Geology News
Hydropower Current Events

The SWITCH project has an enormous collection of energy videos on a wide variety of topics. Check them out here.

In the video below, Dr. Steve Koonin, U.S. Undersecretary of Energy discusses the reasons why the pace of making energy change can be very slow.

An article on the FuelFix.com website explores the difference between energy independence and energy security. The argument is made that energy security is more important.

Did you know that about 85% of the electricity production in the state of Washington is at hydroelectric plants?

Fossil fuels play an enormous role in Australia’s economy. However, their roles will change significantly with new carbon taxes and a goal of cutting emissions to 80% below 2000 levels by 2050.

The amount of energy being produced from renewable sources in the United States is rising rapidly; however, it still meets less than 10% of our energy consumption.

“Canada is a net exporter of most energy commodities and is an especially significant producer of conventional and unconventional oil, natural gas, and hydroelectricity. It stands out as the largest foreign supplier of energy to the United States [...]. Just as the United States depends on Canada for much of its energy needs, so is Canada profoundly dependent on the United States as an export market. Quoted from the Energy Information Administration country report.

“The importance of hydropower as a source of electricity generation varies by geographic region. While hydropower accounted for 8% of total U.S. electricity generation in 2011, it provided over half of the electricity in the Pacific Northwest. Because hydroelectric generation relies on precipitation, it varies widely from month to month and year to year.” Quoted from the Energy Information Administration article.

“China is the world’s most populous country and has a rapidly growing economy, which has driven the country’s high overall energy demand and the quest for securing energy resources. [...] China is the world’s second largest oil consumer behind the United States, and the largest global energy consumer.” Quoted from the Energy Information Administration.

“The Seneca Pumped Storage Generating Station in northwest Pennsylvania takes advantage of the local topography by filling a reservoir at a higher elevation than the dam below. The facility can be operated purely as a 435-MW hydroelectric power plant, generating power to supply demand for electricity, or as a pumped storage facility, providing energy management and load leveling services while taking advantage of differences in the wholesale price of electricity over the course of the day or the week.” Quoted from the Energy Information Administration.

Landslide hazards may cause the Chinese government to relocate 100,000 people near the Three Gorges Dam. Landslides on the banks of the reservoir have increased dramatically since it was filled to its operating capacity in 2010.

“The importance of hydropower as a source of electricity generation varies by geographic region. While hydropower accounted for 6% of total U.S. electricity generation in 2010, it provided over half of the electricity in the Pacific Northwest.” Quote from the Energy Information Administration article.

T. Boone Pickens says that he is for American energy and makes a pitch for energy independence.

An article on the Bloomberg.com website explores how the United States is starting to approach energy self-sufficiency with rising oil output, developing shale gas fields and growth in renewable sources.

“U.S. communities routinely use zoning laws to control where businesses may operate in a neighborhood. Now there’s a move to zone the ocean. A number of coastal states and the federal government have fledgling plans to coordinate competing uses for their off-shore waters.” Quoted from Voice of America.