Small Hydropower
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Provided by: Project Drawdown|Published on: September 28, 2023
Articles/WebsitesScientist Reviewed
9101112AP
Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This resource is currently being revised by Project Drawdown but you can research many of the other solutions in detail on their new Drawdown Explorer page.
- This article explores small, in-stream hydropower as a climate solution, how this power source differs from large hydroelectric dams, and the emissions reductions and financial benefits of increasing small hydropower.
- Students will learn about the feasibility of this solution, the economic investment required, the economic savings after they are installed, and the benefits to nature and the climate when carefully designed projects are implemented.
Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering
Authors: Project Drawdown
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The article is in the format of a scientific paper but is brief and approachable.
- The adoption scenarios in this article are precise and thoughtfully crafted, and some of the rationale behind the creation of these scenarios are provided.
Additional Prerequisites
- The first link in the References section works but the other three are broken.
- If you click a link in this article you won't be taken to a new tab.
- Students should have a basic understanding of how most power plants create energy using turbines and basics about climate change and greenhouse gases.
Differentiation
- Students can use this article for an informative essay on different types of renewable energy.
- Students can read this article at home to prepare for an in-class discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of hydropower and the amount of hydropower in America's electric grid.
- Students can compare this solution to others involving renewable energy from Project Drawdown's Table of Solutions.
- Students with low reading stamina can be placed in groups, with each group member responsible for a different section of the article. Students can then come together with their group members, each giving the key details from their section. The teacher can also listen to these "teaching" portions of group discussions as a formative assessment.
- Some students, especially those who are new to reading scientific articles, may benefit from guided notes or a graphic organizer to assist with comprehension as they read this article.
Scientist Notes
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Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Project Drawdown
Project Drawdown is a nonprofit organization that seeks to help the world reach “drawdown”—the future point in time when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline. Cities, universities, corporations, philanthropies, policymakers, communities, educators, activists, and more turn to Project Drawdown as they look to advance effective climate action. Project Drawdown resources for educators include the database of Drawdown Solutions, educational video series Climate Solutions 101, the Drawdown Stories initiative, and more.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
