Research Paper Hydrodynamics
An article released by Triple Pundit in Junk 2012 declared that, “Renewable electricity generation from technologies that are commercially available today, in combination with a more flexible electric system, is more than adds Tate to supply 80% of total united States electricity generation in 2050 while meeting electricity demand n an hourly basis in every region of the country” [10]. Hydrodynamic power is a better energy source and should be used in replace of all fossil fuels in the very near future…. Bottom-line!
This is because it is not only renewable, but is also has a low impact on the environment. Furthermore, it is cost effective to develop, produce, and extract to commercial and residential areas. The following will identify why hydrodynamic power is better for our rivers and oceans, aquatic wildlife, environment, and will provide enough electricity for residential and commercial areas to operate in a normal day-to ay fashion. What exactly is this new technology called hydrodynamic power. According to The Free Dictionary. Mom, hydrodynamic is defined as, a scientific study of the motion of fluids, especially non-compressible liquids, under the influence of internal and external forces. Power is defined as, the energy or motive force by which a physical system or machine is operated: turbines turned by steam power; in this case, turbines turned by water power. It must also be noted that it is not uncommon to hear the term hydrodynamic power when speaking or reading about future project sites addressing hydrodynamic power.
Hydrodynamic is general science pertaining to the motion of liquids and commonly used while referring to larger rivers, tidal power, and wave power. Principally, hydrodynamic power means energy being harnessed from the movement of water and used as a power source. This is a new technology that is picking up energy (pun intended) around the world, it is a refined usage of water as an energy source. Basically the way it works is, energy producing generators, either float atop or below the water’s surface. As the water’s currents or motions course across blades or schematics connected to the generator, it causes a turbine to turn.
This is not actually producing energy but in fact transferring or converting the energy within the water into electrical energy. Electrical wires, either laid or buried on the water’s floor bed, are coupled to the generator and to a power grid located on the closest land mass. At the moment, the existence of hydrodynamic power cannot be discussed without taking hydrophone, the founding-father of water energy into account. Hydrophone or water power, is power derived from the energy of falling water and running water, which is handled into electricity.
Hydrophone is mainly produced at small and large dams located around the United States. This practice of using water as an energy source has a long historical existence. In 1933-1941, the federal government built the Grand Coulee Dam in the state of Washington. It is one example of a large facility, in fact the largest in the United States, that has been producing electricity using water. Grand Coulee Dam alone, supplies electricity to 11 western states and Canada. As it happens, approximately, 29% of all hydrophone generated in the United States came from the state of
Washington in 2013. This means that hydrodynamic power can be successful and produce mass amounts of energy at a colossal scale. Currently, over half of the United States hydroelectric capacity for electricity generation is concentrated in Washington, Oregon, and California. While New York State has the largest hydroelectric capacity of all states east of the Mississippi River Think about it, long before fossil fuels became popular, and before man began the deadly process of extracting and polluting our atmosphere, water was being used to produce a clean energy. For almost a century, hydrophone has provided… Low-cost, renewable and emissions-free electricity. In today’s environment – where talk centers on the need to provide clean and environmentally friendly energy – we must continue to promote and expand the use of hydrophone” [7]. – Rep. DOC Hastings (R-WA) There is lots of proof pointing towards the fact that hydrodynamic power beacons on the new frontier, as the future’s solution to dwindling, highly- polluting fossil fuels. In 2011 , the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued 70 preliminary permits for hydrodynamic projects.
Those permits insisted of 27 tidal, 8 wave, and 35 inland projects that would produce 9. 3 gateway (GO) of hydrodynamic power. Also preliminary permits were pending for an additional 147 projects producing an additional 17. 4 GO During the summer of 201 2, Ocean Renewable Power Co. Installed the first of numerous planned turbine generators in Cookbook Bay, Maine. A 180 k unit that became the first grid-connected tidal energy project without a dam in the United States. Two more projects were scheduled and installed in the fall of 2013.
According to the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA), his source of clean energy could very possibly produce as much as 23 GO by 2025 and 100 GO by the year 2050 [9]. Christopher Mahoney, the Director of Communications for the Electric Power Research Institute (PRI) stated, “technically recoverable wave energy alone could provide about 25 percent of the United States energy demand. ” (Cited in Mechanical Engineering, “Waves, Currents & Electric Potential”, by Mark Crawford, Feb.. 2013) There is a growing interest in using water as an energy source, and the United States government and numerous companies understand.
They understand the costive impact that hydrodynamic power can have on stabilizing our economy with clean low-cost energy. Unfortunately, there is very little long term data that reflects any disadvantages to using hydrodynamic power. However, there are potential impacts that have been projected and being monitored very closely by scientist and environmental enthusiasts around the world. Wave energy and tidal energy project sites require large stretches of ocean space. The concern is that this will interfere with fishing and shipping lanes, or cause damage to marine life and habitats.
Some tidal energy technologies are located at the mouths of ecologically-sensitive estuary systems, which could cause changes in hydrology and salinity that negatively impact animal and plant life Researchers are also concerned with how generators and their blades will effect aquatic plants, fish, flooring and the ecosystem. As well, how the project site’s surroundings and inhabitants will be effected by the displacement of sediments and contaminants due to changes with the flow of water currents. The burrowing and placement of power cables in the water.
