14. Hydroelectric and Geothermal

Question 1

Hydroelectric

Answer 1

• converts kinetic energy of flowing water into potential energy
• dam

Question 2

Hoover Dam

Answer 2

produces same electricity as nuclear power plant

Question 3

Three Gorges Dam

Answer 3

China
world’s largest damn
Yangtzee River
22,000 MW power

Question 4

Geothermal Process

Answer 4

• converting thermal energy to electricity
• focus on radioactive isotopes in crust that create heat
• pump cold water into ground, displacing hot water up and forming steam, drive turbine in electric generator
• don’t produce much power
• makes up 2% of US power, we are largest producer of geothermally-sourced electricity
• stations in Ca and Nevada
• focus on plate boundaries offshore

Question 5

How much does wind, hydroelectric contribute to electricity.

Answer 5

geothermal - 2%
solar - 6% (drop in price means its growing)
wind - 21%
hydroelectric 25%

= renewable energy at 11%

Question 6

Pros and cons of hydroelectric dams

Answer 6

Pros

• electricity free after build, generate continuously
• Renewable
• No waste or pollution, no CO2
• Can react to changes in demand

Cons

• expensive
• flood upstream
• finding a suitable site is hard
• water quality and quantity affected downstream

Question 7

what’s special about geothermal?

Answer 7

the only renewable not related to the sun

used a lot in iceland