KC3: Hydropower Rough Draft

About 90 percent of Hawaii's energy comes from imported oil. Hawaii is the only place that depends so much on the United States for imported oil. Hawaii can't rely on other states for oil that the U.S states can. Hawaii's future is depended so much on imported oil. Although Hawaii may be so reliable on the U.S it is blessed with lots of sunshine, strong winds, fast growing crops, flowing streams, geothermal heat, waves, and both warm and cold waters. We can use all these RENEWABLE RESOURCES to help produce energy and decrease the number of imported oil that comes from the Mainland.

Hawaii is so determined to find new ways to take advantage of all their renewable resources. If we use each renewable resource it helps decrease the chances of Global Warming by reducing air pollution. Every barrel of oil or ton of coal replaced with these renewable resources can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that is exposed to the atmosphere. The state is taking a giant and smart step in actively supporting the development of a mix of renewable resources including Hydro power.

Hydropower uses the energy in flowing water to make electricity or to handle machinery. The force of falling water or flowing streams spins a turbine. A water turbine is much like a windmill except to use the turbine its poawered by water instead of wind. The turbine turns a generator that changes mechanical energy into electricty.

Hydropower plants have played a role in Hawaii for many decades, going from operating sugar mills to producing electricity for many utilities in Hawaii. It has been used to produce electricity for more than 100 years. The Wailuku River Hydroelectric Power Company plant is the largest in the state of Hawaii and began in May 1993. Taking about five miles of land, $30 million to plan and build, this power plant took 5 years to construct. It generates about 34 million kWh of electrical energy annually. Thats enough to supply 5,000 homes and replace 55,000 barrels of imported oil.