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Unused US hydropower could supply 1.5 million megawatt-hours annually

arstechnica -- In the US, the loss of landscape and wildlife to hydropower has made the installation of major new dams very unlikely; in fact, the government is seriously considering removing a number of existing ones, and has recently dismantled some smaller ones. But two reports by the Department of the Interior suggest that this doesn't mean the end of new hydropower in the states. The DOI has gone through its catalog and identified existing dams and canals that could be fitted with generators, and found the potential for up to 1.5 million megawatt-hours annually.

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Submitted Apr 28, 2012 By: eromitlab

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,580 Points:1,605,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 2, 2012 5:51:48 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse there are many untapped resources that can be utilitzed without destroying many areas of farming land. Just gotta think outside the box.
GasFreeLeaf Champion Author Orange County Posts:1,242 Points:474,100 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 9:23:11 PM Ignore GasFreeLeaf Report Abuse Oil extraction to final consumer pumping is a major electric consumption industry. No electricity - No gas, it is that simple.
melvindale Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,438 Points:351,230 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 12:01:19 PM Ignore melvindale Report Abuse There are also a few places where hydroelectric power is possible without a dam. For example the Detroit River. It has a very high flow of water: 188,000 cu ft/s (5,324 m3/s), and is deep: 253 feet (77 m), so power generators could be located well below navigation areas, yet above the bottom. The water flow through the Detroit River is constant, year-round. The largest ships on the Detroit River draw less than 50 feet. That leaves a lot of space for a flow-generator, that would be similar to some wind generators.
geezrtek Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,886 Points:428,485 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 9:00:42 AM Ignore geezrtek Report Abuse It'll be interesting to see what objections the enviro-MENTAL-ists have to using existing dams, in place for flood control or irrigation, for electric power. I don't think they will be able to stand the benefit to human kind without making some sort of complaint.
MusicalMan7 All-Star Author Ohio Posts:597 Points:93,330 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 4:33:26 AM Ignore MusicalMan7 Report Abuse @JRSVA - OK, I read them (now) as I was under that same misguided perception. So I guess even the "Patrick Dempsey rescues teen from flipped car in his yard" article is of value here because it mentions the star is also a race fan? So it relates to "automobiles, transportation (primarily autos), vehicle safety" per the posting guidelines, I suppose. Oh, yeah, and I think I've seen him driving a car or pickup truck on "Grey's Anatomy" too. But don't the guidelines also mention articles needing "more substance" than just "mere gas prices?" I'm so confused...
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,835 Points:1,609,325 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 11:34:48 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse Did the DOI study consider what it would cost to retrofit dams for power generation? This is not an easy proposition in many cases. To have any practical application a feasibility study needs to include a cost/benefit analysis.
wild3bill Champion Author New York Posts:2,546 Points:1,685,865 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 11:18:37 PM Ignore wild3bill Report Abuse That is 1.5 Gigawatt hours enough for time travel in a 1986 DeLorean with Flux capacitor time circuits;-} the extra juice could be used in the future to charge 2012 -20`3 chevy Volt
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,835 Points:1,609,325 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 11:17:24 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse “and this relates to gas and vehicles how ?” Why do you ask, AK? Do you have some misguided perception that all Newsville articles must be about oil or gas? Try reading the posting guidelines before complaining.
AKmailman Champion Author Alaska Posts:5,618 Points:1,554,640 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 11:14:14 PM Ignore AKmailman Report Abuse and this relates to gas and vehicles how ?
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,214 Points:553,230 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 11:08:06 PM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse Hmm
Beaveronparade Champion Author Hartford Posts:2,096 Points:632,245 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:55:20 PM Ignore Beaveronparade Report Abuse Sounds interesting but more information is needed. Why would they not use it?
clermont40miles Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:10,548 Points:1,768,870 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:53:02 PM Ignore clermont40miles Report Abuse The hydropower is unused because it does not exist. Such a strange headline compared to the story. Build it and it will be used. Appears to be talk and no action. The greens do not like or want dams. And they do not want good things to come from dams. Let the greens walk. Let them freeze. Let them go first. Green is red.
Holly123 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:3,182 Points:786,210 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:49:15 PM Ignore Holly123 Report Abuse Let's explore it.
gass12 Champion Author Omaha Posts:8,374 Points:2,300,690 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:48:37 PM Ignore gass12 Report Abuse Sounds a bit wishy washy to me.
CVA19 Champion Author Salem Posts:2,393 Points:606,100 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:48:19 PM Ignore CVA19 Report Abuse "The DOI has gone through its catalog and identified existing dams and canals that could be fitted with generators..." Sure... and the "greenies" will fight against every one--guaranteed!
FlyNFool Champion Author South Carolina Posts:8,224 Points:1,681,200 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:46:26 PM Ignore FlyNFool Report Abuse Unused? Why?
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,784 Points:1,839,550 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:44:25 PM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse OK
Mr Tex All-Star Author Dallas Posts:858 Points:2,489,805 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:43:54 PM Ignore Mr Tex Report Abuse Better to dismantle dams than wait for them to break.
