Exploring Green Energy: Definitions, Sources, and Advantages

1. What is green energy?

2. Definition There is no one definition for green energy. What do you think of when you think of green energy? Why?

3. Energy Efficiency • What is energy efficiency? • Five Quick Ways to Save Energy: • Turn off lights, computer, and other electrical devices when you are not using them • Replace regular lightbulbs • Don’t leave the refrigerator door open • Take a short shower • Plant a tree

4. Non-renewable sources • Sources of energy that are fixed within the earth • Abundant, but cannot be replaced • Most energy companies use a combination of non-renewable and renewable sources

5. Coal • Advantages of coal: abundant, inexpensive and available within the U.S. • Produces over 50% of electricity • New technologies are making coal “cleaner” • One turns coal into a gas, removing the impurities before it is burned • The other heats the coal to higher temperatures and pressure

6. Natural Gas • Gaseous, combustible mixture found deep in the earth in between layers of rock • Formed at the same time as oil • Natural gas molecules move into porous areas and escape into the earth’s atmosphere or are trapped by non-porous rock • Drill rigs form wells and natural gas is transported to the plant through an extensive pipe system

7. Nuclear • Nuclear energy produces one-third of the electricity in 12 states • As demand for electricity increases, nuclear energy is an environmentally-friendly choice • Nuclear power plants only release steam into the atmosphere • Safety is the top priority

8. Renewable Energy • Definition: materials that can be replaced through natural and/or human processes • Always available: solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, and geothermal • New ways to use these resources are being developed

9. Wind • Fastest growing source of electricity • Wind turns turbines, which generate electricity • California and Texas have the most wind turbines • You will be building a wind turbine during this summer camp!

10. Solar • Sun emits light and heat energy at a tremendous rate • Collect and control for generating electricity • Solar technologies include solar cells (photovoltaics), solar thermal electric and solar heating

11. Hydropower • Accounts for 90% of renewable sources or 8-12 percent of the total generation of electricity • Provides the majority of power for Washington stateand Idaho • Dams form a reservoir of water which then goes through a pipe and pushes the blade in a turbine • Future: technology to use ocean waves

12. Biomass/Biofuel • Stored solar energy in living organisms as well as forest and agricultural residue • Includes things such as dead trees, yard clippings, leftover crops or sawdust from lumber mills • Can also be converted into gaseous fuels for other uses such as transportation

13. Geothermal • Use heat generated by the earth’s interior • Steam and heat is found in rocks and fluid within the earth’s crust • Hot water is brought to the surface—steam is separated from the liquid—steam turns a generator • Energy can be used on a smaller scale with geothermal heat pumps that warms homes and buildings