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Ch. 18.1 Renewable Energy Today

Ch. 18.1 Renewable Energy Today. A. Renewable Energy. Energy from sources that are constantly being formed . Life on Earth has always been powered by renewable energy – the sun !. A. Renewable Energy. Other forms of renewable energy: wind, biomass, moving water, Earth’s heat .

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Ch. 18.1 Renewable Energy Today

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  1. Ch. 18.1 Renewable Energy Today

  2. A. Renewable Energy • Energy from sources that are constantly being formed. • Life on Earth has always been powered by renewable energy – the sun!

  3. A. Renewable Energy • Other forms of renewable energy: wind, biomass, moving water, Earth’s heat.

  4. B. Solar Energy • Passive solar heating – uses the sun’s energy to heat something directly (i.e. sunlight coming through windows).

  5. B. Solar Energy • How? Homes positioned according to the yearly movement of the sun benefit most from passive solar energy.

  6. B. Solar Energy • Active solar energy – Sun’s energy is gathered by collectors and used to heat water or to heat a building.

  7. B. Solar Energy • Photovoltaic Cells – solar cells, often placed on roofs, that convert the sun’s energy into electricity. Also used in calculators and to power the space station.

  8. C. Wind Energy • Wind farms – large arrays of wind turbines, such as in California. Turbines spin, and this mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy.

  9. C. Wind Energy • The windiest spots on Earth could generate more than 10x the energy used worldwide.

  10. C. Wind Energy • Some farmers place 1 or 2 windmills on their land and then sell the electricity it produces to the power company!

  11. D. Biomass • Power from organic (living) things, such as plant material and manure. • Methane – gas produced from decomposing organic wastes. Can be burned to generate heat.

  12. D. Biomass • Alcohol – liquid fuels derived from biomass. • Ex. Ethanol – produced from corn and currently used as an alternative to gasoline in the Midwest.

  13. E. Hydroelectricity • Hydroelectric Dams – accounts for 20% of the world’s energy, making power affordable and renewable.

  14. E. Hydroelectricity • Benefits: • Inexpensive to operate • No air pollution

  15. E. Hydroelectricity • Disadvantages: • Creates a reservoir, flooding the land, and possibly displacing people from their homes • Can disturb ecosystems downstream

  16. E. Hydroelectricity • Micro-hydropower: • Used in developing countries • Floating turbines used in small streams

  17. F. Geothermal Energy • Power from the Earth’s heat – used to heat water and form steam, which turns a turbine, thereby producing electricity.

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