124 SUSTAINABLE SOURCES OF ELECTRICITY

RENEWABLE FORMS OF ENERGY

bull Wind

bull Solar

bull Wave

bull Tidal

bull Biomass

bull Geothermal

Future plans related to energy use include conservation and increased

use of renewable forms of energy

WIND ENERGY

bull can be small scale electrical production or as part of a

wind farm

bull Most wind turbines are mounted on towers

bull 30m or more above the ground to take advantage of

higher winds and minimize turbulence caused by

landforms or structures

bull When wind turbines spin they turn an electric generator

that produces electricity

WIND ENERGY

Advantages

bull Most large turbines can generate

a few megawatts of electrical

power

bull the cost of running wind turbines

is very low

Disadvantages

bull quite expensive to construct and

install

bull The wind speed at any location

may vary during the day

bull Some people think that wind

turbines are noisy and spoil the

view

bull Turbines can be a danger to

birds and humans nearby

SOLAR ENERGY

bull Energy converted directly from the Sun into electricity

bull use of photovoltaic materials that generate a direct current when

exposed to light

bull The Sun emits an enormous amount of energy

bull In Ontario the average energy at Earthrsquos surface is between 33 and

50 kWhm2 Solar cells are only about 25 efficient at converting

this energy into electricity

SOLAR ENERGY

bull Solar cells are rapidly becoming more common on everything from

parking meters to roof tops to solar farms

SOLAR ENERGY

Advantages

bull The fuel for solar energy is free

bull There is very little impact on the

environment

bull The cost of solar energy is

dropping as the technology

develops

Disadvantages

bull Solar energy systems are still

quite expensive

bull Solar systems are quite

inefficient

bull DC that is produced must be

converted to AC for home use

bull Energy must be stored in

batteries for use at night or on

cloudy days

OCEAN WAVES

bull can be used to generate electricity

bull as they rise and fall compress an air column that drives a turbine

connected to a generator

bull Canada is currently investigating ways to generate electricity using

ocean waves

TIDAL ENERGY

bull can be converted to electricity

bull The rising and falling tides spin generators within dams constructed

across inlets

bull Canadarsquos tidal generating station at Annapolis Royal in Nona Scotia

is shown on the right

BIOMASS ENERGY

bull energy that is generated from plant and animal material

bull Plant matter (or bio fuels) can be burned to power generators

bull Burning biomass still adds CO2 to the atmosphere but does not add

any of the other chemicals found in fossil fuels

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

bull is produced from naturally occurring steam and hot water that is

heated by rocks and trapped under Earthrsquos surface

bull When pumped to the surface the steam drives turbines to generate

electricity

CONSERVING ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Each form of energy used to generate electricity has an economic and an

