The Pros and Cons OfCoal and Hydropower!

By Alex Toll

Hydropower:How it works

• the water flows through a pipe, or penstock, then pushes against and turns blades in a turbine to spin a generator to produce electricity. In a run-of-the-river system, the force of the current applies the needed pressure, while in a storage system, water is accumulated in reservoirs created by dams, then released as needed to generate electricity.

• For Obvious reasons, Hydropower plants need to be on a stable and sufficient water source

Hydropower’s Benefits• It is a great way to use a renewable source to produce energy, that we all use, weather we use it

for cooking, cleaning, drinking or swimming. • Hydropower is cost-effective, after the initial cost of building the dam is overcome. • The dams for hydropower facilities create wildlife habitats, as well as leisure spots for people if

the dam isn’t used for drinking water. If it is used for drinking water, the dam serves a dual purpose and can help in times of drought, and it can help create large fish habitats.

• The biggest and best benefit of all is the Hydropower is that it is renewable and not only that, it is estimated that hydropower produces almost 20% of the world’s power.

• It can drain water for emergency use, or store it for future use.

Hydropower’s Negatives

• Large Dams hamper or change a River’s flowing ability. This can disrupt the spawning abilities of schools of fish going up river.

• Dams flood certain areas and displace animals and people alike.

• How reliable it is; droughts can hamper everything in the region that depends on this “said” Hydroelectric dam.

• There is a loss of nutrients and sediment downriver.

Coal:How it works

• Coal-fired units produce electricity by burning coal in a boiler to heat water to produce steam. The steam, at tremendous pressure, flows into a turbine, which spins a generator to produce electricity. The steam is cooled, condensed back into water, and returned to the boiler to start the

process over.

Coal’s Benefits• Incredibly plentiful amounts

of coal

• It is relatively inexpensive compared to other energy sources such as Nuclear, Natural gas and oil.

• It Is incredibly maneuverable source in energy: It can be used as a solid, liquid, or a gas.

Coal’s Negatives• Pollution; Coal-fired power

stations are a major sources of pollution in the air.

• Air pollution from these coal-fired power stations can cause acute respiratory problems in individuals who are healthy, and chronic problems with those who already have respiratory problems.

• The energy source is non-renewable. Once it is used, there is no using leftovers.

• Aesthetic Degradation: It makes the outside scenery look absolutely horrible.

Conclusion• Coal seems to be plentiful, and is

very versatile for energy use, but once it is used up, there is a need to have more and more.

• Coal brings aesthetic degradation; it makes the surrounding environment of a individual looks nasty, disgusting, and horrible, and also brings both acute and chronic respiratory problems to all life that uses air to live.

• Hydropower is an excellent source of energy, as it produces no bit of emissions and it all clean.

• Hydropower has more Advantages than disadvantages, and seems to be a great source of renewable energy.

• Hydroelectric energy needs to come from a water source, which is not reliable in arid or desert regions.

Works Citied

• http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=hydropower_home

• http://www.edubook.com/hydropower-pros-and-cons/15441/

• http://www.energy-consumers-edge.com/hydropower_dams_pros_and_cons.html

• http://www.colorado.edu/geolsci/courses/GEOL3520/Hydropower.pdf

• http://www.tva.gov/power/coalart.htm

• http://www.ehow.com/facts_5479102_pros-cons-coal-energy.html