Generating Electricity: Energy Conversions & Societal Issues Climate Change & You

The Sun begins the process for all forms of electricity through Photosynthesis.

Fossil Fuels start with the Sun: Coal, Oil, Natural Gas Fossil Fuels start with the Sun: Coal, Oil, Natural Gas. Decaying plants & Animals buried in the Earth decompose to form “fossil” fuel. Takes 500 million years. NONRENEWABLE because they can’t be replaced in a human lifetime. Pros: Inexpensive, mature technology, Creates Wealth for some Cons: Polluting Creates Greenhouse gases/Climate Change, Environmentally damaging

Generating Electricity in Society: Burn Fossil Fuels (CE) to create Steam (TE) to move a magnet(ME) inside a coil of wires to create electrical voltage (EM); then send that voltage/current to our homes

Electricity Generation: Burning Fossil Fuels Move a magnet inside a coil of wires to cause electricity in the wire

Alternative Energy approaches to generating electricity: “Green Energy” Solar, Wind, Hydroelectric, Biomass RENEWABLE sources of electricity because we don’t use them up to generate electricity. Pros: Non Polluting, Environmentally Friendly Cons: Expensive

Hydroelectricity starts with the Sun

Hydroelectric Energy Conversions

Wind energy starts with the sun

And of Course Solar Power is from the Sun Photovoltaic panels directly convert sun’s light (EM) to Electricity in a wire (EM) Pros: Non Polluting, Environmentally Friendly Cons: Expensive Must convert DC voltage to AC for home use