Heat and noise that may emit generators and possible hydraulic fluid leaks. It was discovered through the existence Of dams, that altering water currents can cause jamming with leaves, brush and fallen trees which can change how fish will migrate. Even worse, changing the water’s temperature or oxygen level that can kill algae or fish. For example, a simple change of three degrees warmer or cooler can kill every living thing in a lake. If a lake does not have enough oxygen, it will eventually suffocate all the algae and fish. Algae also provides much needed nutrients needed for a sake’s cycle of life.
The end result, is that the CEO-system of any body of water is very sensitive to any sort of transformation. Fortunately, lessons learned from dams, such as the Grand Coulee Dam have determine how hydrodynamic power will develop in the future. With over 1 0 decades of information, these teachings are having positive effects on decisions for hydrodynamic project site selections in the United States and several other countries. For instance, smaller dams have been converted to restore free- flowing water with small hydrodynamic generators attached.
Through edifying these dams, small and large, measures are established that safeguard the environment. The following are targeted actions with successful outcomes: Reservoir sediment and river erosion management Constructing fish passage facilities Modifying dam operations to restore river flows Building fish hatcheries Controlling the temperature and oxygen levels of water released from dams Conserving and remediation land surrounding reservoirs, rivers and dams [6]. In 2009, the United States Department of Energy delivered a comprehensive report on environmental impacts of hydrodynamic power generation to
Congress. The report stated there is no conclusive evidence that hydrodynamic technologies will cause significant environmental impacts on aquatic environments, fish and fish habitats, ecological relationships, and other marine and freshwater resources Hydrodynamic power has concerns, that are considered scientifically as “hypothesis”, a theory that is not proven. The United States government has deemed that there is little to no damage caused by hydrodynamic power to our environment. Water is reliable, unlike wind as source of power and will support the United States for over 100 ears.
In view of the fact that hydrodynamic power is a constant means of renewable energy, it is not subject to unpredictable high price swings in the markets for energy like fossil fuels. There is little cost for erecting additional power supplies and cables. On land, infrastructure needed for the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities of operation already exist. However, some facilities need to be built, and to have routine maintenance and repairs. This can be a boost to the economy as a whole. It is determined that hydrodynamic power can potential create 1. Million jobs globally by 2025.
Additionally, it helps that there are financial groups directing their attention towards hydrodynamic power each passing day. The expense of harnessing water as energy is becoming more affordable because Of private grants, government support, and companies like Exemplar Fund L P. The acronym they promote and their business strategy is, “CARES- C Clean Technology, A Agric-Business, R Renewable Energy, E Environmental and Bio- Technologies, S Sustainable Development Technologies. Exemplar Fund L P, an investment company for investors and entrepreneurs, support sponsors ho operate clean energy projects like hydrodynamic power [3].
In Gag 201 2, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission awarded Verdant Power Company a commercial license for tidal power, another example of growing interest in hydrodynamic power. Verdant Power Company was established in 2000 and is located in New York City. They completed five years of turbine testing and have 30 project sites being manufactured in the East River. By 2015, the company estimates they will generate 1 megawatt of energy to power 9,500 New York homes [2]. Hydrodynamic power is cost effective to develop cause of the materials used.
Furthermore, large portions of the infrastructure is already in place. These two points only will affect the economy with the end result being cheaper energy prices for the residential and commercial consumer. It is a known fact that coal pollutants, a non- renewable fossil fuel, is harmful to humans and has severe complications to our environment. There is acid mine drainage that contaminates creeks and rivers and is extremely difficult to contain. This occurs through a chemical reaction between water and sulfur-bearing rocks as coal is removed from the land. Methane emissions is another.
In 201 2, methane emissions from the United States coal mining was 0. 9 percent of the overall United States greenhouse gas emissions. The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that coalmine methane contributes 8 – 1 0 percent of human-made methane emissions worldwide On the other hand, hydrodynamic power is advantageous to use because it is a clean source of energy, it releases no toxic emissions or contribute to the greenhouse gas effect. There is no carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, methane, uranium, or dust particles polluting the atmosphere.
This means, not only does it have a minimum impact on the surrounding area, but it also means that hydrodynamic power has a minimum impact globally as a whole. According to The National Hydrophone Association, hydrophone is a climate-friendly energy source, generating power without producing air pollution or toxic by- products. Using hydrophone avoids nearly 200 million metric tons of carbon pollution in the U. S. Each year – equal to the output of over 38 million passenger cars Now imagine what hydrodynamic power will do, knowing it is more technologically advanced than hydrophone.
Again, hydrodynamic rower is the answer to renewable energy. Hydrodynamic power is a better energy source and should be used in replace of all fossil fuels in the very near future…. Bottom-line! With technological advances and large amounts of flowing water located throughout Earth, hydrodynamic power benefits are endless. It is my opinion that hydrodynamic power is so beneficial, that it will actually protect aquatic plants, fish, wildlife, land and ecosystems if we switch from fossil fuels to water as a source of energy. Dams, hydrodynamic power’s founding-father, has given us decades of lessons learned to implement as we eve forward.
