How alternative energies work and their pros/cons

1. How alternative energies work and their pros/cons

2. Essential Question • What are the types of various alternative energy and how does it work?

3. Historical Background • As people become more aware of the use fossil fuels people are turning into alternative forms of energy. • However there are pros/cons

4. solar power • Energy that is powered by the sun • It’s been used since ancient times • AugusteMouchout made a steam engine powered by Solar energy but wasn’t popular at the time. • In 1960s the spacecrafts first use solar power.

5. Pro of Solar Energy • It uses an unlimited source of energy (sun) • Very clean • If someone owns it he/she can get less bills • Solar panels can operate by itself without being connected to a power or gas grid making it useful in far away places.

6. Con of Solar energy • It can only work at day time • Purchasing the solar panels are costly • Consumes too much land mass • Manufacturing the solar panels releases many harmful chemicals such as arsenic, gallium, and cadmium

7. Wind Power • Since ancient times, it’s been used to power ships and windmills • Wind power used increased by 25 percent over the past decade • Almost all of wind power electricity comes from turbines. • Due to it’s efficiency, many European nations adopted it as a source of electricity

8. Pro of Wind energy • Wind energy is unlimited (wind) • Wind Power cans “easy to integrate with existing power grid, co existence with other use of land, no fuel needed and economically competitive (Renewable energy 8). • “Wind Energy is the renewable energy source that had a higher growing in the last decade and can be considered a hope in future based on clean and sustainable energy”( Renewable energy 506)

9. Con of wind energy • Birds fly to the blades causing “avian mortality” • Can only work when it’s windy • Disrupts commerce and recreational activities if placed in the coasts • Produces noise pollution

10. Biofuels • Ford and Diesel are the first people to use biofuels • In 1973 biofuels came in the form of ethanol • Much of the gas in the US is made of partially ethanol • Fuel powered by plants

11. Pro of Bio Fuel • It’s made of plants and plants can grow again • Biofuels made from sugar cane produces 55 to 90 percent less carbon than gasoline • Brings new jobs to the economy • Biofuels powered by algae helps clean pollution

12. Con of Biofuels • Biofuels sometimes uses up the world’s food supplies • In some cases biofuels releases more carbon dioxide than fossil fuels

13. Geothermal Energy • Energy powered by magma from below the Earth • Used for thousands of years for heating and cooking • Many nations use it to provide heat

14. Pro of Geothermal Energy • Doesn’t bring out harmful emissions • Doesn’t release carbon dioxide • It is always available at any time • Geothermal power plants can work day and night

15. Con of Geothermal energy • The powerplants displaces wildlife • While not reliant on fossil fuels it releases harmful chemicals like hydrogen sulfide, a gas that smells like rotten egg at low concentrations and corrosive acids which can cause the power plants to explode

16. Hydropower • Energy powered by the power of water • Been used for thousands of years • Provides six percent of the world’s energy supplies

17. Pro of Hydropower • Use of fuel totally eliminated • Can be used for recreation • Free source of energy (water)

18. Con of Hydropower • Disrupts fish natural habitat and fishing industry suffers from this • In tropical areas it releases harmful emissions like carbon dioxide and methane • Causes low dissolved oxygen levels

19. Conclusion • Alternative energy have a pro and con • There are no current solutions as of now • Take the type of alternative that’s right for you