Global Brazil Lab: Connecting Duke Students to the Energy and Politics of the World's Largest Dam

Itaipú Binational Dam (Brazil-Paraguay) is the world’s largest hydroelectric dam, in terms of energy generated. In 2016, it’s set to break the world record of energy generation by producing more than 100,000 gigawatt hours of electricity.

While the US generates 2/3 of its electricity from fossil fuels, South America generates 2/3 of its electricity from renewable energy sources, making the continent a global leader in renewable energy.

Duke anthropologist Christine Folch discusses the energy initiative that the Global Brazil Lab at the Franklin Humanities Institute is spearheading to gather crucial data points on energy usage in Brazil.

The data will be used doubly to help inform policy makers in South America and as a pedagogical tool in the classroom for Duke students.