I.Alternative energy: A.Still in development B.Energy that does not come from fossil fuels C.Alternative energy must be: 1.Cost efficient 2.Have minimal effects on the environment
II.Tidal Power A.Similar to a hydroelectric dam B.Tidal Drawbacks: 1.Expensive to implement 2.Few suitable locations
Sihwa Lake Tidal Power Station – S. Korea Built: 1994 Peak output: 254 MW ( MW turbines) Cost: $288 Million Size: About 12 mi 2 Google maps Link
III.Hydrogen A.Characteristics: 1.Abundant 2.No carbon – no pollutants associated with fossil fuels 3.Produces water vapor when burned B.Problems: 1.Takes a lot of energy to produce hydrogen 2.Energy used to make hydrogen comes from burning fossil fuels or other currently available energy sources
C.Challenges/Storage: 1.Using solar cells to split water molecules in to H 2 and O 2 2.Storage in pressurized pipelines 3.Could be stored in fuel cells A device that produces electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen
IV.Efficiency A.% of energy put into a system that does useful work 1.Efficiency = x 100 B.Most devices not efficient 2.Increasing efficiency may involve sacrifices or investments in new technologies energy in energy out
V.Efficient Transportation A.Internal combustion engines are very inefficient B.Hybrids: 1.Use electricity and gas 2.Cost more but are more efficient 3.Converts brake energy into electrical energy used to charge battery 4.Gas engine turns off at low speeds and stops
VI.Energy Conservation A.Process of saving energy by: 1.Reducing energy and waste B.On average US households spend $1,200.00/year on energy bills
1.Energy is wasted through: