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Building the world's largest (and most controversial) power plant - Alex Gendler

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TEDEd Animation

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In 2018, a single power plant produced more energy than the world’s largest coal-powered and gas-powered plants combined. China’s Three Gorges Dam relies on running water, and is capable of producing more energy than any other power plant on Earth. So what allows Three Gorges to generate all this power? And how do hydroelectric plants work in the first place? Alex Gendler investigates.

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Additional Resources for you to Explore

The Chinese National Committee on Large Dams has a great deal of statistics and technical details about the Three Gorges Dam, and more information can be found here. You can also read about some of the engineering challenges and environmental problems that have arisen since its construction, as well as the cultural and historical dimensions of its impact.

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Alex Gendler
  • Director Franz Palomares
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Illustrator Tara Sunil Thomas
  • Sound Designer Spencer Ward
  • Music Salil Bhayani
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

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