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Solar and Wind Power The Future of Clean Energy. The Problem with Non Renewable Energy Sources. Examples of non renewable energy sources: coal, fossil fuels, etc… They will run out eventually Bad for the environment Negative health effects. Solar Power. What is Solar Power?.
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The Problem with Non Renewable Energy Sources • Examples of non renewable energy sources: coal, fossil fuels, etc… • They will run out eventually • Bad for the environment • Negative health effects
What is Solar Power? • A renewable energy source • The conversion of solar power from the sun into heat or electricity • Uses solar panels • There are three main methods of obtaining solar power • Best suited for areas where there is low cloud cover that will block out the sunlight
Methods of Using Solar Energy • Photovoltaic cells • Consists of semi-conductors • As light hits the surface, energy is produced • Solar Thermal Electricity • A mirror is used to reflect the sunlight to a • central receiver • A fluid is circulated that drives a generator • The generator produces electricity • Solar Thermal Heater • Solar panels on roof absorbs sunlight • Sunlight is converted into energy that heats • the house
Advantages • Renewable • Produces no pollution or waste • If the area is sunny, solar energy can be used in remote areas where no other energy source is available • Require very little maintenance • Although expensive in the beginning, you will save a lot money in the long-term
Disadvantages • Doesn't work at night • Solar cells/panels can be very expensive • Can be unreliable unless you're in a very sunny climate. For example, it wouldn’t be very effective in the United Kingdom • Solar power isn't much use for high-power applications. It may just be enough to heat your house. To obtain decent amounts of solar power, you need a large area of solar panels.
The Effects of Solar Power on the. . . • Atmosphere: No release of pollutants • Lithosphere: No effect because solar panels are usually just installed on pre-existing buildings • Hydrosphere: No effect • Biosphere: Light is reflected off the panels. This light can distract birds and even airplane pilots. This can be dangerous.
Argentina • Solar power is being used to improve the lives of villagers in a small community in Argentina • The EcoAndina Foundation introduced solar powered stoves to the villagers so that they could cook food easily • Before the solar power cooking stoves were available, the villagers had to use fire wood • Since Argentina receives a good amount of sun, it definitely comes in handy
India • Currently, India relies on coal to provide power • The goal of the plan is to have 20 gigawatts of solar energy by the year 2022. • The entire project is estimated to cost about $20 billion.
SwitzerlandSolar Impulse Plane • The wings hold 11,628 solar cells. • The propellers are powered by four 100 kilogram lithium batteries. • The goal is to make the plane fly for 36 continuous hours
Solar Energy Power Plants Solar Power
What is Wind Power? • It is a renewable energy source • The use of the wind to produce electricity • Wind energy is the fastest growing energy source on earth • The rate at which technology is improving is making wind power more and more appealing • Most effective in areas that receive a decent amount of wind
Advantages • The wind is free • Does not cause green house gases or other pollutants. • Although wind turbines can be very tall, they only take up a small plot of land. Therefore, the land below can still be used (example: for agriculture) • Wind farms are appealing to the landscape. • Remote areas that have no other energy source available can use wind turbines to produce their own supply.
Disadvantages • The amount of wind available always varies. There will be times when they produce no electricity at all. • Wind turbines can be noisy. It can be equivalent to the noise of a car traveling at 70 mph. • Because wind turbines have to be anchored to the ground this could possibly impact soil structure. • They do not produce enough electricity to power large amounts of homes. • Birds and bats are threatened because they can get caught in the turbines.
The Effects of Wind Power on the. . . • Atmosphere: No release of pollutants • Lithosphere: The anchorage on the ground may affect the soil structure • Hydrosphere: No effect • Biosphere: Birds/bats get caught in the wind turbines. This could threaten the population of the birds.
Malawi • William Kamkwamba decided to build several wind mills in his small village • Using anything he could find in the junkyard, he was able to build five windmills, the biggest being about 37 feet tall • The windmills provide electricity and pump water in the small village
Vancouver • Wind turbine built on Grouse Mountain • Will provide the mountain with up to 25% of its power • The windmill will attract lots of tourists, which will create revenue for the mountain
The Good and Bad of Wind Power Wind Power
Conclusion • Investing in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power is very important • Solar and wind power provide clean energy • Both methods come with advantages and disadvantages • Hopefully, with rapidly growing technology, these two power sources will become used all over the world and replace non renewable sources
Bibliography • http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/alternative-energy/solar/india-to-increase-solar-power-capacity/ http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/alternative-energy/solar/solar-impulse-plane-tested/ • http://www.whywind.org/pb/wp_643568b8/wp_643568b8.html • http://windpowerbuzz.net/the-advantages-of-wind-power-generation • http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/coalvswind • http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/05/malawi.wind.boy/index.html • http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/coalvswind/ • http://blogs.journalism.cuny.edu/nycondeadline/tag/green/ • http://www.aweo.org/ProblemWithWind.html • http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/30088-really-big-things-solar-power-plant-video.htm • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfSaJW6m680