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Chapter 17 . Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy . Vocabulary. Active solar heating system Biofuel Cogeneration Energy conservation Energy efficiency Geothermal energy Hydropower Super insulated house Wind farm . Active Solar Heating System.
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Chapter 17 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Vocabulary • Active solar heating system • Biofuel • Cogeneration • Energy conservation • Energy efficiency • Geothermal energy • Hydropower • Super insulated house • Wind farm
Active Solar Heating System • A system that uses solar collectors from the sun and store it as heat for space heating and water heating.
Biofuel • Gas or liquid fuel made from plant material (biomass)
Cogeneration • Production of two useful forms of energy, such as high-temperature heat or steam electricity, from the same fuel source
Energy Conservation • Reducing or eliminating the unnecessary waste of energy
Energy Efficiency • Percentage of the total energy that does useful work and is not converted into low quality, usually useless heat in an energy conversion system or process
Geothermal Energy • Heat transferred from the Earth’s underground concentrations of dry steam, wet steam or hot water trapped in porous rock
Hydropower • Electrical energy produced by falling for flowing water • In a Hydroelectric plant, the water spins a turbine to create energy
Super insulated house • House that is heavily insulated and extremely airtight
Wind Farm • Cluster of small to medium sized wind turbines in a windy area to capture wind and convert it to electrical energy
Objectives • How can we improve energy efficiency? -As individuals we can save energy and money by buying more efficient cars, lighting & heating systems, air conditioners and appliances
What are the advantages/disadvantages of using solar energy to heat buildings and water and to produce electricity? • Advantages: • Energy is free • Net energy is moderate to high • Quick installation • No CO2 emissions • Very low air and water pollution • Very low land disturbance • Moderate cost • Disadvantages: • Need access to sun 60% of the time • Sun blocked by other structures • Need heat storages system • Active system needs maintenance and repair
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using flowing water to produce electricity? • Advantages: • Moderate to high net energy • High efficiency • Large untapped potential • Lost-cost electricity • Long life span • No CO2 emissions • May provide flood control for a dam • Provides water for year-round irrigation of cropland • Reservoir is useful for fishing and recreation • Disadvantages: • High construction costs • High environmental impact from flooding land to form a reservoir • Floods natural areas behind dam • Converts land habitat to lake habitat • Danger of collapse • Uproots humans • Decreases fish harvest below dam
What are the advantages/disadvantages of burning plant material (biomass) to heat buildings and water, produce electricity, and propel vehicles? • Advantages: • Large supply in some areas • Moderate costs • No net CO2 increase if harvested and burned sustainably • Plantation can be located on semiarid land • Can make use of agricultural, timber, and urban wastes • Disadvantages: • Nonrenewable if harvested unsustainably • Moderate to high environmental impact • CO2 emissions if harvested and burned unsustainably • Plantation could compete with cropland • Often burned inefficient and polluting open fires and stoves
What are the advantages/disadvantages of extracting heat from the earths interior and using it to heat buildings? • Advantages: • Very high efficiency • Moderate net energy at accessible sites • Lower CO2 emissions than fossil fuel • Low cost at favorable sites • Low land use • Low land disturbance • Moderate environmental impact • Disadvantages: • Scarcity of suitable sites • Depleted if used too rapidly • CO2 emissions • Moderate to high local air pollution • Noise and odor • Cost too high except at the most concentrated and accessible sources
Objectives • How can we make a transition to a more sustainable energy future? Energy policies must be developed now in order to phase new energy alternatives. • Pressure from citizens and consumers, the government and private companies need to promote and activate new ways of using our energy resources