Hydro-Conservation

Hydroelectric dams provide as much as 96 percent of the renewable energy produced in the United States (BOR, 2005).  Since hydroelectric dams produce their own usable electrical power, and because they do not burn fuel for operation, they do not pollute the air.  In fact, hydroelectric plants “are the most effective means of producing electric energy” (2005) and they produce the energy equivalent of 72 million barrels of oil each year.

Recent efforts have been focused on environmental conservation to minimize adverse effects on fish migration and other natural resources.  The Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, and many municipalities producing hydro power are focusing efforts on safely migrating fish through special passages or systems.  They are also rehabilitating cranes in preparation for uprating existing hydroelectric generator and turbine units.

For the Bureau of Reclamation, an aggressive uprating effort increased capacity by more than 1.6 million kW, according to a 2005 report.  K&N has a long history of partnering with the federal, state, and local government in an effort to support these conservation and clean energy goals.  Our crane rehabilitation upgrades make it possible to safely and efficiently fulfill uprating goals and our ability to design and build specialized cranes aid efforts to provide fish with a safe passage for their natural migration patterns.

To learn how you can partner with a company that cares as much about the environment as you do, contact K&N at 509-838-8000, or use our contact page here.

 

REFERENCES:

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (2005), Managing Water in the West: Hydroelectric Power. Retrieved from http://www.usbr.gov/power/edu/pamphlet.pdf