Assembly. N.p., 4 Oct. 2010. Web. [4] "10 Reasons for Promoting the Hydroelectricity." Itaipu Binacional. N.p., n.d. Web.[5] Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. U.S. Department of Energy, n.d. Web.[6] "Hydroelectric Power." The Environmental Literacy Council. N.p., n.d. Web. [7] Rosa, Luiz P. "Hydroelectric, Thermal and Nuclear Generation." Sci Flo Brasil. Cidade Universitária, n.d. Web. [8] "Environmental Impacts of Hydroelectric Power." Union of Concerned Scientists. N.p., n.d. Web.[9] Murkowski, Lisa, and Jay Faison. "Stop Wasting America’s Hydropower Potential." The New York Times. The New York Times, 14 Jan. 2016. Web.[10] "IEEE Code of Ethics." IEEE. N.p., n.d. Web.[11] "A Stochastic Approach to Hydroelectric Power Generation Planning in an Electricity Market." IEEE Xplore. IEEE, n.d. Web.[12] "Economic Dispatch Planning Based on Considerations of Wind Power Generation and Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Plants for Isolated Power Systems." IEEE Xplore. IEEE, n.d. Web.