Bell work – 5 minutes What is energy efficiency? Planner: Renewable energy notes Title of notes: Renewable Energy (pg. 20 RS) Open books to Pg. 550 http://www.tincherscience.weebly.com

learning about some common forms of renewable energy. Learning target I can explain the benefits and current status of renewable energy resources. Today I am… learning about some common forms of renewable energy. So that I’ll be able to… understand the alternatives to non-renewable energy. I’ll know I’ve got it when… I can write at least one sentence explaining the benefits and current status of renewable energy resources.

Why seek alternative energy? (Current status) Alternative energy resources are needed to replace fossil fuels, reduce air pollution, and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. About 8% of energy in the U.S. comes from renewable resources.

More than ½ of our energy comes from the combustion of fossil fuels. Energy in the U.S. More than ½ of our energy comes from the combustion of fossil fuels.

Developed vs. developing Developed nations use more energy per person than developing nations.

Geothermal energy Power derived from the Earth's internal heat. It can be found from shallow ground to several miles below the surface, and even farther down to the extremely hot molten rock called magma. These underground reservoirs of steam and hot water can be tapped to generate electricity or to heat and cool buildings directly.

Geothermal energy Write at least 2! Access is limited to locations where groundwater can be accessed Some activity triggers earthquakes Little environmental impact Reliable but limited to location Helps developing countries grow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCRDf7QxjDk

Biomass Wood, manure, corn stalks, grasses, grain are examples. In developing nations biomass supplies up to 90% of their energy. It can now power cars and generate electricity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ-cIVJuDks

Biggest current use is in homes and buildings. Solar energy Biggest current use is in homes and buildings. A 1.5 kilowatt PV system will keep more than 110,000 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere over the next 25 years. The same system will also prevent the need to burn 60,000 pounds of coal.

Solar energy Passive – Allowing the sun to enter through windows and naturally heating the house. Active – Using technology (collect, move, store heat) PV cells – Made of silicon. 2 plates: 1 with electrons When sun hits the plate it knocks some electrons loose which are attracted to the other plate. The flow of electrons from one plate to another creates an electric current. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDZzAIcCQLQ

Hydropower A dam blocks a river and water is stored in a reservoir. Natural movement of river is used to produce electricity.

Example of hydropower AZ / NV border – Hoover Dam Flooding along the Colorado River had to be controlled. The water-flow had to be harnessed to provide much needed water to the arid agricultural areas of California and Arizona. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpigNNTQix8

Non-renewable resource, but it is not a fossil fuel Nuclear power Non-renewable resource, but it is not a fossil fuel It is considered non-renewable because Uranium-235 is very rare in nature. 4.

Nuclear power Energy that holds nucleus particles together can be turned into heat energy. Power plants use the heat given off during fission as fuel to make electricity. 1. 2. 3. 4.

Nuclear power Matter – made up of atoms Atoms – have a nucleus (particles: protons and neutrons) Nuclear E. – Energy that holds these particles together in nucleus Nuclear fission – The nuclei of large unstable atoms (uranium / plutonium) are bombarded with neutrons. Nucleus breaks into smaller nuclei.

Nuclear power Write at least 2! Generates radioactive waste Doesn’t produce air pollution Produces a large amount of energy Nuclear plants (under normal conditions) are safer for workers than coal plants http://www.pbs.org/video/2220837749/

Renewable energy today Over 80% of our energy still comes from fossil fuels. Renewable energy depends on the location and is expensive.

Solar water fountain demo head outside

Pg. 550 - 551 Write down two important facts or definitions from the reading that we did not discuss during lecture. Bullet point them.

Create your own renewable power plant Name your power plant Must use any of the renewable resources we discussed Draw your power plant Label the drawing with description of how the renewable resource travels through your power plant Page 557 is a good example (it is on the next slide)