Exploring Hydropower

Water Cycle

Gravitational Energy

Harnessing Water Power

The NEED Project 2014

World’s First Hydropower Plant

Top Hydropower Producing States

1. Washington 89,4642. Oregon 39,4103. California 26,8374. New York 24,6525. Montana 11,283

Other major hydropower producing states include Idaho, Tennessee, Arizona, Alabama, and South Dakota. They all produce over 5,000 Mwh annually.

2012 (thousand megawatt hours)

Hydroelectric Generation by CountryBillion kilowatt-hours

Data: EIA

France

Japan

Venezuela

Norway

India

Russia

United States

Brazil

Canada

China

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000

2013

2012

2011

U.S. Electricity Production 2013

Data provided by US EIA Net Generation by Energy Source

Natural Gas27.44%

Coal39.08%

Hydroelectric 6.52%

Nuclear19.44%

Biomass1.48%

Wind4.13%

Petroleum0.66%

Solar0.23%

Geothermal0.41%

Other0.61%

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 Projectwww.need.org

info@need.org1-800-875-5029

Energy Information AdministrationU.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.