SCI 219 6-1 Discussion Meeting Your Future Energy Needs
Ashley Allen
Southern New Hampshire University
While I don't believe that a single diesel generator can be deemed the finest for all regions, if I
had to pick one, hydroelectric energy would be my choice. This is thus because 71% of the
earth's surface is water, making hydroelectric energy a renewable resource. Solar and wind
energy are additional beneficial energy sources. Nevertheless, variations in the atmosphere,
latitude, and season affect the sun's energy (Wright, R. T. & Boorse, D. F., 2017). Due to changes
in wind intensity, wind energy is also a variable source. Hydropower is one of the most plentiful
renewable energy sources currently accessible, and some hydropower stations have been in
operation for more than a century (EIA, 2020). Dams provide water for flood control and
agricultural irrigation, while the reservoirs they are built on provide areas for recreation.
Moreover, water may be stored in pumped storage power plants at times of low demand so that it
is ready to be released during times of high need and provide enough electricity. The building of
reservoirs for hydroelectric power plants has significant negative effects on the environment. For
instance, if woods, agricultural fields, and wildlife habitats are destroyed in the vicinity of a
proposed reservoir (EIA, 2020).
References:
EIA. (2020, April 9). Hydropower and the environment. U.S. Energy Information Administration
(EIA). Retrieved February 9, 2023, from
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/hydropower/hydropower-and-
theenvironment.php
Wright, R. T. & Boorse, D. F. (2017). Environmental Science - Towards a Sustainable Future.
(13th ed.) Pearson Education, Inc.
