Alternative Energy Sources

1. Alternative Energy Sources

2. 5 Alternative Energy Sources • Nuclear • Solar • Water • Wind • Geothermal

3. Nuclear Energy • Nuclear Fission: Splitting of the nucleus of Uranium - 235 into much smaller nuclei • The splitting heats surrounding water which becomes a source of energy for running electric generators.

4. Nuclear Energy • The fission of 1g of U releases as much energy as 3 tons of coal (14 barrels of oil) • Dangers: Waste needs to be disposed of or it will kill plant/animal cells

5. Nuclear Energy • Nuclear Fusion: nuclei of smaller nuclei COMBINE to form one large nuclei • Energy from sun is produced this way

6. Solar Energy • Solar energy captures light from sun to heat water & produce electricity • Problems involve expense & the battle of dark vs. light.

7. Water • Hydroelectric Power is generated by damming water & releasing it at certain times creating electricity • Can only be used in an areas w/ rivers suitable for damming • Low cost & no pollution • Destroys river habitat

8. Water – Hydroelectric Dam

9. Wind Energy • Electricity generated by speed of wind against the blades of a windmill • Windmill farms are located in areas with consistent highspeed winds • Danger to migratory birds. • Expensive

10. Geothermal Energy • Geothermal Energy capture energy from water heated from earth’s internal processes Used mainly in Iceland

11. Geothermal Energy • Heat from the Earth’s interior that is converted to electrical energy when steam or hot water from below Earth’s surface is piped to a power plant to run a generator • Usually found in volcanic areas, 22 countries around the world have geothermal plants