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Alternative Resources

Alternative Resources. Chapter 5: Section 3. Target Material:. Alternative Energy Resources Nuclear Solar Wind Hydroelectric Biological Matter Geothermal. Vocabulary Nuclear Energy Solar Energy Wind Energy Hydroelectric Energy Biomass Gasohol Geothermal Energy. Nuclear Energy.

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Alternative Resources

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  1. Alternative Resources Chapter 5: Section 3

  2. Target Material: Alternative Energy Resources • Nuclear • Solar • Wind • Hydroelectric • Biological Matter • Geothermal Vocabulary • Nuclear Energy • Solar Energy • Wind Energy • Hydroelectric Energy • Biomass • Gasohol • Geothermal Energy

  3. Nuclear Energy • Fusion: • Joins nuclei of small atoms to create larger atoms • Fusion reactions cause extremely high temperatures and cannot be handled outside a magnetic field • The Sun uses fusion to create light. • Fission: • Most common production process for power plants. • Splits radioactive atoms to release energy • Fission is used to run the plant and to power thousands of homes. • The Chernobyl power plant used nuclear energy.

  4. Assessing Nuclear Energy: Pros: Cons: Produces radioactive waste Waste can stay radioactive for thousands of years; we don’t know how to dispose of it safely Unstable environment; prone to meltdowns Uses massive amounts of water for cooling towers and producing steam • Doesn’t use fossil fuels • Provides jobs • Produces little air pollution • Can generate energy for very large areas in a single plant

  5. Solar Energy • Solar panels are used to capture sun’s energy • Each day, the Sun produces enough energy to meet all our energy needs • Solar energy can be used to generate electricity and heat buildings/water • The largest solar plant is supposed to be built in 2011 in Arizona

  6. Assess Solar Energy: Pros: Cons: Expensive Take up roof space and can be unsightly Some places don’t get much sunlight At night you have to rely on stored energy • No pollution • Reliable and quiet • Good option for rural areas • Government tax breaks • Runs silently • Nearly maintenance free • Can sell extra power to companies

  7. Wind Energy • Wind energy can be captured by windmills or turbines • Wind power is tremendously powerful • Wind farms are collections of wind turbines in one area • California holds most of the wind turbines in the United States • San Francisco could be powered by all the turbines in California

  8. Assess Wind Energy: Pros: Cons: Kill avian animals Cause light & noise pollution Takes up large areas Not consistent & not available in all areas Need maintenance for lightning damage • Wind farms can be built in a relatively short period of time • Wind farm land can still be used; such as for cow pastures • Little pollution

  9. Hydroelectric Energy • Hydroelectricity is made by harnessing the movement of water • Water wheels have been used for centuries • Water flows through huge dams to generate power • Salmon and Steelhead migration patterns are severely impaired by the blockage of rivers by dams

  10. Assessing Hydroelectric Energy: Pros: Cons: Disturb ecosystems Expensive installations Clear-cutting land Not available everywhere Power fluctuates in dry season Degrades water quality • Clean • Does not cause waste • Tides are always active • Highly efficient

  11. Geothermal Energy • Geothermal energy comes from hot springs • Generators for geothermal energy are generally used for producing electricity • Process of Geothermal Energy: • Groundwater is heated by magma • Well is drilled to reach groundwater • Steam rises through well • Steam turns turbines that generate electricity • Leftover water is returned to the ground

  12. Assess Geothermal Energy: Pros: Cons: Initial cost is expensive Very selective areas (Alaska, Hawaii, western states) • Mostly emission free, and may even take additional sulfur out of air • Smallest land usage of any power production plant • Pays for itself because it doesn’t need fuel • There is more reusable geothermal energy than oil, coal, gas, and mineable nuclear fuels combined

  13. Bio-Fuel Energy • Bio-Fuels are any fuel made from biological material • Any plant with sugar or starch can be used to make alcohol which can be mixed with gasoline to make gasohol. • Burning wood is a common type of bio-fuel • In developing countries where firewood is scarce, feces is used as a burning material to heat and power homes

  14. Assess Bio-fuel Energy: Pros: Cons: Releases CO2 & Methane into the air by burning Extra fertilizer puts more nitrous oxide in the air (a greenhouse gas) Bio-fuels use more energy than they produce Displace farm-land for crops Ethanol can clog engines and reduce vehicle performance • Uses less fossil fuels than regular gasoline • Secure jobs in USA instead of depending on unstable connections to foreign oil

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