Pros And Cons Of Hydroelectric Energy

Energy resources have had a widespread effect on everyday lives across the nation. Day by day from sunup to sundown about 30 percent of the world's energy is being used by the United States. Ideally energy comes from the burning of fossil fuels and oils imported from across the globe. However, there has been various disputes on how the United States could find alternative energy sources for widespread use. Alternative energy is any form of energy used that is not fossil fuel that come from energy sources that can be replenished in a short period of time. Such as, hydroelectric and nuclear energy which has sparked several controversial arguments to be used for alternative energy sources in America. Even though, each resource has its pros and …show more content…
Hydroelectric energy is the process in which transferring the kinetic energy of flowing water into electricity using a turbine. In like manner, hydroelectric energy is very efficient the energy turbines used can convert about 90 percent of its stored energy into electricity. Recently, there has been ideas of using hydroelectric energy to produce energy on a widespread basis. In, doing so hydroelectric power plants are essential which could cost the U.S millions of dollars which is pricey yet, a positive in terms of the amount of money the U.S spends for its current source of energy yet, that is only one of the benefits hydroelectric energy has. With it being very efficient and inexpensive it is also a source of energy that there is an abundance of meaning that, it would be rare for hydroelectric energy to run out. In addition, hydropower is also pro global warming by being hydro powered the energy source does not contribute to the effects of pollution on the greenhouse effect. Although hydroelectric energy is a process in which you would need to use water and a great deal of it so, to even build the energy plant you would need to build a dam which also calls for lots of land. Which, could cause controversy in terms of how much wildlife and nearby homes would be affected by the building of the plant. Now, hydroelectric energy plants are only ideas that can be used going forward for now …show more content…
Nuclear power is not the most efficient use of energy with only 2 percent of the nuclear energy being converted into electricity so, the other 98 percent of energy is being wasted. Even though, nuclear plants have become more an more popular around the world they are very expensive. If the United States decided to invest in nuclear plants it would cost billions of dollars considering all the equipment needed due to the abundance of radioactivity. Although, nuclear plants sound like an idea that can be highly contentious it has its benefits. A nuclear plant does not require much land needed to build also, some may not know that nuclear energy does not contribute to air pollution so it’s pro global warming. Another benefit is that nuclear power produces lots of amount of energy the 2 percents that is converted to electricity is more than the 50 percent of energy that is converted to electricity by using fossil fuels. On the other hand, nuclear energy can cause damage to the environment by releasing great amounts of radioactive waste. Not to mention, nuclear energy is not limitless the uranium used can runout just like fossil fuels. Also, nuclear accidents can cause lots of damage to the environment can even be fatal to nearby residents in extreme cases. Since, 2014 nuclear power plants have been a growing