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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

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Message Posted: May 2, 2012 5:51:48 AM
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there are many untapped resources that can be utilitzed without destroying many areas of farming land. Just gotta think outside the box.
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GasFreeLeaf
Champion Author Orange County

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Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 9:23:11 PM
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Oil extraction to final consumer pumping is a major electric consumption industry. No electricity - No gas, it is that simple.
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melvindale
Champion Author Michigan

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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.
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geezrtek
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 9:00:42 AM
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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.
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MusicalMan7
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Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 4:33:26 AM
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@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...
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jrsva
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 11:34:48 PM
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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.
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wild3bill
Champion Author New York

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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 11:18:37 PM
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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
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jrsva
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 11:17:24 PM
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“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.
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AKmailman
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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 11:14:14 PM
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and this relates to gas and vehicles how ?
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Dodge_Me
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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 11:08:06 PM
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Hmm
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Beaveronparade
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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:55:20 PM
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Sounds interesting but more information is needed. Why would they not use it?
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clermont40miles
Champion Author Cincinnati

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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:53:02 PM
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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.
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Holly123
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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:49:15 PM
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Let's explore it.
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gass12
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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:48:37 PM
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Sounds a bit wishy washy to me.
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CVA19
Champion Author Salem

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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:48:19 PM
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"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!
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FlyNFool
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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:46:26 PM
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Unused? Why?
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WIPACKERFAN
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OK
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Mr Tex
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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:43:54 PM
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Better to dismantle dams than wait for them to break.
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dirt girl
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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:43:46 PM
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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. :(
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gmcgas
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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:40:50 PM
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well i guess we'll be paying out the wadzoo for electic when that happens.
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pnivens
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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:35:51 PM
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We'll see.
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GasFreeLeaf
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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:35:08 PM
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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.
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GenoAR
Veteran Author Arkansas

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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:34:56 PM
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Still won't help the consumer much.
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orcar
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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:32:58 PM
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Nothing more than a maybe.
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bar1035
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anything not currently used will need transmission lines built - not cheap
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carman11
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OK
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DustyHorse
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Every little bit helps.
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pinkelefant
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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:24:29 PM
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We need a new dam in Sacramento to dam up...
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catspaw
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So no need to worry about EVs drawing on the grid.
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drobbbb
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what is the start up cost
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pickledude72
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ok
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js0743
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Wow! I had no idea.ow
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Hoporrene
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...
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Blue48
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COOL!
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themaninthehat
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Why?
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tidalwave3
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It is cheaper to build than coal fire or nuclear power plantsand I belief a lot more enduring :)
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us4usa
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Wonder who will pay for this???
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REVLAW
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So now another bureaucratic head pops up.
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danlanman
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let's us it
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tippybuddy
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ok
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paulp24
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Ok
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eaglev
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We need to harness it if we can.
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freedomsailor
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Will need a very, very long extension cord for my car.
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suzmar
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Environmentalists never met a source of energy that they like.
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Lukus
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OK
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dancygreen
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Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 10:05:28 PM
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why haven't these dams been generating power all along?
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w9med
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Have to do something. I don't want to live in a cave
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Potential is the key word and it's only a word. No action on anyones part.
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alterman156
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Hydropower though it is non-polluting. It has its drawbacks.
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gknee09
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sounds promising
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