Exploring Hydropower
Water Cycle
Gravitational Energy
Harnessing Water Power
The NEED Project 2014
World’s First Hydropower Plant
Top Hydropower Producing States
2012 (thousand megawatt hours)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Washington 89,464
Oregon 39,410
California 26,837
New York 24,652
Montana 11,283
Other major hydropower producing states include
Idaho, Tennessee, Arizona, Alabama, and South
Dakota. They all produce over 5,000 Mwh
annually.
Hydroelectric Generation by Country
Billion kilowatt-hours
China
Canada
Brazil
United States
Russia
2013
India
Norway
2012
Venezuela
2011
Japan
France
0
Data: EIA
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
U.S. Electricity Production 2013
Wind Solar
Biomass4.13% 0.23%
1.48%
Nuclear
19.44%
Petroleum GeothermalOther
0.66%
0.41% 0.61%
Natural Gas
27.44%
Hydroelectric
6.52%
Coal
39.08%
Data provided by US EIA Net Generation by Energy Source
The NEED Project 2014
The NEED Project 2014
The NEED Project 2014
Advantages
 Renewable Energy
 Clean Energy Source
 Domestic Energy
Source
 Generally Available
As Needed
 Provides Recreational
Opportunities
 Water Supply and
Flood Control
Power Plant Efficiency
Coal vs. Hydro Kinetic Energy Conversion
35%
95%
Possible Environmental Impacts
 Fish Population
 Quality and Flow of Water
 Ecosystems of Rivers and
Streams
Other Disadvantages
 Drought
 Impact on Local Environment
and Land Use
 Preservation Concerns
For More Information
The NEED Project
www.need.org
info@need.org
1-800-875-5029
Energy Information Administration
U.S. Department of Energy
www.eia.gov
The NEED Project 2014
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All NEED schools have outstanding classroom-based programs in which students
learn about energy. Does your school have student leaders who extend these
activities into their communities? To recognize outstanding achievement and reward
student leadership, The NEED Project conducts the National Youth Awards Program
for Energy Achievement.
What’s involved?
Students and teachers set goals and objectives, and keep a record of their activities.
Students create a digital project to submit for judging. In April, digital projects should
be uploaded to the online submission site.
Want more info? Check out www.NEED.org/Youth-Awards for more application and
program information, previous winners, and photos of past events.