Hydroelectric stations Science Writeup
Hydroelectric Generating Station
Sustainability is the capacity to maintain. Hydroelectricity is a highly sustainable way of generating electicity. With many advantages, hydroelectricity will carry us sustainably, meeting our needs for many, many years to come.
Economically hydroelectric stations are extremely sustainable. Generally speaking it costs anywere from $100 Million dollars to $400 Million dollars to build one station, depending of size. The largest dam in the world (The Three Gorges in China) will cover the construction costs after 5-8 years of operation. Considering these power generating plants can last over 100 years this is incredible. Hydroelectric plants are for the most part self operated so on a regular basis there is very few personel on job. Maintaining the plant is virtually nothing especially when compared to other sources of electrical energy such as Fossil-Fuel Generating Stations. Waste disposal costs are also minimal because hydroelectricity does not generate much waste. The costs are worth it after seeing the mass amount of the profits and energy created, which only costs around 5 cents an hour to make. Since this energy is generated 24/7 it meets all of our electricity demands.
The only social factor that would be a disadvantage to a hydroelectric station would be the barriers to fish. This dam created for generating electricity blocks animals such as fish from continuing down stream, which is a problem. Other than this there are no shown causes of disease from hydroelectric stations. There is virtually no excess noise and no added risks from natural disasters and security. Social factors are minimal, which also makes hydroelectricity sustainable.
Unfortunatly enviromentally hydroelectricity is not so sustainable. While producing next to no greenhouse gasses, smog, air pollution these stations require damaging habitats. First a dam must be created by re-routing the river while the dam is being built which
Sustainability is the capacity to maintain. Hydroelectricity is a highly sustainable way of generating electicity. With many advantages, hydroelectricity will carry us sustainably, meeting our needs for many, many years to come.
Economically hydroelectric stations are extremely sustainable. Generally speaking it costs anywere from $100 Million dollars to $400 Million dollars to build one station, depending of size. The largest dam in the world (The Three Gorges in China) will cover the construction costs after 5-8 years of operation. Considering these power generating plants can last over 100 years this is incredible. Hydroelectric plants are for the most part self operated so on a regular basis there is very few personel on job. Maintaining the plant is virtually nothing especially when compared to other sources of electrical energy such as Fossil-Fuel Generating Stations. Waste disposal costs are also minimal because hydroelectricity does not generate much waste. The costs are worth it after seeing the mass amount of the profits and energy created, which only costs around 5 cents an hour to make. Since this energy is generated 24/7 it meets all of our electricity demands.
The only social factor that would be a disadvantage to a hydroelectric station would be the barriers to fish. This dam created for generating electricity blocks animals such as fish from continuing down stream, which is a problem. Other than this there are no shown causes of disease from hydroelectric stations. There is virtually no excess noise and no added risks from natural disasters and security. Social factors are minimal, which also makes hydroelectricity sustainable.
Unfortunatly enviromentally hydroelectricity is not so sustainable. While producing next to no greenhouse gasses, smog, air pollution these stations require damaging habitats. First a dam must be created by re-routing the river while the dam is being built which
References: (2013), Ontario 's Electricity System, ,http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/en/ Ellis, C., Cary, D., Little, C., A. Mace, H., (2009), Investigating Science, Canada, Ried McAlpine. Ontario Power Generation Inc, (2013) , http://www.opg.com/power/hydro/new_projects/ Wikipedia, (2012), Hydroelectricity, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroelectricity