Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy Definition: Energy from sources that are constantly being formed 5 Types of Renewable Energy: Solar energy Wind power Biomass Hydroelectricity Geothermal energy

Solar Energy Definition: Energy from the sun 2 Types of Solar Energy: Passive Solar Heating Active Solar Heating

Passive Solar Heating Definition: Uses the sun’s energy to heat something directly Example: Passive solar buildings oriented according to the yearly movement of the sun

Passive Solar Heated House

Passive Solar Heated House Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYAnsYdtRNE

Active Solar Heating Definition: Gathering of solar energy by solar collectors which is used to heat water or a building

Active Solar Water Heater

Solar Panels Definition: Convert the sun’s energy into electricity

Photovoltaic Cells (PV) Definition: Technical name for "solar cells" Captures the sun's energy

How Photovoltaic Cells Work 1. Sun light is absorbed by phosphorous and boron enriched silicon 2. Electrons are knocked loose from the silicon by the sun light

How The Electrons are Used 1. Electrons are captured in a battery in the form of direct current (DC) 2. An inverter converts DC into alternating current (AC) which is the type of electrical current used in our homes

How the Sun's Energy is Turned into Electricity

How Much Energy 1 Photovoltaic Cell Produces 1 - 2 Watts

Pros for Photovoltaic Cells Gives off no pollution Able to get electricity in remote locations

Cons for Photovoltaic Cells Produces a very small amount of electrical current Require extended periods of sunshine to produce electricity Very expensive to make photovoltaic cells

Solar Panels on a Roof

Solar Powered Calculator

Solar Powered Car

How Solar Panels are Made and Net Zero Home Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYeynLy6pj8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CBod7xTGeI&p=E3256AD5D1073A73&playnext=1&index=2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jsqf5CEUI0&feature=related

Wind Power Definition: Converting the movement of wind into electric energy

How Wind Turbines Work 1) Blades catch wind and spin 2) Generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy 3) Cable carries electricity to a power line

Pros for Wind Power Cost effective Can be built quickly Take up little space

Cons for Wind Power Finding spots windy enough to put them Transporting electricity from rural areas to urban areas

Wind Farm

Wind Power Clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFPj9frhKuo

Biomass Definition: Plant material, manure and any other organic matter that is renewable that can be used as an energy source Examples: Wood Dung Alcohol (Ethanol)

Pros for Biomass Renewable Resource Burning dung can bring energy to power stations Ethanol produces less air pollution than fossil fuels

Cons for Biomass Renewable Resources are being used faster than they can be replaced Methane is released into the air when dung is burned Fossil fuels are needed to produce Ethanol

Corn Ethanol Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9QQcP_Y1II

Hydroelectricity Definition: Energy is produced by moving water

How Hydroelectricity Works 1) Water from river enters the penstock and the force of the water powers the turbine 2) The turbine then powers a generator which produces electricity 3) Water is released into a reservoir

Pros of Hydroelectricity Dams are inexpensive to build and operate Does not cause air pollution Hydroelectric dams last a very long time

Cons of Hydroelectricity Dams disrupt ecosystems Floods can occur behind dams Difficult to find locations that are suitable enough to build a dam

Hydroelectricity Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEL7yc8R42k

Geothermal Energy Definition: Energy obtained from heat in the Earth’s crust

How Geothermal Energy Works 1) A pipe is placed deep in the ground to reach hot steam inside the Earth 2) The hot steam rises and turns turbines which generate electricity 3) Leftover water is pumped back into the rock

Pros of Geothermal Energy Does not produce any pollution Plants do not take up a lot of space

Cons of Geothermal Energy Expensive to build plants Difficult to find hot spots to get steam from

Geothermal Energy Clips http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfUQy86ZMpQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ajqiPe_9Ko&feature=related