1 / 25

Science Starter

Learn about solar, nuclear, wind, and hydroelectric energy sources in NC. Discover pros and cons of each method. Evaluate impact on environment and energy production.

johnd
Download Presentation

Science Starter

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Science Starter • What types of renewable energy sources do you think are available in North Carolina? • Can you think of any renewable energy sources that are near Charlotte?

  2. Today’s Agenda • Warm Up & Objective • Alternative Energy Sources Notes • Energy Articles • Energy Madness Brackets • Exit Ticket

  3. Alternate Energy in North Carolina SWBAT evaluate sources of alternate energy in North Carolina

  4. Political Connection! • NC is one of just a few states in the US that has a legislative renewable energy mandate.  The NC Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS) requires that NC utilities must have a percentage of their retail sales come from renewable energy sources by specific dates – up to 12.5% by 2021.  • By 2021, 12.5% of North Carolina’s energy must come from renewable energy sources!

  5. Solar Energy Alternate Energy Sources • Solar energy has two major advantages: • Instead of using fossil fuels, solar power technologies use photovoltaic (PV) panels to convert sunlight directly into electricity. This process involves no moving parts. PV systems can be very small (using only a few panels) or many panels can be connectedtogether to construct large systems.  1. Solar energy’s “fuel” is free. 2. Solar energy is non-polluting.

  6. Duke’s Smart Dorm • Duke’s Smart Dorm is a house on the campus of Duke University. This house is run almost entirely off of solar energy. • Tour of the Duke Smart Dorm • http://smarthome.duke.edu/dorm

  7. Solar Energy: Pros & Cons Pros • Once they are manufactured, solar panels produce no pollution • Once solar panels are paid for, they continue to provide free energy • Solar energy production is very quiet, unlike energy created from fossil fuels and other forms of energy Cons • Initial cost of solar panels • Weather can affect effectiveness of solar panels • Solar panels only work during daylight hours. This means they can only create energy during daylight hours, and must use stored energy during dark hours

  8. Nuclear Energy Alternate Energy Sources  In nuclear fission, the nuclei of heavy atoms such as uranium-235 are bombarded with neutrons.  The uranium nuclei split into smaller nuclei and emit neutrons and heat energy.

  9. North Carolina State University Nuclear Plant History of the reactor Cons from a nuclear plant

  10. Nuclear Energy: Pros & Cons Pros • Create very small amounts of pollution • Very reliable (require little to no outside fuel to operate) • High levels of electric energy can be created at one nuclear energy plant Cons • Radioactive waste (must be monitored for 10,000 years after it is used • Example: Chernobyl • Where was it? • What happened? • Threat of nuclear terrorism

  11. Wind Energy Alternate Energy Sources In the next 50 to 60 years, wind power could be used to create between 5 to 10 percent of the country’s demand for electricity.

  12. Wind Turbines Traditional Wind Turbine

  13. Modern Vertical Wind Turbine

  14. Wind in North Carolina

  15. Where are North Carolina’s Wind Turbines? Are there any near Charlotte?

  16. Wind Turbines: Pros & Cons Pros • Self-sustaining (does not require support from other resources or inputs) • Reliable • Causes little to no harm to plant and animal life on the ground Cons • Not 100% reliable (wind speeds must be at least 16 mph) • Avian mortality (bird killers!) • High initial cost

  17. Hydroelectric Power Alternate Energy Sources Hydroelectric poweris the power generated by falling water.  The water held in a reservoir behind a dam is a form of stored energy that can be released through the dam to produce electric power. The strong water flow that results drives turbines and electric generators.

  18. Cowans Ford Dam Cowans Ford Hydro Station is located in Huntersville, N.C., approximately 20 miles north of Charlotte on Lake Norman. It is the largest conventional hydro station owned by Duke Energy. Cowans Ford Dam created Lake Norman, the largest man-made body of fresh water in North Carolina. The lake provides a dependable supply of water to Lincoln County and the communities of Davidson, Mooresville, Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Huntersville.

  19. Hydroelectric Power: Pros & Cons Pros • Completely independent of fossil fuels • Can be shut off immediately (thermal plants can take hours, nuclear plants can take weeks) • Controls flooding • Very few breakdowns Cons • Disrupts natural ecosystems • Plant decay that is created as a result of dams can cause release of greenhouse gases • Expensive to build

  20. Energy Articles • Choose a partner in the classroom (only 2 people) • Both of you will receive an article about energy in North Carolina • Read the article to your partner and then list pros/cons about your energy type in the article on a piece of paper. Make it look nice! • You will have 10 minutes to do this for both!

  21. Exit Ticket • Return to your seats for the Exit Ticket!!

  22. Exit Ticket! • Name two types of alternative energy sources that are available in North Carolina • Give an example of one specific renewable energy facility that is in North Carolina. • Describe the pros and cons of the facility you chose in question #2.

More Related