Renewable Resources

1. Renewable Resources

2. Note cards for mobile • Write how the alternative energy resource works • Write two advantages • Write two disadvantages

3. Solar Energy from the Sun • How It Works • Photovoltaic or photoelectric cells are used to convert sunlight directly into electricity. • Uses • Heat water, cook food, power lights, used on satellites • Renewable • Yes, as long as the Sun remains burning • Advantages • Free • Does not need fuel • Produces no waste or pollution • Safe • Disadvantages • Large power cells are expensive. • Needs mostly sunny climate • Energy has to be stored.

4. Photovoltaic or Photoelectric Cells

5. Wind Energy from Moving Air • How It Works • Wind is converted into electrical or mechanical energy. • Uses • Produce electricity, used on satellites • Renewable • Yes, as long as the Sun heats the air and causes winds • Advantages • Free • Does not need fuel • Produces no pollution • Disadvantages • Doesn’t work without wind • Can be noisy • May kill birds

6. Wind Energy

7. WavesEnergy from the Ocean • How It Works • Wind is converted into electrical or mechanical energy. • Uses • Produce electricity • Renewable • Yes, as long as wind blows across water • Advantages • Free • Does not need fuel • Produces no waste • Can produce a great deal of energy • Disadvantages • Needs strong and consistent waves • Can be noisy • Equipment must be able to withstand very rough weather.

8. Wave-Tide Energy

9. Geothermal Energy from Below the Crust • How It Works • Steam is collected and used to drive a turbine (engine). • Uses • Produce electricity, heat homes • Renewable • Yes, as long the rocks remain heated by magma • Advantages • Needs little or no fuel • Minimal physical impact on the environment • Disadvantages • Dangerous gases can come up from underground. • Power plants can only be built in specific locations.

10. Geothermal Energy

11. Hydroelectric Energy from Falling Water • How It Works • The kinetic energy of falling water is converted to electrical energy. • Uses • Produce electricity • Heat/cool homes • Renewable • Yes, as long as the water cycle continues • Advantages • Very reliable • Water can be stored in dams for future use. • Disadvantages • Expensive to build dams • Causes upstream flooding

12. Hydroelectric Energy

13. Biofuel Energy from Organic Material • How It Works • Biofuel energy works by using fuels from living or dead biological organisms. • Uses • Replaces gasoline or diesel for vehicles • Renewable • Yes, as long as there is organic material/waste being produced. • Advantages • Reduces waste materials • Fuel tends to be cheap. • Disadvantages • When burned, it creates greenhouse gases.

14. Biofuel

15. Energy from Other Sources • Tidal • Uses the tides to generate energy • Nuclear • Splits the atom to produce energy • Waste • Burns garbage to produce energy • Hydrogen Cells • Converts hydrogen gas and oxygen to electricity • All forms of energy have advantages and disadvantages.