1. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Chapter 17
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

2. Vocabulary Active solar heating system Biofuel Cogeneration
Energy conservation
Energy efficiency
Geothermal energy
Hydropower
Super insulated house
Wind farm

3. Active Solar Heating System
A system that uses solar collectors from the sun and store it as heat for space heating and water heating.

4. Biofuel
Gas or liquid fuel made from plant material (biomass)

5. Cogeneration
Production of two useful forms of energy, such as high-temperature heat or steam electricity, from the same fuel source

6. Energy Conservation
Reducing or eliminating the unnecessary waste of energy

7. Energy Efficiency
Percentage of the total energy that does useful work and is not converted into low quality, usually useless heat in an energy conversion system or process

8. Geothermal Energy
Heat transferred from the Earth’s underground concentrations of dry steam, wet steam or hot water trapped in porous rock

9. Hydropower Electrical energy produced by falling for flowing water
In a Hydroelectric plant, the water spins a turbine to create energy

10. Super insulated house
House that is heavily insulated and extremely airtight

11. Wind Farm
Cluster of small to medium sized wind turbines in a windy area to capture wind and convert it to electrical energy

12. Objectives How can we improve energy efficiency?
-As individuals we can save energy and money by buying more efficient cars, lighting & heating systems, air conditioners and appliances

13. What are the advantages/disadvantages of using solar energy to heat buildings and water and to produce electricity?
Advantages:
Energy is free
Net energy is moderate to high
Quick installation
No CO2 emissions
Very low air and water pollution
Very low land disturbance
Moderate cost
Disadvantages:
Need access to sun 60% of the time
Sun blocked by other structures
Need heat storages system
Active system needs maintenance and repair

14. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using flowing water to produce electricity?
Moderate to high net energy
High efficiency
Large untapped potential
Lost-cost electricity
Long life span
No CO2 emissions
May provide flood control for a dam
Provides water for year-round irrigation of cropland
Reservoir is useful for fishing and recreation
Disadvantages:
High construction costs
High environmental impact from flooding land to form a reservoir
Floods natural areas behind dam
Converts land habitat to lake habitat
Danger of collapse
Uproots humans
Decreases fish harvest below dam

15. What are the advantages/disadvantages of burning plant material (biomass) to heat buildings and water, produce electricity, and propel vehicles?
Advantages:
Large supply in some areas
Moderate costs
No net CO2 increase if harvested and burned sustainably
Plantation can be located on semiarid land
Can make use of agricultural, timber, and urban wastes
Disadvantages:
Nonrenewable if harvested unsustainably
Moderate to high environmental impact
CO2 emissions if harvested and burned unsustainably
Plantation could compete with cropland
Often burned inefficient and polluting open fires and stoves

16. What are the advantages/disadvantages of
What are the advantages/disadvantages of extracting heat from the earths interior and using it to heat buildings?
Advantages:
Very high efficiency
Moderate net energy at accessible sites
Lower CO2 emissions than fossil fuel
Low cost at favorable sites
Low land use
Low land disturbance
Moderate environmental impact
Disadvantages:
Scarcity of suitable sites
Depleted if used too rapidly
CO2 emissions
Moderate to high local air pollution
Noise and odor
Cost too high except at the most concentrated and accessible sources

17. Objectives
How can we make a transition to a more sustainable energy future?
Energy policies must be developed now in order to phase new energy alternatives.
Pressure from citizens and consumers, the government and private companies need to promote and activate new ways of using our energy resources