Alternative Energy Resources You will be able to identify alternative energy resources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biofuels.[5.7C]

What is an alternative source of energy?  An energy source that can be used instead of fossil fuels  It is usually a renewable or inexhaustible source of energy that could be used should fossil fuels run out

Why do we need alternative energy sources?  Burning fossil fuels has increased atmospheric pollution. Vehicle exhausts contribute to acid rain  The carbon stored in fossil fuels is released as carbon dioxide when they are burned – this leads to the green house effect * Don’t get this confused with the hole in the ozone layer – this was caused by CFC’s

Air pollution – CO2

So what are the alternative energy sources to fossil fuels? OOOOnce upon a time – nuclear power was seen as the answer. Huge amounts of power can be produced from a small amount of uranium. TTTThe waste is dangerous to health and life for hundreds of years. TTTThere is no secure place for storage. *Public confidence has also been shattered by the explosion at Chernobyl in 1986

Other hopes?  Now that nuclear power is considered too risky hopes lie with things like solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal & biomass energy.

Solar Energy Pros: -Available -No pollution Cons: Must be backed up by other sources of power on rainy days and at night

Wind Energy Pros: -Available -No pollution -inexpensive Cons: -Turbines can be damaged -Inconsistent supply * Some people do not like the look, sound, or threat to birds

Geothermal Energy Pros: -Reliable -No pollution Cons: -Not available everywhere

Hydroelectric Energy Pros: -No pollution -Reliable Cons: - -Disruptsecosystems

Biomass (biofuels) Pros: -Readily available -No pollution Cons: -Accumulation, harvesting and storage is expensive Cons: -Accumulation, harvesting and storage is expensive

Advantages of using inexhaustible or renewable sources of energy  They will always be available  They are clean and will not damage the Earth  There are several types – so one or more of them is present in each area  Most natural sources can be used on a small scale and serve local needs therefore cutting costs of transmitting the energy