The U.S. Got More Electricity From Renewables Than Coal For The First Time

[Sofia + 35]

Renewable energy production surpassed coal-fired generation for the first time in the U.S., according to the latest figures from the U.S. EIA. Sources like wind and solar energy provided 23 percent of America’s electricity in April, compared to 20 percent from coal. 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/renewable-energy-electricity-surpasses-coal-in-us-for-the-first-time/ 

 

[Douglas Buckland + 6,308]

Can somebody tell me why the issue of 'silting up' behind dams for hydro-electric power is never mentioned anymore?

Has a 'fix' been discovered?

[NickW + 2,714]

On 6/28/2019 at 2:52 AM, Douglas Buckland said:

Can somebody tell me why the issue of 'silting up' behind dams for hydro-electric power is never mentioned anymore?

Has a 'fix' been discovered?

Dredging. 

 

[Douglas Buckland + 6,308]

Seriously?

What are you going to do with the dredged silt?

[Douglas Buckland + 6,308]

5 hours ago, NickW said:

Dredging. 

 

https://www.scientificbulletin.upb.ro/rev_docs_arhiva/full3f0_572892.pdf

so I'm assuming long term hydroelectric projects are not free and are only 'renewable' with significant human intervention.

[NickW + 2,714]

7 hours ago, Douglas Buckland said:

Seriously?

What are you going to do with the dredged silt?

Spread it on fields, land reclamation*

* Mudchute London 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudchute_Park_and_Farm

[NickW + 2,714]

6 hours ago, Douglas Buckland said:

https://www.scientificbulletin.upb.ro/rev_docs_arhiva/full3f0_572892.pdf

so I'm assuming long term hydroelectric projects are not free and are only 'renewable' with significant human intervention.

Well yes - I am not aware that hydroelectric dams, or indeed wind turbines or solar panels self replicate and maintain themselves - this does require human intervention. 

The 'renewable' bit comes from the premise that the fuel source is renewable not finite. 

[Douglas Buckland + 6,308]

Perhaps you are correct. The difference between solar, wind and hydro is that your energy source with hydro causes it's own demise. Without human intervention the fuel source would defeat itself by carrying silt to the reservoir. Theoretically solar and wind do not have this issue. You are not spending money to ensure the fuel source.

As you say, the equipment and machinery required to turn any renewable energy source into electricity will need to be serviced and maintained.

[Douglas Buckland + 6,308]

4 hours ago, NickW said:

Spread it on fields, land reclamation*

* Mudchute London 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudchute_Park_and_Farm

http://theconversation.com/hydropower-dams-can-harm-coastal-areas-far-downstream-114171

[NickW + 2,714]

7 hours ago, Douglas Buckland said:

http://theconversation.com/hydropower-dams-can-harm-coastal-areas-far-downstream-114171

No one claims Hydro Electric dams are without some consequences but the issues can be managed and are covered in that article. 

[Bill the Science Nerd + 73]

Nice. It looks like market forces are kicking in to kick fossil fuels to the curb.