Small Hydroelectric

The high capital cost and environmental and social impact of large hydroelectric power plants (large dams) have made small hydroelectric power (SHP) an attractive alternative in recent years. Rather than building huge dams with lakes behind them that submerge entire towns or beautiful rivers and canyons, some countries have opted to generate electricity using small hydroelectric power plants. Switzerland has used the power of melting snow running off the Alps for years. According to a UNESCO survey conducted in China, about 800 of its 2,300 counties can be electrified using SHP and the government is giving preferential loans and tax exemptions to SHP developers.

Other countries are giving assistance for the development of small hydroelectric power. In Nepal, the government is providing loans and materials to SHP equipment manufacturers, and in Pakistan, the Ministry of Science and Technology has subsidized SHP construction. Similar efforts are occurring in the Andean region of Latin America and in Canada. All of these places are especially suited for small hydroelectric power generation because they have high mountain ranges. As the engineering and equipment required for SHP become more widespread, other countries with mountains and rivers should be able to take advantage of this clean source of electricity.

Questions to be answered in writing:

1. Why did SHP become an attractive alternative to large hydroelectric power plants?

2. How do the governments of different countries further (contribute to) the development of SHP?

3. Give an example (taken from the text or yours) of widespreading SHP?

4. Where the construction of SHP is more advantageous?

Wind energy

The use of wind energy is growing faster than any other type of renewable energy because of improvements in wind turbine technology over the past 20 years. The best locations for wind as an energy source are coasts, mountains, and plains. Like solar rays, wind is also a form of intermittent renewable energy, available only about 30 percent of the time. Often, when the sun isn’t shining, the wind is blowing; so many users rely on wind turbines to complement solar panels.

Most of the world’s wind generation capacity is located in the United States, Denmark (the pioneer in wind generation), the Netherlands (famous for its use of windmills), Germany, and India. While wind generation of electricity is clean, some disadvantages include the noise of the blades of windmills and the appearance. A large wind farm on a hillside is clearly visible, in the same way that large arrays of solar panels are. People who rely on wind-generated electricity, however, may not mind the view of clean energy being created.

Questions to be answered in writing:

5. Why is the use of wind energy growing faster than other types of renewable energy?

2. What are the best locations for its using?

3. Where are most wind generation capacities located (in the world)?

4. What are the disadvantages of using the wind energy?

Bicycle

It is an indisputable fact that bicycles are an inexpensive and efficient means of personal transportation, especially for short trips and in densely populated areas. One example of a bicycling country is China. Decades ago, with a policy of mass producing inexpensive bicycles and building infrastructure for non-motorized traffic, Chinese authorities deliberately set out to provide affordable transportation to citizens. Today China has a higher number of bicycles per capita and a higher percentage of daily trips made by bicycle than any other country.

The bicycle is a marvel of fuel efficiency. In terms of energy expended and distance covered, traveling by bicycle is far more economical than traveling by horse, motorcycle, or car, and even more economical than walking or running. Of course, the fuel of bicycle riders is the food they eat. An average cyclist can cover approximately five kilometers on 100 calories, the number of calories in a banana. One hundred calories’ worth of gasoline could take a light-weight car only 100 meters. In addition, to being incredibly fuel efficient, bicycles are environmentally friendly in other ways. For example, they generate no air or noise pollution and do not require huge paved roads or parking lots.

Cycling is not only good for the environment; it’s good for the rider. Riding a bike can provide an excellent physical workout. It exercises the major muscle groups (back and legs), increases cardiovascular fitness (heart and lungs), and improves blood circulation. It can provide these health benefits without intense straining or profuse sweating, and without the pounding of joints and risk of injury found in sports such as tennis, basketball, soccer, and running. The development of comfortable and lightweight bicycle helmets over the past 20 years has made the sport even safer.

Questions to be answered in writing:

1. What are the advantages of a bicycle as a mean of transportation?

2. What may be considered as a fuel for bicycle?

3. Why cycling is good for the environment and rider?

4. What makes the cycling safer?

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