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Alternative Energy Resources. Alternative Energy.
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Alternative Energy • The issues surrounding the use of fossil fuels, particularly climate change, were considered earlier than you may think. It was a Swedish scientist named Svante Arrhenius who was the first to state that the use of fossil fuel could contribute to global warming, way back in 1896.
Alternative Energy • This issue has become a major topic over the last few decades. Today, there is a shift towards environmental awareness and the sources of our energy are changing and less harmful to our planet.
Alternative Energy • The number of alternativeenergy sources has risen. While the use of each can be argued, they all contribute something positive when compared to fossil fuels. • Lower emissions, lower fuelprices and the reduction of pollution are all advantages that the use of alternative fuels can often provide.
Alternative Energy • Alternativeenergy refers to energy sources that have no undesired consequences such for example fossil fuels or nuclear energy. Alternative energy sources are renewable and are thought to be free energysources. ... These include Biomass and Biofuel Energy, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Geothermal Energy, Hydroelectric Energy sources, Tidal Energy.
Solar • The main advantages of solar energy are that it is free and it doesn’t cause any kind of pollution.
Solar 2. Passive solar designs can provide up to 70 percent of the energy needed to heat a house and up to 60 percent of the energy needed to cool it.
Solar 3. Active solar heating systems include solar panels that absorb solar energy and fans or pumps that distribute energy throughout the house.
Solar 4. Solar cookers can be used effectively where fuels are scarce, such as in countries that have cut down most of their forests.
Solar 5. Solar energy is converted to electricity by photovoltaic cells .When sunlight falls on a photovoltaic cell, it releases a flow of electrons that creates an electrical current.
Solar 6. Photovoltaic cells are reliable, quiet, and typically should last more than 30 years.
Hydroelectric 7. Hydroelectric power is produced as water is diverted into turbines, which drive a generator to produce electrical energy.
Tidal 9. The kinetic energy in waves, which is created by the wind, can be used to generate electricity. Barriers built across estuaries or inlets can capture the energy associated with the ebb and flow of tides.
Geothermal 10. Geothermal energy is energy produced by naturally occurring steam and hot water.
Geothermal 11. Geothermal energy can be used to heat homes and businesses and can be used in power plants to produce electricity.
Geothermal 12.A disadvantage of geothermal energy is that its development can disrupt ecosystems and cause local air and water pollution.
Wind 13. Wind turbines convert the energy of the wind to mechanical energy, which is used to produce electrical energy.
Wind 14.Nearly all of the energy needs of the country could be met if wind farms were built in 3 states that experience steady winds: North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas.
What are the advantages of wind energy? • It is an unlimited resource at favorable locations • Wind farms can be built or expanded quickly • They are nonpolluting and don’t require water for cooling • The land underneath turbines can be used for farming activities
Nuclear Power 16.Nuclear power plants produce electricity at a much lower cost than coal and other types of fossil fuels. They do not produce carbon dioxide or any other greenhouse gases. They do produce radioactive waste that can be harmful to the environment.
Nuclear Power 17.Poor management, high operating costs, poor designs, and public concerns about safety contributed to the decline of nuclear power.
Hydrogen Gas • Unlike other forms of natural gas, hydrogen is a completely clean burning fuel. Once produced, hydrogen gas cells emit only water vapor and warm air when in use. • The major issue with this form of alternative energy is that it is mostly derived from the use of natural gas and fossil fuels. As such, it could be argued that the emissions created to extract it counteract the benefits of its use.
Wave Energy • Wave energy converters have an advantage over tidal energy sources because they can be placed in the ocean in various locations. • Much like with tidal energy, it produces little waste. It is also more reliable than many other forms of alternative energy and has enormous potential. However, the cost is very expensive and there is not enough data to find out how wave energy converters affect natural ecosystems.
Biomass 18.Biomass fuels include wood, dried crops, and dried fecal materials from animals.
Biomass 19.Bagasse is the residue of sugar cane after the juice has been extracted. It is burned to produce power.
Biofuels 20.Ethanol produced from corn is used in gasoline mixtures to produce gasohol, which can be burned in conventional gasoline engines.
