Renewable Energy
Warm Up As Review…What are some pros and cons of implementing solar power? Be ready to share out in 2 minutes
The bottom line… Pro Solar is a perpetual resource Once installed – solar power is free Clean – no emissions, no pollution, no greenhouse gases Con Panels are expensive Installation can be expensive No sun, no power Regional (desert best) Battery storage an issue Efficiency of Panels (currently)
Renewable Energy Resources Solar Wind Water Biomass Waves Tides- moon’s gravity Geothermal- Earth-heat All generated by Solar radiation
Biomass (wood, ethanol, biodiesel)
Wood Burning 20% of world’s population
Wood Fuel 7% of total energy usage globally Charcoal is a fuel type created from smoldering (burning) wood logs slowly in a low-oxygen environment Most wood fuel use (76%) is in developing nations, which make up 77% of the world’s population Wood accounts for 2% of total energy consumption in developed countries
Wood Fuel Wood fuel represents 50-90% of the energy usage in developing countries CAN be sustainable, but many countries over- harvest or mismanage forests Particulate matter and emissions an issue
Source: Union of Concerned Scientists
Biofuels EthanolBiodiesel (from vegetable oil) Biofuels- fuels created from living organisms (mostly plant-based)
Are you a good witch or a bad witch? Pro Renewable if resources are managed sustainably Biofuels are cleaner than burning fossil fuels- lower emissions Wood can easily provide heat for the home and for cooking Growing plants increases our ability to absorb CO2 released when burned; balances the carbon “checkbook” Con Does produce some air pollution and greenhouse gases (combustion and/or machinery used for growing) Particulate Matter from wood smoke Competition for land used to grow the feed stock for fuels (ex: corn for ethanol) Burning wood does not provide as much energy as fossil fuels
Hydroelectric
How does it work?
Hoover Dam
To be or not to be…. Pro Clean energy – no emissions or air pollution once dam is built Cheap energy (once you pay for the dam itself) Con Large Amounts of Habitat Destruction and ecological interference Human displacement- $$ Only available where there are rivers and/or running water (regional)
Wind
How do wind turbines work? Windfarm in Southern California - built after the 70's energy Crisis Windfarm in Southern California - built after the 70's energy Crisis Do wind turbine make noise? A new kind of wind turbine for urban areas?
What’s one or two birds? Pro Completely renewable Innovative designs for different settings Completely clean Free power (once turbines are built) Con Not able to provide the entire world’s energy No wind = no power Complaints of noise and bird killing Some consider turbines “eyesores” on the landscape
Geothermal
Geothermal Energy (Active)
Active Geothermal Map
Passive Geothermal: 6 ft under is always 54 deg F Use air from below ground to cool house in summer, warm in winter
The dirt on geothermal… PRO Once installed – cheap No emissions, pollution or greenhouse gases Con Expensive installation Not able to provide enough energy to meet world demands Must be able to access groundwater Best places for geothermal are very remote (Regional)
WHAT MAKES THE “SWITCH” TO RENEWABLES HARD?
Chalk Talk
Chalk Talk Rules A different question related to renewable energy will be placed on each lab table Speak with your pen, not your mouth Respond to main question prompt or another’s comment/question RESPECTFUL ENTRIES ONLY!!!
Livingston Public Schools have solar panels on many of its school buildings. Why aren’t we promoting them more?
When fossil fuels are gone, what will America look like with only renewable energy sources to rely on?
Why should reduction in energy demands be an essential component to ANY energy plan?
What are some ways you can reduce your energy consumption at home and school?
Germany is the world leader in renewable energy infrastructure. What are some reasons why America’s renewable energy is not as popular?
What are some environmental impacts of renewable energy infrastructure?