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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:18,609 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 2, 2012 3:51:48 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:474,725 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 7:23:11 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 10:01:19 AM 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:1,902 Points:431,510 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 7:00:42 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 2:33:26 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:9,847 Points:1,612,025 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 9:34:48 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:1,686,615 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 9:18:37 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:9,847 Points:1,612,025 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 9:17:24 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:5,628 Points:1,556,590 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 9:14:14 PM Ignore AKmailman Report Abuse and this relates to gas and vehicles how ?
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,214 Points:555,480 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 9:08:06 PM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse Hmm
Beaveronparade Champion Author Hartford Posts:2,102 Points:634,115 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:55:20 PM Ignore Beaveronparade Report Abuse Sounds interesting but more information is needed. Why would they not use it?
clermont40miles Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:10,562 Points:1,770,920 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:53:02 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:3,197 Points:789,235 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:49:15 PM Ignore Holly123 Report Abuse Let's explore it.
gass12 Champion Author Omaha Posts:8,384 Points:2,302,740 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:48:37 PM Ignore gass12 Report Abuse Sounds a bit wishy washy to me.
CVA19 Champion Author Salem Posts:2,393 Points:608,700 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:48:19 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:8,239 Points:1,684,225 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:46:26 PM Ignore FlyNFool Report Abuse Unused? Why?
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,799 Points:1,842,475 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:44:25 PM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse OK
Mr Tex All-Star Author Dallas Posts:868 Points:2,492,705 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:43:54 PM Ignore Mr Tex Report Abuse Better to dismantle dams than wait for them to break.
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:43:46 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:5,948 Points:1,713,195 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:40:50 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:436,515 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:35:51 PM Ignore pnivens Report Abuse We'll see.
GasFreeLeaf Champion Author Orange County Posts:1,242 Points:474,725 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:35:08 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 8:34:56 PM Ignore GenoAR Report Abuse Still won't help the consumer much.
orcar Champion Author Boise Posts:2,053 Points:776,790 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:32:58 PM Ignore orcar Report Abuse Nothing more than a maybe.
bar1035 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:9,150 Points:1,297,245 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:30:44 PM Ignore bar1035 Report Abuse anything not currently used will need transmission lines built - not cheap
carman11 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,332 Points:690,750 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:29:34 PM Ignore carman11 Report Abuse OK
DustyHorse Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,079 Points:1,390,785 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:26:28 PM Ignore DustyHorse Report Abuse Every little bit helps.
pinkelefant Champion Author Sacramento Posts:19,581 Points:2,659,630 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:24:29 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 8:23:53 PM Ignore catspaw Report Abuse So no need to worry about EVs drawing on the grid.
drobbbb Champion Author Maryland Posts:3,470 Points:811,260 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:23:31 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 8:21:53 PM Ignore pickledude72 Report Abuse ok
js0743 All-Star Author Georgia Posts:981 Points:457,880 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:20:34 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 8:20:08 PM Ignore Hoporrene Report Abuse ...
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,300 Points:1,636,970 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:19:27 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 8:18:54 PM Ignore themaninthehat Report Abuse Why?
tidalwave3 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:1,299 Points:1,462,650 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:18:50 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:5,984 Points:1,111,375 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:12:57 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse Wonder who will pay for this???
REVLAW Champion Author San Antonio Posts:10,430 Points:2,006,270 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:11:25 PM Ignore REVLAW Report Abuse So now another bureaucratic head pops up.
danlanman Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,327 Points:721,485 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:11:23 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 8:10:59 PM Ignore tippybuddy Report Abuse ok
paulp24 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:4,532 Points:821,350 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:10:55 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 8:10:26 PM Ignore eaglev Report Abuse We need to harness it if we can.
freedomsailor Champion Author Naples Posts:2,124 Points:409,695 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:08:57 PM Ignore freedomsailor Report Abuse Will need a very, very long extension cord for my car.
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,212 Points:871,865 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:08:14 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse Environmentalists never met a source of energy that they like.
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:8,278 Points:1,673,555 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:05:31 PM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse OK
dancygreen Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,058 Points:483,910 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:05:28 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 8:03:12 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 8:02:59 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:7,480 Points:1,556,550 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:02:38 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse Hydropower though it is non-polluting. It has its drawbacks.
gknee09 All-Star Author Philadelphia Posts:980 Points:821,915 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 8:00:33 PM Ignore gknee09 Report Abuse sounds promising