Hydropower

I chose to write about hydropower because back in my hometown,in Alaska,we have a hydro power plant. I wanted to learn more about what hydro power and if it is better for the environment. Apparently it is better than using up fossil fuels, but it is also harmful to the environment in a different way than green house gases. Hydro power can be harmful to the wild life, plants, and can actually get in the way of people’s homes. Although it is harmful, it is also a good renewable resource, because it uses a dam to build up energy in the water by only letting some water pass through. When the water is released it spins turbines to create energy. The dams in the hydro power plants can hold water in so that it can build up enough pressure to create energy or it can hold water in till energy is needed. The hydro power is a good idea but it does have bad side effects. Overall it is better than using up more fossil fuels.

Hydropower.(2008). Retrieved April 4, 2010, from http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=hydropower_home-basics-k.cfm#hydropower_where-basics