environmental cost These costs can be reduced by encouraging practices

such as

bull switching energy use to off-peak times

bull using less electricity in your daily life

bull discarding andor replacing inefficient older appliances such as

refrigerators freezers and window air conditioners

bull replacing incandescent bulbs with more efficient alternatives

bull having a smart meter installed to monitor your energy use

Increased conservation of electrical energy could reduce the need to construct

billion-dollar power plants to keep up with growing demand

RENEWABLE FORMS OF ENERGY

bull Wind

bull Solar

bull Wave

bull Tidal

bull Biomass

bull Geothermal

Future plans related to energy use include conservation and increased

use of renewable forms of energy

WIND ENERGY

bull can be small scale electrical production or as part of a

wind farm

bull Most wind turbines are mounted on towers

bull 30m or more above the ground to take advantage of

higher winds and minimize turbulence caused by

landforms or structures

bull When wind turbines spin they turn an electric generator

that produces electricity

WIND ENERGY

Advantages

bull Most large turbines can generate

a few megawatts of electrical

power

bull the cost of running wind turbines

is very low

Disadvantages

bull quite expensive to construct and

install

bull The wind speed at any location

may vary during the day

bull Some people think that wind

turbines are noisy and spoil the

view

bull Turbines can be a danger to

birds and humans nearby

SOLAR ENERGY

bull Energy converted directly from the Sun into electricity

bull use of photovoltaic materials that generate a direct current when

exposed to light

bull The Sun emits an enormous amount of energy

bull In Ontario the average energy at Earthrsquos surface is between 33 and

50 kWhm2 Solar cells are only about 25 efficient at converting

this energy into electricity

SOLAR ENERGY

bull Solar cells are rapidly becoming more common on everything from

parking meters to roof tops to solar farms

SOLAR ENERGY

Advantages

bull The fuel for solar energy is free

bull There is very little impact on the

environment

bull The cost of solar energy is

dropping as the technology

develops

Disadvantages

bull Solar energy systems are still

quite expensive

bull Solar systems are quite

inefficient

bull DC that is produced must be

converted to AC for home use

bull Energy must be stored in

batteries for use at night or on

cloudy days

OCEAN WAVES

bull can be used to generate electricity

bull as they rise and fall compress an air column that drives a turbine

connected to a generator

bull Canada is currently investigating ways to generate electricity using

ocean waves

TIDAL ENERGY

bull can be converted to electricity

bull The rising and falling tides spin generators within dams constructed

across inlets

bull Canadarsquos tidal generating station at Annapolis Royal in Nona Scotia

is shown on the right

BIOMASS ENERGY

bull energy that is generated from plant and animal material

bull Plant matter (or bio fuels) can be burned to power generators

bull Burning biomass still adds CO2 to the atmosphere but does not add

any of the other chemicals found in fossil fuels

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

bull is produced from naturally occurring steam and hot water that is

heated by rocks and trapped under Earthrsquos surface

bull When pumped to the surface the steam drives turbines to generate

electricity

CONSERVING ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Each form of energy used to generate electricity has an economic and an

environmental cost These costs can be reduced by encouraging practices

such as

bull switching energy use to off-peak times

bull using less electricity in your daily life

bull discarding andor replacing inefficient older appliances such as

refrigerators freezers and window air conditioners

bull replacing incandescent bulbs with more efficient alternatives

bull having a smart meter installed to monitor your energy use

Increased conservation of electrical energy could reduce the need to construct

billion-dollar power plants to keep up with growing demand

WIND ENERGY

bull can be small scale electrical production or as part of a

wind farm

bull Most wind turbines are mounted on towers

bull 30m or more above the ground to take advantage of

higher winds and minimize turbulence caused by

landforms or structures

bull When wind turbines spin they turn an electric generator

that produces electricity

WIND ENERGY

Advantages

bull Most large turbines can generate

a few megawatts of electrical

power

bull the cost of running wind turbines

is very low

Disadvantages

bull quite expensive to construct and

install

bull The wind speed at any location

may vary during the day

bull Some people think that wind

turbines are noisy and spoil the

view

bull Turbines can be a danger to

birds and humans nearby

SOLAR ENERGY

bull Energy converted directly from the Sun into electricity

bull use of photovoltaic materials that generate a direct current when

exposed to light

bull The Sun emits an enormous amount of energy

bull In Ontario the average energy at Earthrsquos surface is between 33 and

50 kWhm2 Solar cells are only about 25 efficient at converting

this energy into electricity

SOLAR ENERGY

bull Solar cells are rapidly becoming more common on everything from

parking meters to roof tops to solar farms

SOLAR ENERGY

Advantages

bull The fuel for solar energy is free

bull There is very little impact on the

environment

bull The cost of solar energy is

dropping as the technology

develops

Disadvantages

bull Solar energy systems are still

quite expensive

bull Solar systems are quite

inefficient

bull DC that is produced must be

converted to AC for home use

bull Energy must be stored in

batteries for use at night or on

cloudy days

OCEAN WAVES

bull can be used to generate electricity

bull as they rise and fall compress an air column that drives a turbine

connected to a generator

bull Canada is currently investigating ways to generate electricity using

ocean waves

TIDAL ENERGY

bull can be converted to electricity

bull The rising and falling tides spin generators within dams constructed

across inlets

bull Canadarsquos tidal generating station at Annapolis Royal in Nona Scotia

is shown on the right

BIOMASS ENERGY

bull energy that is generated from plant and animal material

bull Plant matter (or bio fuels) can be burned to power generators

bull Burning biomass still adds CO2 to the atmosphere but does not add

any of the other chemicals found in fossil fuels

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

bull is produced from naturally occurring steam and hot water that is

heated by rocks and trapped under Earthrsquos surface

bull When pumped to the surface the steam drives turbines to generate

electricity

CONSERVING ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Each form of energy used to generate electricity has an economic and an

