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Warm up

What is renewable energy?

Renewable Energy
SEV4 Resource allocation and use

Renewable Energy

Sources that are constantly being formed


Solar
Wind Moving

water Earths heat

Solar Energy

Already commonly used


Water

cycle Photosynthesis Wind Sunshine warming a room Solar cells

Passive Solar Heating


Use sun to heat something directly Northern hemisphere homes

Large,

winter Overhangs block sunlight in the summer Insulation is important

south facing windows absorb heat in

Active Solar Heating

Suns energy is gathered to heat a building or water


Solar

water heaters

Water

heated on roof Hot water used to heat water supply


Photovoltaic
No

cells

moving parts, no pollution Need many cells to produce decent yields

Wind Power
Air is heated unevenly wind Wind power Electrical energy Fast growing resource 3 months to build a windmill

Wind Farms
280,000 homes in CA powered by wind Take up little space

Farmers

add windmills to farm Sell power to cities

Currently Underused
Windiest areas on earth could generate 10x energy used worldwide. Transportation of energy is challenging Wind farms may make hydrogen from water in the future. Hydrogen used as fuel.

Biomass
Plant material, manure, other organic matter used as fuel Challenges

Trees

renewable, but must be managed Burning wood or manure air pollution

Methane
Decomposition methane (CH4) Can be burned for heat or electricity

China

6 million homes use methane for heating/cooking England Methane from cow manure as fuel for electricity USA electricity from methane generated by landfills

Alcohol
Ethanol fermenting fruit or agricultural waste Gasohol

mix

of gasoline and ethanol Produces less pollution when burned

Hydroelectricity
Produced from moving water 20% of electricity How it works

Reservoir

holds water Water turns turbines/generator Generator turns movement into electricity

Benefits of Hydroelectricity
Expensive to build but cheap to operate No air pollution Last longer Flood control Water for drinking, agriculture, industry, and recreation

Disadvantages of Hydroelectricity

Disrupts river flow


Ecosystems

flooded behind dam River flow diminished below dam

Displaces people Farmland downstream less productive Decay in reservoir greenhouse gases

Modern Hydroelectricity
No new dams in the USA Brazil, India, and China still building large dams Micro-hydropower

Geothermal Energy
From the heat in earths crust Use water or steam to turn turbines The Geysers in CA powers 1.7 million homes Philippines, Iceland, New Zealand, Japan, Mexico, and Italy Renewable, but must be managed

Geothermal Heat Pumps


Heat and cool homes Temp underground is constant Loop of fluid in a pipe underground and into house

Assignment
Answer #5 on p. 499 Ticket out the door

Warm up
What

is the difference between renewable energy and alternative energy?

Alternative energy
Still in development Some renewable energy was once alternative energy. Govt investments are vital to development.

Tidal power

Benefits

Drawbacks

Tides happen 2x a day Generates electricity like hydroelectric dams

Expensive Few suitable locations

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)

Benefits

Drawbacks

Cold and warm ocean water are available at different depths Cold water boils at low temp in vacuum chamber Steam can turn a turbine

Not cost effective Uses 1/3 of the energy it produces Environmental effects unknown

Hydrogen

Benefits

Drawbacks

Abundant No air pollutants when burned (plants may produce it)

Generating it uses energy, money, and makes pollution Explosive and dangerous

Fuel Cells
Produce electricity chemically Combine H2 and O2 and electricity is produced. Water is only byproduct

Energy Efficiency

What you get out vs. what you put in %Energy efficiency =
Useful energy out Energy in x 100

Much energy is wasted

Efficient Transportation
Public transportation Hybrid cars

Efficient

gasoline engine Electric engine Aerodynamic

Cogeneration
Production of 2 useful forms of energy from 1 fuel source Use waste heat from a furnace to turn a turbine

Energy Conservation

Saving energy
Use

energy efficient devices Wasting less energy

Cities and Towns

Osage, IA
3,600

people saved $1 million/year

Sealed

doors and windows New efficient furnaces Insulated water heaters


Businesses

moved to the area Unemployment is down

Around the Home


Spend $1,500/year on energy costs Much is wasted

Insulation Efficient

windows Weather stripping Wash clothes in cold water

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