Nova Potência Rio
Deer Creek Middle School
Fueling Nova Potência Rio’s Future
Picture yourself living in the perfect city. This is a reality for the citizens of Nova
Potência Rio in the year 2199. Our city lies along the banks of the Amazon River in the northern
state of Para, Brazil. Nova Potência Rio was once known as Belem before its name was changed
after the flood of 2027.
Nova Potência Rio is energy-efficient and then some. We use highly innovative
technologies in our electric-power system infrastructure in two important ways: producing clean,
renewable energy and transmitting it to our community. This power system makes our city
earth-friendly and green.
The majority of Nova Potência Rio’s power is
Graph of Solar and
Hydroelectric (Hydro) Energy Usage
harnessed using the kinetic energy of falling
water. This is fitting for the city since a large
100.00%
90.00%
tributary of the Amazon River runs right by our
80.00%
metropolis, giving us easy access to one of the
70.00%
world’s largest sources of hydroelectric power.
Another green power generation method
used to provide energy for Nova Potência Rio is
Solar
Power
Hydro
Power
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
solar energy. Today, solar accounts for 3.75% of
10.00%
0.00%
our energy, compared to our main source,
2027 2052 2077 2102 2127 2152 2177 2199
hydroelectricity, which produces 96.25%. But
this was not always the case. Right after the flood of 2027, hydropower provided 61% of our
energy, compared to solar power’s 39%.
Since it was founded, Nova Potência Rio’s energy
dependence has steadily shifted to hydropower and away from solar power. (see chart)
Nova Potência Rio
Deer Creek Middle School
Hydroelectric power is created using
flowing water. This resource begins as
gravitational potential energy associated with the
height difference of water in front of and behind
the dam. Potential energy is then transformed into
kinetic energy as water moves downhill. Kinetic
energy is harnessed through the rotational kinetic
energy of the turbine. The rotation of the turbine
spins the magnets inside the generator, which
produce electricity.
Hydroelectric power is particularly beneficial to a crowded city like Nova Potência Rio.
The large amounts of reliable energy we produce do not pollute the air because water is a clean,
renewable resource and this is saving our citizens from many of the issues that plague residents
of other cities. The only pollution from our power generation takes place in the construction and
disposal of production facilities.
Although the numerous benefits of hydroelectric power definitely outweigh the risks,
hazards remain. After a major flood destroyed the previous city of Belem, the engineers and
architects of Nova Potencia Rio built our current dam which is now generating power for our
city. However, this dam created a lake, causing the necessary displacement of some homes. As
a result, some new high-rise living complexes were engineered to accommodate those forced to
relocate. These homes were built at a relatively low price.
Other risks accompanying this type of power are cost and safety. Generating
hydroelectric power is inexpensive once the systems for producing it are built, but these facilities
Nova Potência Rio
Deer Creek Middle School
can be expensive initially. Safety is an issue as well; there are large amounts of running water as
well as large moving parts involved. Also, hydroelectric dams aren't very attractive looking, but
do provide clean, efficient electricity.
Power production affects the environment by damming the flow of the river, but
environmental engineers worked with our electrical engineers to find a balance between letting
the river flow as naturally as possible while still being efficient. Our green power is produced
according to an environmental plan so the effects on Nova Potência Rio’s natural resources and
environment are minimal. Specialized mechanical, architectural, civil and electrical engineers
worked together in designing our hydroelectric and solar power plants to be as green and
effective as possible.
Solar energy works through harnessing
the sun to create electricity. Solar panels are
made out of semiconductors. These
semiconductors are treated so that when
photons from the sun hit them, the electrons
break free and move to the bottom or side of the
panel. From there, they travel through superconductive wires as electricity and on to the
transmission platforms (where transmission begins).
Electricity is transmitted to homes through a wireless process; a technology used in the
past with wireless charger pads for phones and other electronics. In 1899, Nikola Tesla
transmitted power this way in Colorado Springs. In this test, he managed to power two hundred
light bulbs and one electric motor from 26 miles away. Wireless transmission of energy works
through a rather simple process. Power is produced, and it travels to the transmission platforms
Nova Potência Rio
Deer Creek Middle School
through superconductive wires.
Platforms are essentially magnets engineered by electrical engineers to convert electricity
into waves and send them to receiver platforms. These are the smaller magnet platforms that the
citizens of Nova Potência Rio use. Platforms receive the waves and convert them back into
electrical energy. This transmission system prevents the need for unsightly power lines above
ground or disrupting the ground with underground power lines. The extra power Nova Potência
Rio produces is sold to nearby cities. Nova Potência Rio also provides benefits, like tax breaks,
for our most energy-efficient citizens. We use also use structured pricing to further encourage
wise energy usage.
Hydroelectric power is an innovative, effective, and intelligent choice for the energy
needs of Nova Potência Rio. It is plausible, operationally sound (based on scientific principles),
and effective because of the location of the city. The risks of safety, cost, and environmental
effect are well accounted for with tight regulations, strategic placement of the dam as well as a
minimized effect on the ecosystem. Nova Potência Rio’s previous dependence on fossil fuels is
gone, thanks to our engineers. Their hard work to provide us with clean, renewable hydroelectric
power has paid off. As more cities like Nova Potência Rio take steps towards creating a more
environmentally friendly planet through the use of greener energy, our future will be fueled with
long-lasting sustainable resources.
Word Count: 952
Nova Potência Rio
Deer Creek Middle School
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Nova Potência Rio
Deer Creek Middle School
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