GEOM 5903 Seminar: Sarah Scott
21 November, 2016
GEOM 5903 seminar: Sarah Scott
Title: "Green vs. Gas: Do the "green" benefits of hydroelectric energy outweigh the greenhouse gas emissions which it generates?"
Location: Huggins Science Hall, Room 336, 12:30 p.m.
Abstract:
Hydroelectricity as a source of energy is not without its challenges. Controversy exists over whether hydro power is in fact a "green" source of energy, as evidence suggests that it might not be exactly the case. Established benefits of hydroelectricity as a renewable resource includes the production of no waste products or pollutants, and it allows a supplementation of energy generated from fossil fuels as hydro power can be scheduled when demand is high. Now that these systems have been in place for an extended period of time, evidence suggests that the anaerobic decomposition of biomass in the hydroelectric reservoirs produce greenhouse gases that can be emitted through normal cycles. The decommissioning of hydroelectric dams has also been known to release around three times as much greenhouse gas as the initial construction of the dam, including the gas methane, which is more powerful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide in terms of global warming potential. When taking these factors into consideration, it needs to be determined whether or not hydroelectricity is the optimal solution for energy generation.