Chapter 17

1. Chapter 17 Test Review Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

2. What is the least efficient method of space heating? • Electric (either through nuclear or oil production • Best is passive solar

3. What would encourage the Solar-Hydrogen Revolution? • High oil prices, lack of supply • Government subsidies, research funds

4. What percent of people in developing countries heat their house with wood or charcoal? • 70 percent

5. Which way in the US should windows face to gather solar energy? • South toward the Sun

6. What effect does keeping energy prices low have on the US? • Increases waste, reduces need to investigate alternative energy sources

7. What are the effects of burning biomass? • Increased CO2 • Increased air pollution (soot, smoke) • Increased NO, leads to acid rain

8. What is cogeneration? • Two forms of energy are created from the same fuel source, usually electricity and heat

9. What would the development of renewable energy resources do to the US? • Eventually eliminate the need of oil imports

10. What is the fastest growing energy resource? • Wind power, but it is losing its appeal, solar should be rising soon

11. What are the cells that convert sunlight into electricity called? • Photovoltaic (solar) cells

12. What does requiring high fuel efficiency in cars do? • Reduces CO2 emissions • Reduces air pollution • Conserves energy resources

13. Describe a wind farm • It is where farmers plant and grow wind from cloud seed • Or the large scale production of electricity with wind turbines

14. What is produced when you burn hydrogen gas? • Water and energy – no real pollution

15. How can industry reduce its energy consumption? • Recycling and reusing more materials • Using cogeneration • Redesigning factories to be more energy efficient

16. What is magma? • Did you picture Mike Meyers as Dr. Evil with his little finger at the corner of his mouth saying “mag-ma”… or was it just me? • Hot, liquid rock that can be used for energy

17. Describe the different types of hydroelectric power • Large scale- big dams, large turbines • Small scale – little dams • Pumped storage – costs more, but can be used when needed

18. How can we increase the energy efficiency of buildings? • Insulation, double paned windows, cogeneration, changing lighting, using passive solar heating, buying “energy star” equipment

19. How can we improve energy efficiency for the entire country? • Deport all the republicans • Jokes people, come on, Jokes • Car maintenance, better fuel efficiency, car pooling, mass transportation

20. Describe wind power’s pros and cons • Not always available, kills birds, ugly, back up needed, noisy • No pollution, low long term cost, high energy efficiency

21. What are four examples of renewable energy? • Wind • Water • Geothermal • Biomass

22. Which energy resource improves the quality of the environment the most? (Not what you think) • Increased energy efficiency

23. Describe biomass fuels • Direct burning of plants and trees • Gaseous biofuels- SNG, wood gas • Liquid biofuels- Ethanol, Methanol,Gasohol

24. What would be a good type of tree to grow for a biomass plantation? • Fast growing trees like poplar, sycamore, cottonwood

25. What does the government do to manipulate which energy source is used? • Price control • Subsidies • Regulations • Tax breaks

26. What is the primary component of solar cells? • Transparent wafer containing semiconductor material usually made from silicon

27. Name some disadvantages to hydroelectric power • High construction cost • Flooding upstream, decreased flow downstream • Decreased silt downstream

28. What is a micropower system? • Many smaller power generating systems are used and connected via an electricity grid • Use alternative energy sources appropriate to the energy

29. Which major country in the world has not made a formal commitment to rely primarily on renewable sources for energy? • Go US!

30. The most expensive way to heat your house is by using what? • Electric heater • The best is by passive solar combined with superinsulation

31. What type of water heater is the most efficient? • A tankless instant water heater powered by natural gas

32. Which countries probably will not adopt solar cell technology in the future and why? • Northern Countries due to the lack of available sunshine

33. What are the pros and cons of using geothermal energy? • High efficiency, low CO2 emissions, low land use, moderate environmental disturbance • Few available sites, moderate air pollution, noise and odor

34. What is the best (most efficient) way to heat a house? • A small nuclear power plant in the corner of the main living room • Or passive solar if you do not like to glow at night

35. Which fossil fuel has the lowest environmental impact? • Natural gas

36. Give three examples of passive solar design for homes • Direct gain – south facing window • Sunspace attached – room to capture heat attached to house • Earth Sheltered – keeps house cool in high temperature climates

37. According to Amory Lovins, what is the fast, cheap, easy way to gain more energy without environmental damage? • Energy conservation or eliminating energy waste

38. Name some of the disadvantages of using biomass as an energy source • Uses needed land • Hard to harvest sustainably • Desertification is typical • Often burnt inefficiently releasing a large amount of pollutants

39. That’s all folks • You should now know all these concepts • Good luck and good hunting