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,939 Points:3,068,980 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:43:46 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse The Ford Ranger plant in the TC area just closed and it was part hydro powered. Obviously that wasn't enough for Ford to keep production here. :(
gmcgas Champion Author Atlanta Posts:5,935 Points:1,710,355 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:40:50 PM Ignore gmcgas Report Abuse well i guess we'll be paying out the wadzoo for electic when that happens.
pnivens Veteran Author Georgia Posts:426 Points:434,265 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:35:51 PM Ignore pnivens Report Abuse We'll see.
GasFreeLeaf Champion Author Orange County Posts:1,242 Points:474,100 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:35:08 PM Ignore GasFreeLeaf Report Abuse The availability of hydropower has attracted BMW to establish a $100 million manufacturing facility in Washington State, to build components for its new electric car. New jobs, now.
GenoAR Veteran Author Arkansas Posts:429 Points:762,945 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:34:56 PM Ignore GenoAR Report Abuse Still won't help the consumer much.
orcar Champion Author Boise Posts:2,043 Points:773,990 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:32:58 PM Ignore orcar Report Abuse Nothing more than a maybe.
bar1035 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:9,130 Points:1,294,220 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:30:44 PM Ignore bar1035 Report Abuse anything not currently used will need transmission lines built - not cheap
carman11 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,314 Points:687,725 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:29:34 PM Ignore carman11 Report Abuse OK
DustyHorse Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,067 Points:1,387,845 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:26:28 PM Ignore DustyHorse Report Abuse Every little bit helps.
pinkelefant Champion Author Sacramento Posts:19,571 Points:2,657,680 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:24:29 PM Ignore pinkelefant Report Abuse We need a new dam in Sacramento to dam up...
catspaw Champion Author Toronto Posts:29,929 Points:3,149,735 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:23:53 PM Ignore catspaw Report Abuse So no need to worry about EVs drawing on the grid.
drobbbb Champion Author Maryland Posts:3,460 Points:808,460 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:23:31 PM Ignore drobbbb Report Abuse what is the start up cost
pickledude72 Champion Author California Posts:1,120 Points:835,495 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:21:53 PM Ignore pickledude72 Report Abuse ok
js0743 All-Star Author Georgia Posts:981 Points:455,630 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:20:34 PM Ignore js0743 Report Abuse Wow! I had no idea.ow
Hoporrene Veteran Author Mississippi Posts:312 Points:206,970 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:20:08 PM Ignore Hoporrene Report Abuse ...
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,290 Points:1,634,920 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:19:27 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse COOL!
themaninthehat Champion Author New Orleans Posts:1,824 Points:472,265 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:18:54 PM Ignore themaninthehat Report Abuse Why?
tidalwave3 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:1,294 Points:1,460,075 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:18:50 PM Ignore tidalwave3 Report Abuse It is cheaper to build than coal fire or nuclear power plantsand I belief a lot more enduring :)
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,976 Points:1,109,385 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:12:57 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse Wonder who will pay for this???
REVLAW Champion Author San Antonio Posts:10,415 Points:2,003,245 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:11:25 PM Ignore REVLAW Report Abuse So now another bureaucratic head pops up.
danlanman Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,312 Points:718,460 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:11:23 PM Ignore danlanman Report Abuse let's us it
tippybuddy Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,523 Points:207,740 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:10:59 PM Ignore tippybuddy Report Abuse ok
paulp24 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:4,522 Points:818,550 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:10:55 PM Ignore paulp24 Report Abuse Ok
eaglev Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:4,001 Points:937,155 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:10:26 PM Ignore eaglev Report Abuse We need to harness it if we can.
freedomsailor Champion Author Naples Posts:2,109 Points:406,670 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:08:57 PM Ignore freedomsailor Report Abuse Will need a very, very long extension cord for my car.
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,210 Points:869,225 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:08:14 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse Environmentalists never met a source of energy that they like.
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:8,268 Points:1,671,605 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:05:31 PM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse OK
dancygreen Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,048 Points:481,860 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:05:28 PM Ignore dancygreen Report Abuse why haven't these dams been generating power all along?
w9med Champion Author Gary Posts:1,128 Points:327,845 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:03:12 PM Ignore w9med Report Abuse Have to do something. I don't want to live in a cave
TelsaOR Champion Author Oregon Posts:3,561 Points:732,890 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:02:59 PM Ignore TelsaOR Report Abuse Potential is the key word and it's only a word. No action on anyones part.
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:7,470 Points:1,553,750 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:02:38 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse Hydropower though it is non-polluting. It has its drawbacks.
gknee09 All-Star Author Philadelphia Posts:980 Points:820,065 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:00:33 PM Ignore gknee09 Report Abuse sounds promising