Small Hydropower

• 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.

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.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.