Student Independent Projects Sustainable resource Management 2015: Public Perception of Hydroelectric Power and the Suitability of Small-Scale Generation as an Alternate Power Source in Newfoundland and Labrador

Scott, Sarah (2015) Student Independent Projects Sustainable resource Management 2015: Public Perception of Hydroelectric Power and the Suitability of Small-Scale Generation as an Alternate Power Source in Newfoundland and Labrador. Research Report. Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Hydroelectricity started with the wooden waterwheel and various types of waterwheels have been used in Europe and China for approximately 2000 years (Paish, 2002). The technique to use water to generate electricity was nearly perfected during the Industrial Revolution with efficiencies approaching 70% in many thousands of waterwheels in use (Paish, 2002). Improved engineering skills in the 19th century led to the development of modern-day turbines. The first hydro-turbine was created in France in the 1820s and this led to many waterwheels being replaced by turbines, as many people were thinking of how to exploit hydropower for large-scale generation of electricity (Paish, 2002). The golden age of hydropower was during the first half of the 20th century before oil became the main source of energy for most of the modern world. The development of hydropower in the 20th century was usually associated with the building of large dams. These dams while providing a major reliable power source and flood control benefits, flooded large areas of fertile land and displaced many thousands of inhabitants in the surrounding areas (Paish, 2002

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