Alternative Resources Chapter 5: Section 3

Target Material: Alternative Energy Resources NuclearSolarWindHydroelectric Biological Matter GeothermalVocabulary Nuclear Energy Solar Energy Wind Energy Hydroelectric Energy BiomassGasohol Geothermal Energy

Nuclear Energy Fusion: Fusion: – Joins nuclei of small atoms to create larger atoms – Fusion reactions cause extremely high temperatures and cannot be handled outside a magnetic field – The Sun uses fusion to create light. Fission: Fission: – Most common production process for power plants. – Splits radioactive atoms to release energy – Fission is used to run the plant and to power thousands of homes. – The Chernobyl power plant used nuclear energy.

Assessing Nuclear Energy: Pros: Doesn’t use fossil fuels Provides jobs Produces little air pollution Can generate energy for very large areas in a single plant Cons: Produces radioactive waste Waste can stay radioactive for thousands of years; we don’t know how to dispose of it safely Unstable environment; prone to meltdowns Uses massive amounts of water for cooling towers and producing steam

Solar Energy Solar panels are used to capture sun’s energy Solar panels are used to capture sun’s energy Each day, the Sun produces enough energy to meet all our energy needs Each day, the Sun produces enough energy to meet all our energy needs Solar energy can be used to generate electricity and heat buildings/water Solar energy can be used to generate electricity and heat buildings/water The largest solar plant is supposed to be built in 2011 in Arizona The largest solar plant is supposed to be built in 2011 in Arizona

Assess Solar Energy: Pros: No pollution Reliable and quiet Good option for rural areas Government tax breaks Runs silently Nearly maintenance free Can sell extra power to companies Cons: Expensive Take up roof space and can be unsightly Some places don’t get much sunlight At night you have to rely on stored energy

Wind Energy Wind energy can be captured by windmills or turbines Wind power is tremendously powerful Wind farms are collections of wind turbines in one area California holds most of the wind turbines in the United States San Francisco could be powered by all the turbines in California

Assess Wind Energy: Pros: Wind farms can be built in a relatively short period of time Wind farm land can still be used; such as for cow pastures Little pollution Cons: Kill avian animals Cause light & noise pollution Takes up large areas Not consistent & not available in all areas Need maintenance for lightning damage

Hydroelectric Energy Hydroelectricity is made by harnessing the movement of water Hydroelectricity is made by harnessing the movement of water Water wheels have been used for centuries Water wheels have been used for centuries Water flows through huge dams to generate power Water flows through huge dams to generate power Salmon and Steelhead migration patterns are severely impaired by the blockage of rivers by dams Salmon and Steelhead migration patterns are severely impaired by the blockage of rivers by dams

Assessing Hydroelectric Energy: Pros: Clean Does not cause waste Tides are always active Highly efficient Cons: Disturb ecosystems Expensive installations Clear-cutting land Not available everywhere Power fluctuates in dry season Degrades water quality

Geothermal Energy Geothermal energy comes from hot springs Generators for geothermal energy are generally used for producing electricity Process of Geothermal Energy: – Groundwater is heated by magma – Well is drilled to reach groundwater – Steam rises through well – Steam turns turbines that generate electricity – Leftover water is returned to the ground

Assess Geothermal Energy: Pros : Mostly emission free, and may even take additional sulfur out of air Smallest land usage of any power production plant Pays for itself because it doesn’t need fuel There is more reusable geothermal energy than oil, coal, gas, and mineable nuclear fuels combined Cons : Initial cost is expensive Very selective areas (Alaska, Hawaii, western states)

Bio-Fuel Energy Bio-Fuels are any fuel made from biological material Bio-Fuels are any fuel made from biological material Any plant with sugar or starch can be used to make alcohol which can be mixed with gasoline to make gasohol. Any plant with sugar or starch can be used to make alcohol which can be mixed with gasoline to make gasohol. Burning wood is a common type of bio- fuel Burning wood is a common type of bio- fuel In developing countries where firewood is scarce, feces is used as a burning material to heat and power homes In developing countries where firewood is scarce, feces is used as a burning material to heat and power homes

Assess Bio-fuel Energy: Pros: Uses less fossil fuels than regular gasoline Uses less fossil fuels than regular gasoline Secure jobs in USA instead of depending on unstable connections to foreign oil Secure jobs in USA instead of depending on unstable connections to foreign oil Cons: Releases CO 2 & Methane into the air by burning Releases CO 2 & Methane into the air by burning Extra fertilizer puts more nitrous oxide in the air (a greenhouse gas) Extra fertilizer puts more nitrous oxide in the air (a greenhouse gas) Bio-fuels use more energy than they produce Bio-fuels use more energy than they produce Displace farm-land for crops Displace farm-land for crops Ethanol can clog engines and reduce vehicle performance Ethanol can clog engines and reduce vehicle performance