When we discuss coal and nuclear power plants, the issue is whether they'll run at all. Coal power requires 1-3 trainloads a day, a tall order if lots of things are failing, and nukes requires long-term stable operation with no hitches, another tall order. With water power, though, the "engine" is running no matter what. I'm sure there are computer issues at hyro plants, too, but at least we don't have to worry about the water stopping. I'm wondering whether hydro provides a minimum level of power that can be, in concept, continuous through the emergency. This could then supply the power needed to get other types of plants running. It sounds good, but does it, uh, hold water?

Christopher Brewster

-- Anonymous, January 12, 1999

Answers

Christopher, if you go back to the New Questions page on this site and scroll down to the older questions which have been categorized, you'll find discussions about the hydro plants. Look for the category "Hydro Facilities" and the 1997-12-24 question titled, "Hydro-electric facilities".

Also check out the "Uncategorized" section and the 1998-11-26 question there titled, "Where are the hydroelectric plants?" There is quite a lot of info in those two threads. You'll discover the biggest problem with hydroelectric generation is that it supplies only a total of 10% of the nation's comsumption of electricity. Hydropower can be used to help restart other local area plants which fail, however, assuming they don't have any Y2K issues themselves. There are also some Y2K considerations about dam controls, for which info has been difficult to find.

-- Anonymous, January 12, 1999