Hydropower's newest generation
With the prices of fossil fuels rising and falling, utilities, developers and large electricity users have come to see the benefits of cheap, reliable hydropower. The nation's hydropower plants currently supply about 70,000Mw, or roughly 14% of the nation's electricity needs. This represents just 35% to 40% of the power that could be tapped. Some of the benefits described of hydropower include that it is renewable, nonpolluting, reliable, dependable, flexible and has a low operating and maintenance cost. The major problems cited with hydropower is the bureaucracy involved, such as the EPA-stopped construction of plants because of concern for the fish or their consideration over whether to use the water for recreational purposes or for hydropower.
- OSTI ID:
- 6140274
- Journal Information:
- Civ. Eng. (N.Y.); (United States), Vol. 55:8
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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