Submitted by InterestedReader on July 7, 2007 - 1:07pm.
I have been thinking more about the problem of dams and what purpose they serve and have arrived at the conclusion that they can and should be replaced as much as possible by using the combined action of free hydro current devices on rivers and oceans. By using them this way, dependency upon dams can be reduced.
More energy can be extracted from free flow river water per unit volume when it is flowing than with the same volume of water when it is brought to a stop in dams. This fact has been proven. The problem is lack of water during times of drought. Yet, lack of water during times of drought would not be problematic if free flow power from rivers and oceans could be integrated. Ocean currents are stable compared to river currents and could be used to even out power requirements.
We should change our thinking on this matter. Nations such as China and India are sorely in need of additional gigawatts and have planned the construction of thousands of dams in the next decade but this is not the answer to the problem as the dams themselves lead to undesirable consequences. We need to get back to nature by repair of our river system. This can be accomplished by developing and integrating power obtained by free hydro from rivers and ocean currents combined.
Combined free hydro for rivers and oceans.
I have been thinking more about the problem of dams and what purpose they serve and have arrived at the conclusion that they can and should be replaced as much as possible by using the combined action of free hydro current devices on rivers and oceans. By using them this way, dependency upon dams can be reduced.
More energy can be extracted from free flow river water per unit volume when it is flowing than with the same volume of water when it is brought to a stop in dams. This fact has been proven. The problem is lack of water during times of drought. Yet, lack of water during times of drought would not be problematic if free flow power from rivers and oceans could be integrated. Ocean currents are stable compared to river currents and could be used to even out power requirements.
We should change our thinking on this matter. Nations such as China and India are sorely in need of additional gigawatts and have planned the construction of thousands of dams in the next decade but this is not the answer to the problem as the dams themselves lead to undesirable consequences. We need to get back to nature by repair of our river system. This can be accomplished by developing and integrating power obtained by free hydro from rivers and ocean currents combined.
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