Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Looking Ahead
The dangers and problems associated
with water power are real. Scientists
around the world are working to solve
these problems. Some of the problems may
never be totally i xed. No source of electricity is
completely harmless and free of all problems. The goal is to
make water power as safe as possible.
The dangers of large dams have led some people to oppose
the building of new ones. Because of the concerns about those
dams, the number of new ones will likely fall, though small
“micro dams” may be built in greater numbers. These dams
sit on small rivers and provide power to small communities.
They have fewer harmful effects than large dams. Hydropower
will still be used to create electricity. In the future, though,
companies and governments will probably do more research on
the other forms of water power. Tidal and wave energy seem to
be the most likely sources.
Researchers know some people have concerns about the
turbines used to create tidal and wave power. One way to
prevent possible harm is to use turbines that move very slowly.
In 2008, the world's largest tidal turbine began working off the
coast of Ireland. The huge blades on the turbine spin slowly—
between 10 and 15 times in one minute. The propellers on a
ship spin about 10 times faster. Fish have time to avoid the
spinning blades. Since the turbine does not move, the i sh can
