Wind and HEP

Wind and HEP

1. Problems with HEP (hydro electric power )

   • Hydropower facilities can have large environmental impacts by changing the environment and affecting land use, homes, and natural habitats in the dam area.
   • Segments of the river downstream from the reservoir can dry out.
   • Reservoir water is typically low in dissolved oxygen and colder than normal river water.
     • It could have negative impacts on downstream plants and animals.
   • hydroelectric power. noun. a form of energy generated by the conversion of free-falling water to electricity; the generation of electricity by using the motive power of water; also called hydroelectricity. Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon.
   • Modern hydro turbines can convert as much as 90% of the available energy into electricity. The best fossil fuel plants are only about 50% efficient. In the U.S., hydropower is produced for an average of 0.85 cents per kilowatt-hour (kwh).

2. challenges of wind power

   • Wind power must still compete with conventional generation sources on a cost basis. Depending on how energetic a wind site is, the wind farm might not be cost competitive. Even though the cost of wind power has decreased dramatically in the past 10 years,
   • Turbines might cause noise and aesthetic pollution.
   • Turbine blades could damage local wildlife. Birds have been killed by flying into spinning turbine blades.

3. Definition

   • power obtained by harnessing the energy of the wind.

4. Wind power opportunities.

   • The Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) focuses on technological development to improve the reliability and affordability of wind energy and addressing barriers to wind energy deployment. WETO funds research and development activities through competitive solicitations.
   • Although WETO attempts to maintain current information on these solicitations, the official source for funding information is FedConnect. If inconsistencies exist between this site and FedConnect, FedConnect should be considered correct. There currently are no funding opportunities.
   • WETO does not fund the purchase or installation of wind energy systems by individuals or companies. For information on federal grants and tax incentives for the purchase and operation of wind energy systems, please see the Related Opportunities page.