STS 10 Chapter 15
STS 10 Chapter 15
STS 10 Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Renewable energy is energy from renewable resources that are naturally replenished on a human
timescale. Renewable resources include sunlight, wind, the movement of water, and geothermal heat.
Although most renewable energy sources are sustainable, some are not.
Renewable resources include solar energy, wind, falling water, the heat of the earth (geothermal), plant
materials (biomass), waves, ocean currents, temperature differences in the oceans and the energy of the tides.
Solar Energy
Solar energy is any type of energy generated by the sun. Solar energy can be harnessed directly or
indirectly for human use. These solar panels, mounted on a rooftop, harvest solar energy and convert it to
electricity.
Wind Energy
• Wind turbines operate on a simple principle. The energy in the wind turns two or three propeller-like
blades around a rotor. The rotor is connected to the main shaft, which spins a generator to create
electricity.
• Wind turbines are mounted on a tower to capture the most energy. At 100 feet or more above ground,
they can take advantage of faster and less turbulent wind.
• Wind turbines can be used to produce electricity for a single home or building, or they can be
connected to an electricity grid for more widespread electricity distribution.
Advantages of Wind Energy
• Clean and renewable source of power
• Cost effective
• Rapid growth of industry, large potential
Disadvantages of Wind Energy
• Wind reliability
• Threat to wildlife
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Tidal Energy
• Tidal Stream Generator
– Makes use of the kinetic energy of moving water to power turbines, in a similar way to wind
turbines that use wind to power turbines.
• Tidal Barrage
– Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in height between high and
low tides.
Advantages
– Clean fuel source compared to fossil fuels
– Domestic source of energy
Disadvantages
– Tidal power can have effects on marine life.
• The turbines can accidentally kill swimming sea life with the rotating blades.
• Some fish may no longer utilize the area if threatened with a constant rotating or
noise-making object.
• Installing a barrage may change the shoreline within the bay or estuary, affecting a
large ecosystem that depends on tidal flats.
Wave Energy
• Ocean waves contain tremendous energy potential.
• Wave power devices extract energy from the surface motion of ocean waves or from pressure
fluctuations below the surface.
Advantages
• Renewable
• Environmentally friendly compared to fossil fuel energy
• Variety of designs to use
• Less energy dependence from foreign governments
Disadvantages
• Can affect the marine environment
• May disturb private or commercial shipping
• Dependent on wavelength for best operation
• Poor performance in rough weather
• Visual/noise issues
Geothermal Energy
• (geo = earth and thermal = heat), geothermal energy comes from heat produced by the Earth.
• Geothermal energy is thermal energy in the Earth's crust. It combines energy from the formation of
the planet and from radioactive decay. Geothermal energy has been exploited as a source of heat
and/or electric power for millennia.
Advantages
• Renewable energy
• Cleaner than burning fossil fuels
Disadvantages
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Hydroelectric energy, also called hydroelectric power or hydroelectricity, is a form of energy that
harnesses the power of water in motion—such as water flowing over a waterfall—to generate electricity.
Hydroelectricity is a method of generating power by using flowing water sources like rivers, tides and
ocean currents.
Advantages
Renewable energy source
Pairs well with other renewables
Can meet peak electricity demand
Is inexpensive in the long run
Disadvantages
Some adverse environmental impact/ Drought potential
Expensive up-front/build
Lack of available reservoirs
Facilities rely on local hydrology
Biofuel
Biofuel is a fuel that is produced over a short time span from biomass, rather than by the very slow natural
processes involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as oil. Biofuel can be produced from plants or from
agricultural, domestic or industrial biowaste.
• The two most common types of biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel.
• Ethanol is an alcohol.
• Ethanol is mostly used as a fuel additive to cut down a vehicle's carbon monoxide and other
smog-causing emissions.
• Biodiesel is made by combining alcohol (usually methanol) with vegetable oil, animal fat, or recycled
cooking greases.
• It can be used as an additive to reduce vehicle emissions (typically 20%) or in its pure form as a
renewable alternative fuel for diesel engines.
Advantages
• Easy to source
• Renewable
• Reduces greenhouse gases
• Reduced dependence on foreign energy
Disadvantages
• Higher cost of production (lower supply than gasoline)
• Monoculture
• Shortage of food
• Water Use
Advantages Disadvantages
Renewable energy won't run out Renewable energy has high upfront costs
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy is the energy in the nucleus, or core, of an atom. Nuclear energy can be used to create
electricity, but it must first be released from the atom.
Nuclear power is an important low-emission source of electricity, providing about 10% of global electricity
generation. For those countries where it is accepted, it can complement renewables in reducing power sector
emissions while also contributing to electricity security as a dispatchable power source.
1. In a nuclear reactor, fuel rods full of uranium pellets are placed in water.
2. Inside the fuel rods, uranium atoms split, releasing energy.
3. This energy heats water, creating steam.
4. The steam moves through a turbine, which turns a generator to create electricity.
5. The steam cools back into water, which can then be used over again. At some nuclear power plants,
extra heat is released from a cooling tower.