environmental cost These costs can be reduced by encouraging practices

such as

bull switching energy use to off-peak times

bull using less electricity in your daily life

bull discarding andor replacing inefficient older appliances such as

refrigerators freezers and window air conditioners

bull replacing incandescent bulbs with more efficient alternatives

bull having a smart meter installed to monitor your energy use

Increased conservation of electrical energy could reduce the need to construct

billion-dollar power plants to keep up with growing demand

WIND ENERGY

Advantages

bull Most large turbines can generate

a few megawatts of electrical

power

bull the cost of running wind turbines

is very low

Disadvantages

bull quite expensive to construct and

install

bull The wind speed at any location

may vary during the day

bull Some people think that wind

turbines are noisy and spoil the

view

bull Turbines can be a danger to

birds and humans nearby

SOLAR ENERGY

bull Energy converted directly from the Sun into electricity

bull use of photovoltaic materials that generate a direct current when

exposed to light

bull The Sun emits an enormous amount of energy

bull In Ontario the average energy at Earthrsquos surface is between 33 and

50 kWhm2 Solar cells are only about 25 efficient at converting

this energy into electricity

SOLAR ENERGY

bull Solar cells are rapidly becoming more common on everything from

parking meters to roof tops to solar farms

SOLAR ENERGY

Advantages

bull The fuel for solar energy is free

bull There is very little impact on the

environment

bull The cost of solar energy is

dropping as the technology

develops

Disadvantages

bull Solar energy systems are still

quite expensive

bull Solar systems are quite

inefficient

bull DC that is produced must be

converted to AC for home use

bull Energy must be stored in

batteries for use at night or on

cloudy days

OCEAN WAVES

bull can be used to generate electricity

bull as they rise and fall compress an air column that drives a turbine

connected to a generator

bull Canada is currently investigating ways to generate electricity using

ocean waves

TIDAL ENERGY

bull can be converted to electricity

bull The rising and falling tides spin generators within dams constructed

across inlets

bull Canadarsquos tidal generating station at Annapolis Royal in Nona Scotia

is shown on the right

BIOMASS ENERGY

bull energy that is generated from plant and animal material

bull Plant matter (or bio fuels) can be burned to power generators

bull Burning biomass still adds CO2 to the atmosphere but does not add

any of the other chemicals found in fossil fuels

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

bull is produced from naturally occurring steam and hot water that is

heated by rocks and trapped under Earthrsquos surface

bull When pumped to the surface the steam drives turbines to generate

electricity

CONSERVING ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Each form of energy used to generate electricity has an economic and an

environmental cost These costs can be reduced by encouraging practices

such as

bull switching energy use to off-peak times

bull using less electricity in your daily life

bull discarding andor replacing inefficient older appliances such as

refrigerators freezers and window air conditioners

bull replacing incandescent bulbs with more efficient alternatives

bull having a smart meter installed to monitor your energy use

Increased conservation of electrical energy could reduce the need to construct

billion-dollar power plants to keep up with growing demand

SOLAR ENERGY

bull Energy converted directly from the Sun into electricity

bull use of photovoltaic materials that generate a direct current when

exposed to light

bull The Sun emits an enormous amount of energy

bull In Ontario the average energy at Earthrsquos surface is between 33 and

50 kWhm2 Solar cells are only about 25 efficient at converting

this energy into electricity

SOLAR ENERGY

bull Solar cells are rapidly becoming more common on everything from

parking meters to roof tops to solar farms

SOLAR ENERGY

Advantages

bull The fuel for solar energy is free

bull There is very little impact on the

environment

bull The cost of solar energy is

dropping as the technology

develops

Disadvantages

bull Solar energy systems are still

quite expensive

bull Solar systems are quite

inefficient

bull DC that is produced must be

converted to AC for home use

bull Energy must be stored in

batteries for use at night or on

cloudy days

OCEAN WAVES

bull can be used to generate electricity

bull as they rise and fall compress an air column that drives a turbine

connected to a generator

bull Canada is currently investigating ways to generate electricity using

ocean waves

TIDAL ENERGY

bull can be converted to electricity

bull The rising and falling tides spin generators within dams constructed

across inlets

bull Canadarsquos tidal generating station at Annapolis Royal in Nona Scotia

is shown on the right

BIOMASS ENERGY

bull energy that is generated from plant and animal material

bull Plant matter (or bio fuels) can be burned to power generators

bull Burning biomass still adds CO2 to the atmosphere but does not add

any of the other chemicals found in fossil fuels

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

bull is produced from naturally occurring steam and hot water that is

heated by rocks and trapped under Earthrsquos surface

bull When pumped to the surface the steam drives turbines to generate

electricity

CONSERVING ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Each form of energy used to generate electricity has an economic and an

