Hydropower – On the Level

Level means many things to many people. In the case of energy generation the moving water used to make electricity through hydropower units can literally be on the level. And now that everyone knows what hydropower is (electricity made by water power, for latecomers) we need to define a new term: Hydrokinetic Generation.

Not all moving water flows as waterfalls, from on high, so to speak. Rivers, streams and tidal waters all flow – horizontally and can, believe it or not, also generate electricity.

So along come the “Free-Flow Hydrokinetic Turbines.” These are turbines shaped like rockets, or bombs, with propellers. Actually they use reverse propellers that rotate or spin using the energy of the water flow passing around it. The rotation then runs the electricity generator –making cheap and clean power.

These units are small and have minimal or no impact “.. on survival and migrations of fish, aquatic and terrestrial habitats, water quality , sediment transport and visual/aesthetic qualities,” according to the DOE.

Also, while not literally on the level, the development of Wave Energy Technologies is also promising power from the movement of water horizontally. This Wave format is still under study and not as likely to be helpful as the Hydrokinetic Turbines.

And all of this renewable energy technology has not been concerned with one major technology- using dams to develop hydropower electricity.

And here is one of the Great Myths presented by those who are Not On The Level:
Myth: “Using hydropower means building new dams.”

Reality: There are 80,000 dams in the United States. Only 2,400 of them are used to generate electricity.

Let’s get going with the 77,600 dams that are already built and either being used for something like running lumber mills or fabric manufacturing or are just sitting there like many that can be found in New England.

Once again, it falls to the government agencies that license the use of dams, existing or new, to generate electricity. And once again it falls to the people to force the separation of the interests of their representative from the financial and political power of the Fossil Fuel Barons and their incredibly widespread operations.

Voting – will count – to make the government proceed on the level - to finally provide clean water and clean air for our grandchildren’s grandchildren