Introduction to Green Technology

Outcomes for unit… You will… Examine the consequences of technology in global manufacturing systems. Examine the consequences of technology in domestic use and consumption. Design and construct a model renewable energy system. Manipulate and test a renewable energy system.

What is Green Technology? Environmentally friendly technology Conserves natural resources Runs the gamut from generating power to non-toxic cleaning products Technology that utilizes the energy provided by renewable energy sources Innovative and sustainable

What is sustainability? Sustainability is… "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Bruntland Report for the World Commission on Environment and Development (1992)

Goals of Green Technology Rethinking Recycling Renewing Reducing Responsibility

Rethinking Radical thinking for fundamental changes… Instead of thinking, “Oh we can’t do that because…” we need to think, “Oh we need to do that because…”. What are some technologies that we could rethink the ways we design and build them?

Recycling Aggregates and concrete Paper Plastic Can Batteries Clothing Any thing else that we recycle?

Renewing Renewing (Renewable) Energy Wind Solar Water Tidal Geothermal Biomass (sort of)

Reducing Fuels – How much we use and which ones we use Waste – Creating less of it, especially waste that cannot be reused or recycled Energy Consumption – Lessening our carbon footprint

Responsibility Recognizing that there is only one world that we all share Realizing that if we can minimize the amount of damage we inflict on Earth; the longer we can live here Reconciling the idea that we might have to change some of our behaviours and habits

Types of Renewable Energy Wind Energy People have been using wind for thousands of years to pump water, to mill grain and power sail boats, etc. Wind turbines have a rotor that spins as the force of the wind rotates it. That rotation operates a generator inside the turbine which collects and produces power as the force of the wind (min. 14 kph) rotates the rotor.

Wind Energy

Types of Renewable Energy Solar Energy The sun actually gives us almost all the energy we use. It provides energy in two ways. We use the sun’s energy directly to heat air and water for use in the home. We use it indirectly by burning fossil fuels. Millions of years ago, the coal, oil and gas that we burn today were plants and trees. They stored the sun’s energy using a process called photosynthesis.

Solar Energy Passive Solar Heating

Types of Renewable Energy Hydro Energy When we use the energy in flowing water to produce electricity, we call it hydroelectricity. Hydroelectric dams trap flowing water, then release it again under greater pressure. Dams depend on kinetic energy, which is the energy something possesses when it is moving. The bigger the height difference between the upstream and downstream water level (the ‘head’), and the bigger the water flow through the turbines, the more electricity is generated.

Hydro Energy

Types of Renewable Energy Tidal Energy Tidal energy relies on the flow and ebb of the tide, caused by the gravitational pull of the moon A tidal barrage is a dam that is built across a river estuary or a bay on the coast. The gates are opened to allow the tide to flow in, and turn the turbines, which turn the generators to produce electricity. At high tide, the gates are closed and the water is held until the tide level outside the gates has dropped. Then the water is released to run through the turbines and turn the generators as it escapes. So electricity is generated by water flowing both in and out of the dam.

Types of Renewable Energy Tidal Energy A tidal stream generator works like an underwater wind turbine. Instead of using the rising and falling movement of the tides, tidal stream generators make use of the fast sea currents that flow as tides move in and out. Sea currents turn turbines, which turn the generators that generate electricity

Tidal Energy Tidal Stream Generator Tidal Barrage