All Work Must Be Completely Original Renewable Resources
All Work Must Be Completely Originalrenewable Resourceseach Type Of Pr
Describe the sources of this renewable resource. Explain how this renewable resource is harnessed for energy.
Considering that it takes energy to make energy, identify the kind of energy needed to make electrical energy from this resource. State the average amount of energy this renewable source produces. For example, on average, how much energy does a single wind turbine produce in a year? Or, how much energy does a dam produce in a year? Or, how many wind turbines would be needed to produce the same amount of energy as the average dam?
Compare and contrast the benefits and drawbacks of the renewable energy resource. Support your statements with scholarly references and appropriate examples. Write your initial response in a minimum of 350–400 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.
Paper For Above instruction
Renewable energy sources are vital components of the global effort to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. Among these, hydropower—often referred to as hydroelectric power—is one of the most established and extensively utilized renewable energy sources. This paper examines hydropower, exploring its sources, harnessing methods, energy production capacity, and the associated benefits and drawbacks.
Hydropower derives its energy from the gravitational potential of flowing or falling water. The primary sources include rivers, dams, and reservoirs, which store water at elevated levels. When released, this stored energy converts to kinetic energy, which can then be harnessed to generate electricity. Traditionally, hydropower is harnessed through dam systems that control water flow, channeling the kinetic energy through turbines connected to generators. This process involves constructing dams across rivers or other water bodies, creating reservoirs that can be managed to produce consistent electricity supply (Kermani et al., 2018).
The energy harnessed from hydropower is primarily mechanical and electrical. The process necessitates some energy input for constructing the infrastructure, such as the dam and turbines, as well as ongoing maintenance. The main energy transformation occurs when the kinetic energy of water is converted into mechanical energy in turbines, which then drives generators to produce electrical energy. This conversion is remarkably efficient, with modern hydropower plants achieving efficiencies between 85-90% (International Renewable Energy Agency, 2020). On average, a large dam may produce several gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually— for example, the Hoover Dam generates approximately 4.5 GWh annually (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 2019). To match this output, multiple wind turbines or smaller hydropower facilities could be constructed, but the scale depends on the energy density and operational details of the specific site.
Hydropower offers numerous benefits, including a high energy conversion efficiency, low operating costs after initial construction, and the ability to provide a reliable and controllable power supply. Moreover, it produces no direct greenhouse gas emissions during operation, which significantly reduces its carbon footprint (Worldwatch Institute, 2015). However, the drawbacks are notable. Building large dams can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, displace communities, and alter water quality and flow patterns downstream (Sun et al., 2019). Moreover, hydropower relies heavily on consistent water availability, which can be affected by climate change and drought conditions, potentially reducing its reliability and energy output (Yücel et al., 2021).
In conclusion, hydropower remains a prominent renewable energy source with significant advantages in efficiency and low emissions. Nonetheless, the environmental and social impacts pose challenges that must be managed through sustainable planning and technological innovation. As the global energy landscape evolves, balancing these benefits and drawbacks will be crucial to maximizing hydropower's role in a sustainable future.
References
- International Renewable Energy Agency. (2020). Hydropower and pumped storage. IRENA.
- Kermani, A., & Boley, J. (2018). Environmental impacts of large dams: Case studies from Asia. Renewable Energy Journal, 120, 50-58.
- Sun, W., et al. (2019). Water footprint and environmental impacts of hydropower dams: A review. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(10), 5740-5752.
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. (2019). Hoover Dam annual hydropower production report.
- Worldwatch Institute. (2015). State of renewable energy in the world.
- Yücel, M., et al. (2021). Climate change impacts on hydropower energy production. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 135, 110227.