1. Active Solar (think solar panels) Production – Use the sun’s energy to heat water or air Either stored or used immediately – Photovoltaic cells are used to generate electricity by taking the solar energy and converting to electricity

2. Active Solar Advantages Limitless solar energy Once the panels are made, emission free Store energy during the day and release at night

3. Active Solar Disadvantages and Environmental Effects Manufacturing the photovoltaic cells requires silicon, and this produces some waste product. Requires backup (battery or another system) for rainy/cloudy days Expensive Not very efficient Land use/habitat loss for large panel installation

4. Ethanol Production Ex. Corn (most common) The fermentation process: o the corn is crushed into a powder,, mixed to form a “mash,” enzymes and yeast are added, mixture is transferred to fermenters, where the sugar becomes ethanol and CO 2 o after 40-50 hours of fermentation, the resulting product goes to distillation columns, where the ethanol is separated and blended with natural gasoline

5. Ethanol advantages Domestically produced Lower emissions of air pollutants Waste can be used as livestock feed

6. Ethanol disadvantages and environmental effects Releases carbon dioxide Uses lots of land to grow crops Higher food costs Millions of gallons of water used in fermentation process

7. Hydroelectric Production Water is stored behind dams, and are released to spin turbines Turbines stationed in rivers are spun as the water runs downstream

8. Hydroelectric advantages Cost effective Flood control Recreation No pollution after it is created

9. Hydroelectric Disadvantages and environmental effects High initial costs Air pollution in creating of dam Destruction of habitat Diversion of rivers Restricts fish migrations Siltation Loss of nutrients downstream Displacement of people

10. Wind Production Wind turns the turbine blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to the generator and makes electricity

11. Wind Advantages Can generate in remote locations No waste once the turbines are constructed Cheap source of energy once constructed

12. Wind disadvantages and environmental effects Not consistent Noise pollution Pollution in creating of turbines Threats to birds and bats-may affect migrations Habitat fragmentation

13. Biomass production Biomass is any organic matter that can be used as an energy source -ie. wood, crops, seaweed, animal wastes Burn it, heats water, creates steam, turns turbines, generates electricity

14. Biomass advantages Available throughout the world Can be carbon neutral

15. Biomass disadvantages and environmental effects Releases carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrogen, sulfur Requires lots of land Releases particulate matter

16. Hydrogen Fuel Cells Production Combines hydrogen and oxygen to create water This reaction causes electrons to move therefore producing energy like electricity and heat

17. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Advantages Only byproduct is water highly efficient

18. Hydrogen Fuel Cells disadvantages and environmental affects Expensive and bulky Hydrogen may escape and destroy ozone layer Production causes pollution Transportation and storage of hydrogen is difficult

19. Passive Solar Production produced by the sun, then the solar energy is absorbed using natural materials with no moving parts or electrical devices

20. Passive Solar Advantages Requires no electricity or energy consumption No equipment to maintain Cost effective

21. Passive Solar disadvantages and environmental effects Not very reliable when it is not sunny High initial costs Geographically limited Production of passive solar designs causes pollution

22. Geothermal Production Using natural heat of Earths core The heat can be used for heating or used in the generation of electricity. For electricity, plants drill into ground, capture steam or hot water and use it to turn turbines

23. Geothermal advantages Doesn’t depend on weather Doesn’t take up much space Constant source of heat

24. Geothermal disadvantages and environmental effects High installation cost Some areas don’t have access, not efficient or economical to drill that deep Emits hazardous gases (carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide) Cannot be transported

25. Tidal/Wave Power Production Tidal waves push turbines that generate electricity

26. Tidal/Wave Advantages Consistent power generation Once built cost effective in long run Low maintenance Tides are predictable and steady

27. Tidal/wave disadvantages and environmental effects High initial costs Geographically limited Can harm marine life and affect migration patterns corrosion