Do Now

• What is renewable energy? • What are some examples of renewable

energy?• Do you know of any local examples of

renewable energy?

Renewable EnergyEnergy from sources that are

replenishedor are perpetually available

Sustainable EnergyRenewable energy with low

environmental impact

How Most Renewable EnergyTechnologies Work

1. Some force moves a turbine (turbine is like a propeller)

a) Wind – moving airb) Nuclear – steam produced by nuclear reactionc) Hydropower – moving water

2. Turbine turns the generator. 3. Generator produces electricity 4. Electricity transmitted via the grid to homes.

Wind Energy

Energy derived from the motion ofair across Earth’s surface

What moves air across the earths surface?

How is wind converted to electricity?

Converting Wind to Electricity

Gloucester MA

• Settled in 1623 (older than Boston)

• First fishing port in the USA.

• Average onshore wind speed of 16 mph

750 feet

564 feet

492 feet

Gloucester Wind Turbines

• Varian Semiconductor constructed a 2.5MW 492ft wind turbine. Cost of $8 million, will save the company $1 million in electricity annually.

• Equity Industrial Partners constructed two 2.0MW turbines at a cost of $12 million, will save the company $500k annually.

• The city of Gloucester saves $500k annually, by having all electricity provided by wind.

Solar EnergyEnergy harnessed from the sun in the form

of heat or light

How does a solar panel generate electricity?

Dorchester Solar Farm

Dorchester Solar Farm

• 4,466 solar panels spread over 6 acres of land• 1500 MWh per year, saves 4,000 pounds of

SO2, 1,800 pounds of NOx, and 1.8 million pounds of CO2.

• This is the equivalent of generating electricity of 260 homes.

• Also, built upon contaminated soil, so its an environmental win/win