environmental cost These costs can be reduced by encouraging practices

such as

bull switching energy use to off-peak times

bull using less electricity in your daily life

bull discarding andor replacing inefficient older appliances such as

refrigerators freezers and window air conditioners

bull replacing incandescent bulbs with more efficient alternatives

bull having a smart meter installed to monitor your energy use

Increased conservation of electrical energy could reduce the need to construct

billion-dollar power plants to keep up with growing demand

SOLAR ENERGY

bull Solar cells are rapidly becoming more common on everything from

parking meters to roof tops to solar farms

SOLAR ENERGY

Advantages

bull The fuel for solar energy is free

bull There is very little impact on the

environment

bull The cost of solar energy is

dropping as the technology

develops

Disadvantages

bull Solar energy systems are still

quite expensive

bull Solar systems are quite

inefficient

bull DC that is produced must be

converted to AC for home use

bull Energy must be stored in

batteries for use at night or on

cloudy days

OCEAN WAVES

bull can be used to generate electricity

bull as they rise and fall compress an air column that drives a turbine

connected to a generator

bull Canada is currently investigating ways to generate electricity using

ocean waves

TIDAL ENERGY

bull can be converted to electricity

bull The rising and falling tides spin generators within dams constructed

across inlets

bull Canadarsquos tidal generating station at Annapolis Royal in Nona Scotia

is shown on the right

BIOMASS ENERGY

bull energy that is generated from plant and animal material

bull Plant matter (or bio fuels) can be burned to power generators

bull Burning biomass still adds CO2 to the atmosphere but does not add

any of the other chemicals found in fossil fuels

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

bull is produced from naturally occurring steam and hot water that is

heated by rocks and trapped under Earthrsquos surface

bull When pumped to the surface the steam drives turbines to generate

electricity

CONSERVING ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Each form of energy used to generate electricity has an economic and an

environmental cost These costs can be reduced by encouraging practices

such as

bull switching energy use to off-peak times

bull using less electricity in your daily life

bull discarding andor replacing inefficient older appliances such as

refrigerators freezers and window air conditioners

bull replacing incandescent bulbs with more efficient alternatives

bull having a smart meter installed to monitor your energy use

Increased conservation of electrical energy could reduce the need to construct

billion-dollar power plants to keep up with growing demand

SOLAR ENERGY

Advantages

bull The fuel for solar energy is free

bull There is very little impact on the

environment

bull The cost of solar energy is

dropping as the technology

develops

Disadvantages

bull Solar energy systems are still

quite expensive

bull Solar systems are quite

inefficient

bull DC that is produced must be

converted to AC for home use

bull Energy must be stored in

batteries for use at night or on

cloudy days

OCEAN WAVES

bull can be used to generate electricity

bull as they rise and fall compress an air column that drives a turbine

connected to a generator

bull Canada is currently investigating ways to generate electricity using

ocean waves

TIDAL ENERGY

bull can be converted to electricity

bull The rising and falling tides spin generators within dams constructed

across inlets

bull Canadarsquos tidal generating station at Annapolis Royal in Nona Scotia

is shown on the right

BIOMASS ENERGY

bull energy that is generated from plant and animal material

bull Plant matter (or bio fuels) can be burned to power generators

bull Burning biomass still adds CO2 to the atmosphere but does not add

any of the other chemicals found in fossil fuels

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

bull is produced from naturally occurring steam and hot water that is

heated by rocks and trapped under Earthrsquos surface

bull When pumped to the surface the steam drives turbines to generate

electricity

CONSERVING ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Each form of energy used to generate electricity has an economic and an

