Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), U.S. Department of Energy reposted this
The Hoover Dam delivers clean energy to more than 1.3 million people. With investments from President Biden’s ambitious clean energy agenda, we are adding over 300 Hoover Dams-worth of carbon-free power to our grid by 2030. That's dam good, if you ask me.
Large-scale hydroelectric projects have both environmental benefits and drawbacks. Land Use: The size of the reservoir created by a hydroelectric project varies based on generator size and land topography. In flat areas, like Brazil’s Balbina hydroelectric plant, large reservoirs can flood extensive land—up to 2,360 square kilometers for just 250 MW of power. In contrast, hilly locations with run-of-the-river plants use as little as 2.5 acres per 10 MW1. Wildlife Impacts: Dammed reservoirs affect aquatic ecosystems. While efforts like fish ladders minimize harm, turbine blades can still injure fish and other organisms. Reservoirs also alter water quality, impacting species both within and downstream from the facility. Life-Cycle Global Warming Emissions: Although hydroelectric power is renewable and reduces CO2 emissions compared to fossil fuels, large dams may still have adverse consequences. They alter river hydrology, nutrient levels, and lifecycles of freshwater-dependent species2. While hydropower is clean and reliable, it’s essential to manage its environmental impacts thoughtfully3. 1 ucsusa.org 2 science.org 3 sswm.info
Maynard Holt
1mo
I am curious to understand the math better. Hoover Dam produces 2 gigawatts of power at full capacity. And the Administration says we are adding 300x that in the next 6 years? Like that’s their official number? Does anyone else understand where that number comes from? Is that a gross number for solar and wind? So not net of intermittency? Is it also gross added and not net of fossil fuel plants closed? Curious how you get that number. Thanks in advance.
Dams have been proven to be destroyers of flora, fauna, and historic artifacts. They may have had a place in history for the production of power and provide a reservoir of water for farming, but those days are over, and our environment is much more important; we are developing cleaner, eco-friendly solutions to energy production like wind and solar. For example, I refer you to the Colorado River running through the Grand Canyon and the environmental and historical artifact destruction that took place and is still creating environmental problems: Front Matter Colorado River Ecology and Dam Management Proceedings of a Symposium May 24-25, 1990 Santa Fe, New Mexico https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/1832/chapter/1 https://www.glencanyon.org/grand-canyon/
E.J. Hamil
1mo
How hilarious is that? If hydro is so good why fund lithium mines and battery factories?
Gordon R.
1mo
It was built 90 years ago. Whats it to do with anyone in government today ??
William Parmelee
1mo
How do you account for the massive carbon footprint to create concrete? NOTHING has a carbon free footprint when you look at the cradle to grave footprint. All you can do is minimize the carbon footprint and other environmental damage and make the best compromise.
Jon Bose, P.E.
1mo
Looking forward to your next career- cleaning urinals at Buckee’s, Jen.
Suzane Yendall
1mo
Wow tax dollars spent on Solar and Wind = Unreliable FAR more Expensive power. Tell me where did the billions for charging stations go?? What about the poison from broken solar panels on "solar farms"??? When will the Tax payers get their money back from the government Obama / Biden Solyndra debacle????? I do hope when Trump gets elected he Does away with the wasteful department of Energy. According to the Dept of energy web site there "mission" is Our Mission The mission of the Energy Department is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions. Please tell me how The environment belongs in this "mission statement". What about the Challenges CREATED for power generation from Cola Oil Gas which is CHEAP and cost effective as well as RELIABLE!!!!!!
Joe Steinke
1mo
Hoover Dam has a capacity of 2200 MW, which is the capacity of Diablo Canyon nuclear plant. Diablo Canyon outputs the 2200 MW at above an 85% capacity factor. Hoover Dam has been severely restricted on output due the water levels, approaching a 40% capacity factor in 2023. 300 Hoover dams would be about 660 GW of renewable generation. Non-hydro renewables in 2022 was about 220GW, with 30~40GW being installed a year. By 2030 (6 years) we would double the current capacity (not counting retirements). We would need to be installing 100GW a year in wind and PV to reach the 660 GW claim. As a rule of thumb about 4x the GWh of storage is needed to balance the grid, which would be about 2500 GWh. Just some numbers for review.
CEO of Surge Energy - One of the largest private oil producers in USA & youngest Chronicle Top 20 private firm in Greater Houston & a 2023 Aggie 100 company
1moSeems like the best energy joke in 2024!