Non-Renewable vs. Renewable Energy Sources

Energy Usage Lab Simulation Review What eventually happened to the percent of non-renewable resources and renewable used over time? What was the ultimate fate of the non-renewable resources? At current usage rates, could renewable resources currently sustain our society? Why does energy consumption increase every year? How did this impact our simulation?

Brainstorm: Lets list as many renewable energies as you can. What are the benefits of renewable energy? (List at lease 2)

Benefits of using Renewable Energy Sources There is a constant supply (We won’t run out) Less / no pollution

This Graph shows how much we use of each resource and how it has increased over time.

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and is about equal to the energy released in the burning of 1 wood match.

Generators are necessary for many renewable resources Generators are necessary for many renewable resources. A generator turns mechanical movement into electrical power due to the principles of electromagnetism. (Note: a motor does the opposite…it turns electrical power into motion! Can you think of some things that have motors?)

Inside of a motor

Most non-renewable sources also generate power through turbines and motors. (Even nuclear power)

How Wind Power works

How Hydroelectric works:

Solar Power Three challenges to solar power are: Generating high levels of power / Surface area needed and size of converters / access to sun

Geothermal Usage: Tapping into earth’s internal heat

Questions to Think About: So which type of renewable energy is the best? What are the challenges to using renewable energy? Why is more renewable energy not used? What do you think the energy of the future will be?

Could nuclear fusion be the energy of the future? What is fusion? (Review nuclear reactions) What are the benefits of nuclear fusion as an energy? What are the challenges in successfully attaining nuclear fusion?