Do Now1. What types of renewable energy

sources do you think are available in North Carolina?

2. Can you think of any renewable energy sources that are near Charlotte?

3. What is the biggest advantage of renewable energy over nonrenewable energy?

4. What is the difference between traditional and alternative types of energy?

Exit Ticket

1. What are two differences between traditional and alternative energy sources?

2. List 1 traditional energy source-include 1 benefit & 1 cost

3. List 1 alternative energy source-include 1 benefit & 1 cost

ALTERNATE ENERGY IN NORTH CAROLINA

SWBAT evaluate sources of alternate energy in North Carolina

Political Connection!

NC is one of just a few states in the US that has a legislative renewable energy mandate.  The NC Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS) requires that NC utilities must have a percentage of their retail sales come from renewable energy sources by specific dates – up to 12.5% by 2021. 

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH! By 2021, 12.5% of North Carolina’s energy must come from renewable energy sources!

BIG QUESTION!

What types of alternative energy would be most useful and most easily accessible in North Carolina.?

Aspects to consider: Weather, climate, Natural

Resources

2 Major Advantages

Solar Energy

1. Solar energy’s “fuel’ is free 2. Solar energy is non-polluting *Instead of fossil fuels use

photovoltaic (PV) panels to convert sunlight directly into electricity.

North Carolina Solar House

The North Carolina Solar House is a house on the campus of N.C. State University in Raleigh, NC. This house is run almost entirely off of solar energy.

Virtual Tour of the NC Solar House

Solar Energy: Pros & Cons

Pros Once they are

manufactured, solar panels produce no pollution

Once solar panels are paid for, they continue to provide free energy

Solar energy production is very quiet, unlike energy created from fossil fuels and other forms of energy

Cons Initial cost of solar panels Weather can affect

effectiveness of solar panels

Solar panels only work during daylight hours. This means they can only create energy during daylight hours, and must use stored energy during dark hours

Nuclear Energy

Alternate Energy Sources

In nuclear fission, the nuclei of heavy atoms such as uranium-235 are bombarded with neutrons.

The uranium nuclei split into smaller nuclei and emit neutrons and heat energy.

North Carolina State University Nuclear Plant

History of the reactor

Cons from a nuclear plant

Nuclear Energy: Pros & Cons

Pros Create very small

amounts of pollution Very reliable (require

little to no outside fuel to operate)

High levels of electric energy can be created at one nuclear energy plant

Cons Radioactive waste

(must be monitored for 10,000 years after it is used

Example: Chernobyl Where was it? What happened?

Threat of nuclear terrorism

Wind Energy

Alternate Energy Sources

In the next 50 to 60 years, wind power could be used to create between 5 to 10 percent of the country’s demand for electricity.

Wind Turbines

Traditional Wind Turbine

Modern Vertical Wind Turbine

Wind in North Carolina

Where are North Carolina’s Wind Turbines?

Are there any near Charlotte?

Wind Turbines: Pros & Cons

Pros Self-sustaining

(does not require support from other resources or inputs)

Reliable Causes little to no

harm to plant and animal life on the ground

Cons Not 100% reliable

(wind speeds must be at least 16 mph)

Avian mortality (bird killers!)

High initial cost

Hydroelectric Power

Alternate Energy Sources

The strong water flow that results drives turbines and electric generators.

The water held in a reservoir behind a dam is a form of stored energy that can be released through the dam to produce electric power.

Hydroelectric power is the power generated by falling water.

Cowans Ford Dam

Cowans Ford Hydro Station is located in Huntersville, N.C., approximately 20 miles north of Charlotte on Lake Norman. It is the largest conventional hydro station owned by Duke Energy.

Cowans Ford Dam created Lake Norman, the largest man-made body of fresh water in North Carolina. The lake provides a dependable supply of water to Lincoln County and the communities of Davidson, Mooresville, Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Huntersville.

Hydroelectric Power: Pros & Cons

Pros Completely

independent of fossil fuels

Can be shut off immediately (thermal plants can take hours, nuclear plants can take weeks)

Controls flooding Very few breakdowns

Cons Disrupts natural

ecosystems Plant decay that is

created as a result of dams can cause release of greenhouse gases

Expensive to build

NC Energy Brochure

Front: NC Alternative Energy Resources Inside folds: Solar Farm-5+ sentence description +

picture Nuclear reactor-5+ sentence description

+ picture Cowan’s farm dam Back: Pros & Cons of each energy source Argument of which alternative energy

source is best

Resource Review Quiz

4.2 Powerpoint Write your answers in your

notebook

Exit Ticket!

1. Name the four types of alternative energy sources that are available in North Carolina

2. Give an example of one specific renewable energy facility that is in North Carolina.

3. Describe the pros and cons of one facility you read about.