HYDROPOWER VS FOSSIL FUELS

Introduction
Our dependence on fossil fuels is too much in fact more than1/3 of all energy demanded in Canada is fossil fuel based.scientists have predicted that all of our oil will run out in the next 50 years. This means that we will not be able to drive the cars that we do today in 2060! This is why we have to find a greener source of energy and lead to a more sustainable life

What is global warming?
Global warming is the slow increase of the earths atmospheric temperature.the cause of this increase are greenhouse gases. These are gases that we emit with the use of our technologies like cars,power stations etc.the earths ozone layer filters just the amount of Sun rays into the earths surface he rest bounce back to space.these greenhouse gases thicken the ozone layer and cause less UV rays to get bounced back up to space and remain on earth.This causes our planet to heat up.

BEFORE GLOBAL WARMING

AFTER GLOBAL WARMING

Why are fossil fuel based power stations causing global warming?

Fossil fuel based power stations are causing global warming because these power stations let carbon dioxide and other harmful gases into the air.Carbon dioxide is a green house gas .This means that the gas, when let into the atmosphere, will stop the sun rays from escaping the space.More recently, coal production and coal power have slowed, as other cleaner sources of electricity become more affordable. While difficult for the communities that depend on coal mines and plants, the transition away from coal is essential for avoiding some of coal’s worst impacts.

ADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS.

• Power stations are very cheap to operate
• Fossil fuels such as coal are easy to find.
• Fossil fuel based power stations can be built almost anywhere

AN ALTERNATIVE TO FOSSIL FUELS?

WHAT IS HYDRO POWER?

Hydro power or Water power is power derived from the energy of falling water or fast running water, which may be harnessed for useful purposes. Since ancient times, hydropower from many kinds of watermills has been used as a renewable energy source for irrigation and the operation of various mechanical devices, such as gristmills, sawmills, textile mills, trip hammers, dock cranes, domestic lifts, and ore mills. A trompe, which produces compressed air from falling water, is sometimes oused to power other machinery at a distance Since the early 20th century, the term has been used almost exclusively in conjunction with the modern development of hydroelectric power. International institutions such as the World Bank view hydropower as a means for economic development without adding substantial amounts of carbon to the atmosphere

Hydraulic power pipe networks

Hydraulic power networks used pipes to carry pressurized water and transmit mechanical power from the source to end users. The power source was normally a head of water, which could also be assisted by a pump. These were extensive in Victorian cities in the United Kingdom. A hydraulic power network was also developed in Geneva, Switzerland. The world-famous Jet d'Eau was originally designed as the over-pressure relief valve for the network.

Most common type of hydroelectric power plant uses a dam on a river to store water in a reservoir. Water released from the reservoir flows through a turbine, spinning it, which in turn activates a generator to produce electricity. But hydroelectric power doesn't necessarily require a large dam. Some hydroelectric power plants just use a small canal to channel the river water through a turbine.
Another type of hydroelectric power plant - called a pumped storage plant - can even store power. The power is sent from a power grid into the electric generators.

Future potential.
The technical potential for the growth of hydropower around the world are, 71% Europe, 75% North America, 79% South America, 95% Africa, 95% Middle East, 82% Asia Pacific. The political realities of new reservoirs in western countries, economic limitations in the third world and the lack of a transmission system in undeveloped areas, result in the possibility of developing 25% of the remaining potential before 2050, with the bulk of that being in the Asia Pacific . A few countries are highly developed and have very little room for growth, Switzerland 12% and Mexico 20%.

Conclusion
In conclusion hydroelectric power will be in high demand in the coming years since fossil fuels are running out and damaging the earth.