environmental cost These costs can be reduced by encouraging practices

such as

bull switching energy use to off-peak times

bull using less electricity in your daily life

bull discarding andor replacing inefficient older appliances such as

refrigerators freezers and window air conditioners

bull replacing incandescent bulbs with more efficient alternatives

bull having a smart meter installed to monitor your energy use

Increased conservation of electrical energy could reduce the need to construct

billion-dollar power plants to keep up with growing demand

OCEAN WAVES

bull can be used to generate electricity

bull as they rise and fall compress an air column that drives a turbine

connected to a generator

bull Canada is currently investigating ways to generate electricity using

ocean waves

TIDAL ENERGY

bull can be converted to electricity

bull The rising and falling tides spin generators within dams constructed

across inlets

bull Canadarsquos tidal generating station at Annapolis Royal in Nona Scotia

is shown on the right

BIOMASS ENERGY

bull energy that is generated from plant and animal material

bull Plant matter (or bio fuels) can be burned to power generators

bull Burning biomass still adds CO2 to the atmosphere but does not add

any of the other chemicals found in fossil fuels

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

bull is produced from naturally occurring steam and hot water that is

heated by rocks and trapped under Earthrsquos surface

bull When pumped to the surface the steam drives turbines to generate

electricity

CONSERVING ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Each form of energy used to generate electricity has an economic and an

environmental cost These costs can be reduced by encouraging practices

such as

bull switching energy use to off-peak times

bull using less electricity in your daily life

bull discarding andor replacing inefficient older appliances such as

refrigerators freezers and window air conditioners

bull replacing incandescent bulbs with more efficient alternatives

bull having a smart meter installed to monitor your energy use

Increased conservation of electrical energy could reduce the need to construct

billion-dollar power plants to keep up with growing demand

TIDAL ENERGY

bull can be converted to electricity

bull The rising and falling tides spin generators within dams constructed

across inlets

bull Canadarsquos tidal generating station at Annapolis Royal in Nona Scotia

is shown on the right

BIOMASS ENERGY

bull energy that is generated from plant and animal material

bull Plant matter (or bio fuels) can be burned to power generators

bull Burning biomass still adds CO2 to the atmosphere but does not add

any of the other chemicals found in fossil fuels

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

bull is produced from naturally occurring steam and hot water that is

heated by rocks and trapped under Earthrsquos surface

bull When pumped to the surface the steam drives turbines to generate

electricity

CONSERVING ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Each form of energy used to generate electricity has an economic and an

environmental cost These costs can be reduced by encouraging practices

such as

bull switching energy use to off-peak times

bull using less electricity in your daily life

bull discarding andor replacing inefficient older appliances such as

refrigerators freezers and window air conditioners

bull replacing incandescent bulbs with more efficient alternatives

bull having a smart meter installed to monitor your energy use

Increased conservation of electrical energy could reduce the need to construct

billion-dollar power plants to keep up with growing demand

BIOMASS ENERGY

bull energy that is generated from plant and animal material

bull Plant matter (or bio fuels) can be burned to power generators

bull Burning biomass still adds CO2 to the atmosphere but does not add

any of the other chemicals found in fossil fuels

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

bull is produced from naturally occurring steam and hot water that is

heated by rocks and trapped under Earthrsquos surface

bull When pumped to the surface the steam drives turbines to generate

electricity

CONSERVING ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Each form of energy used to generate electricity has an economic and an

environmental cost These costs can be reduced by encouraging practices

such as

bull switching energy use to off-peak times

bull using less electricity in your daily life

bull discarding andor replacing inefficient older appliances such as

refrigerators freezers and window air conditioners

bull replacing incandescent bulbs with more efficient alternatives

bull having a smart meter installed to monitor your energy use

Increased conservation of electrical energy could reduce the need to construct

billion-dollar power plants to keep up with growing demand

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

bull is produced from naturally occurring steam and hot water that is

heated by rocks and trapped under Earthrsquos surface

bull When pumped to the surface the steam drives turbines to generate

electricity

CONSERVING ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Each form of energy used to generate electricity has an economic and an

environmental cost These costs can be reduced by encouraging practices

such as

bull switching energy use to off-peak times

bull using less electricity in your daily life

bull discarding andor replacing inefficient older appliances such as

refrigerators freezers and window air conditioners

bull replacing incandescent bulbs with more efficient alternatives

bull having a smart meter installed to monitor your energy use

Increased conservation of electrical energy could reduce the need to construct

billion-dollar power plants to keep up with growing demand

CONSERVING ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Each form of energy used to generate electricity has an economic and an

environmental cost These costs can be reduced by encouraging practices

such as

bull switching energy use to off-peak times

bull using less electricity in your daily life

bull discarding andor replacing inefficient older appliances such as

refrigerators freezers and window air conditioners

bull replacing incandescent bulbs with more efficient alternatives

bull having a smart meter installed to monitor your energy use

Increased conservation of electrical energy could reduce the need to construct

billion-dollar power plants to keep up with growing demand