Renewable Energy. Warm Up As Review…What are some pros and cons of implementing solar power? Be...
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Transcript of Renewable Energy. Warm Up As Review…What are some pros and cons of implementing solar power? Be...
Renewable Energy
Warm Up
• As Review…What are some pros and cons of implementing solar power?
• Be ready to share out in 2 minutes
The bottom line…
Pro• Solar is a perpetual
resource• Once installed – solar power
is free• Clean – no emissions, no
pollution, no greenhouse gases
Con• Panels are expensive• Installation can be
expensive• No sun, no power• Regional (desert best)• Battery storage an issue• Efficiency of Panels
(currently)
Renewable Energy Resources
• Solar• Wind• Water• Biomass• Waves• Tides- moon’s gravity• Geothermal- Earth-heat
All generated by Solar radiation
Biomass
(wood, ethanol, biodiesel)
Wood Burning
20% of world’s population
Wood Fuel
• 7% of total energy usage globally• Charcoal is a fuel type created from smoldering
(burning) wood logs slowly in a low-oxygen environment
• Most wood fuel use (76%) is in developing nations, which make up 77% of the world’s population
• Wood accounts for 2% of total energy consumption in developed countries
Wood Fuel
• Wood fuel represents 50-90% of the energy usage in developing countries
• CAN be sustainable, but many countries over-harvest or mismanage forests
• Particulate matter and emissions an issue
Source: Union of Concerned Scientists
Biofuels
Ethanol Biodiesel (from vegetable oil)
Biofuels- fuels created from living organisms (mostly plant-based)
Are you a good witch or a bad witch?
Pro• Renewable if resources are
managed sustainably• Biofuels are cleaner than
burning fossil fuels- lower emissions
• Wood can easily provide heat for the home and for cooking
• Growing plants increases our ability to absorb CO2 released when burned; balances the carbon “checkbook”
Con• Does produce some air
pollution and greenhouse gases (combustion and/or machinery used for growing)
• Particulate Matter from wood smoke
• Competition for land used to grow the feed stock for fuels (ex: corn for ethanol)
• Burning wood does not provide as much energy as fossil fuels
Hydroelectric
How does it work?
Hoover Dam
To be or not to be….
Pro• Clean energy – no emissions
or air pollution once dam is built
• Cheap energy (once you pay for the dam itself)
Con• Large Amounts of Habitat
Destruction and ecological interference
• Human displacement- $$• Only available where there
are rivers and/or running water (regional)
Wind
How do wind turbines work?
• Windfarm in Southern California - built after the 70's energy Crisis
• Do wind turbine make noise?• A new kind of wind turbine for urban areas?
What’s one or two birds?
Pro• Completely renewable• Innovative designs for
different settings• Completely clean• Free power (once turbines
are built)
Con• Not able to provide the
entire world’s energy• No wind = no power• Complaints of noise and
bird killing• Some consider turbines
“eyesores” on the landscape
Geothermal
Geothermal Energy (Active)
Active Geothermal Map
Passive Geothermal:6 ft under is always 54 deg F
Use air from below ground to cool house in summer, warm in winter
The dirt on geothermal…
PRO• Once installed – cheap• No emissions, pollution or
greenhouse gases
Con• Expensive installation• Not able to provide enough
energy to meet world demands
• Must be able to access groundwater
• Best places for geothermal are very remote (Regional)
WHAT MAKES THE “SWITCH” TO RENEWABLES HARD?
Chalk Talk
Chalk Talk Rules
• A different question related to renewable energy will be placed on each lab table
• Speak with your pen, not your mouth• Respond to main question prompt or
another’s comment/question • RESPECTFUL ENTRIES ONLY!!!
Livingston Public Schools have solar panels on many of its school buildings. Why aren’t we
promoting them more?
When fossil fuels are gone, what will America look like with only renewable energy sources to rely on?
Why should reduction in energy demands be an essential component to ANY energy plan?
What are some ways you can reduce your energy consumption at home and school?
Germany is the world leader in renewable energy infrastructure. What are some reasons why
America’s renewable energy is not as popular?
What are some environmental impacts of renewable energy infrastructure?