LIGHT READING INLAND POWER AND LIGHT inlandpower.com
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Hydropower Flows Here As a resident of the Pacific Northwest, you enjoy the benefits of hydropower without even realizing it. The iconic rivers of the region are our primary source of clean, reliable and affordable energy. The next time you turn on the light switch, make a pot of coffee or charge your phone, know that “Hydropower Flows Here!” “Hydropower Flows Here” is a new awareness campaign by Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and its regional power customers, such as Inland Power. The awareness campaign is intended to showcase the various attributes of this renewable, clean, reliable source of electricity that powers nearly 60 percent of the Pacific Northwest’s homes and businesses and what it means to all of us. The rivers of the northwest are not only icons of the region’s natural beauty, but also a constant supply of energy. Rain and snow feed the water cycle, providing a renewable resource to meet the energy demands of millions, while seamlessly integrating other renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Just as the river is always flowing, hydroelectric dams have the ability to constantly generate electricity. Hydroelectric generators can respond to increased power demands at any time of the day or night, and in any given weather condition regardless of wind or sunshine. In addition to clean energy, hydropower benefits the Pacific Northwest in several ways, from the reasonable rates on the electric bills of residents and businesses (see how Inland’s rates compare on back side of this newsletter), to the benefits of job creation, new business development, recreation opportunities and increased agricultural production. There are a multitude of benefits of hydropower including the following:
Hydropower is clean. Hydropower produces no emissions. There are no gases or waste products that contribute to air pollution. Hydropower is secure. Water from our rivers is largely a domestic resource that is not subject to disruptions from foreign suppliers, cost fluctuations in power markets, international political crises or transportation issues.
Did You Know? Without hydropower, the United States would have to burn an additional 121 million tons of coal, 27 million barrels of oil and 741 billion cubic feet of
Hydropower is flexible. By adjusting the amount of water flowing through the dams, hydropower can be increased or decreased very quickly to meet changes in demand for power. This meets a fundamental requirement of all electric grids, which is that demand must exactly match supply at all times to keep the power flowing and stable. Hydropower allows for the growth of other renewable resources. Hydropower is a great “back-up” for wind and solar power— for example it can be ramped up to meet demand when the wind is not blowing or dialed down in times of high winds.
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Hydropower is renewable. Each year, rain and snow replenish the supply. It is our nation’s most abundant source of renewable energy. Hydropower is efficient. Hydropower plants at dams convert about 90 percent of the energy in flowing water into electrical energy. By comparison, fossil-fueled plants lose more than half of the energy content of their fuel as waste heat and gases.
Hydropower is affordable. This is because the “fuel” — water — is relatively free, which keeps operating costs low and protects against fluctuations in fuel prices. Over the years, the dams have consistently provided some of the nation’s most affordable electricity. States that get the majority of their electricity from hydropower — like Idaho, Washington and Oregon — have lower energy bills than the rest of the country.
i n land powe r is my coope rat ive