Alternate Energy Sources

Starter 1. Which of the following natural resources is correctly paired with its extraction method? natural gas → hydrofracking peat → surface mining coal → harvesting wood → drilling 2. Which is a farming technique that could improve the soil and the environment? using fueled machines that will turn the soil continuously creating undisturbed layers of mulch in the soil placing inorganic chemical fertilizers in the soil irrigating the soil with salty water

Alternative Energy Scientists have developed energy resources that are an alternate to fossil fuels. Reduce gas emissions but are NOT sustainable Solar Energy Wind Energy Hydroelectric Energy Geothermal Energy Nuclear Energy Biofuels

Solar Energy Solar Energy uses photovoltaic (PV) panels to convert sunlight into electricity Used in mountainous areas, open areas like deserts North Carolina Solar House at NC State House is run entirely off of solar energy

Solar Energy Advantages Produces no pollution Very quiet Disadvantages: Initial cost of solar panels is expensive Only work during daylight hours.

Nuclear Energy In nuclear fission, uranium/plutonium nuclei split into smaller nuclei and emit neutrons and heat energy North Carolina State Nuclear Plant

North Carolina State University Nuclear Plant

Nuclear Energy Advantages: Create very small amounts of pollution Very reliable Disadvantages: Radioactive waste (must be monitored for 10,000 years after it is used Threat of nuclear terrorism/Meltdown

Wind Energy Using the energy of wind to power a turbine Advantages Done in coastal areas Advantages Self-sustaining Does not impact ecosystems Disadvantages: Not 100% reliable High initial cost Takes up a large amount of land

Modern Vertical Wind Turbine

Wind in North Carolina

Hydroelectric Power Hydroelectric power is the power generated by falling water. Water flows through a dam and turns a turbine Advantages: No fossil fuels Very few breakdowns Disadvantages: Disrupts natural ecosystems Expensive to build

Geothermal Energy Geothermal Energy takes heat from Earth’s interior Heat within the Earth raises the temperature of groundwater Water is converted to steam Can only be done near plate boundaries

Biofuels Biofuels are energy resources that come from living organisms. Bioethanol Biodiesel Biomass – Material left over from a once living plant or animal

Biofuels Advantages: Less expensive than gasoline Carbon Emissions are less than gasoline Are more quickly renewed than gasoline Disadvantages: Have lower energy output