1. Renewable Resources

2. Renewable VS Nonrenewable Resources
Renewable resources are natural resources that can be replenished over a short period of time EX: wood, solar, etc
Nonrenewable resources are natural resources that cannot be replaced EX: fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and natural gas

3. Renewable Resources
As we continue to use up our nonrenewable resources, we will eventually need to turn to alternative sources of energy, such as:
Solar power
Wind power
Geothermal power
Biofuels
Hydroelectric
Wave Power
Nuclear Power

4. Solar Power Solar power is the use of the Sun as a source of energy
Advantages:
No pollution, no noise, little maintenance to keep up solar cells
Disadvantages:
Solar cells and panels expensive, cannot be used 24 hours a day (storms, etc), no way to store the power harnessed by the Sun

5. Wind Power Wind power uses wind as a source of energy Advantages:
No pollution, free source of energy
Disadvantages:
Requires lots of space, no way to store energy, wind strength not constant, cannot be accessed 24 hours a day

6. Geothermal Power
Geothermal power uses thermal energy heated and stored in the Earth. The heated rocks below the Earth’s surface heat up water to create steam. Holes are then drilled into these specific geothermal regions so that the steam can escape. The steam is then used to turn turbines for energy

7. Geothermal Power Advantages:
No pollution, little maintenance once built
Disadvantages:
Cannot build geothermal power plants everywhere, possible to run dry or lose steam

8. Biofuels
Biofuels are fuels (like wood or ethanol) composed of or produced from biological raw materials
Advantages:
No pollution, biofuels can be manufactured from a wide range of materials including crop waste, and manure, Because biofuels are produced locally, biofuel plants can employ new workers, creating new jobs in rural areas. Biofuel production will also increase the demand for suitable biofuel crops, providing economic stimulation to the agriculture industry.
Disadvantages:
Lower energy output and require greater quantities to produce the same energy levels, requires lots of land to grow crops, and massive water use

9. Hydroelectric Power
Hydroelectric Power is a form of energy generated by the conversion of free-falling water to electricity

10. Hydroelectric BENEFITS It can supply electricity at low cost/KWH
No pollution
Very high efficiency (80%)
Already in place in many countries
Recreation dollars
CONCERNS
Dams can negatively impact humans and environment

11. Wave Power
Wave power uses the energy from waves to create a sustainable alternative energy source
Advantages:
The energy is free - no fuel needed, no waste produced, not expensive to operate and maintain, and can produce a great deal of energy.
Disadvantages:
Must be able to withstand rough weather, must be in a location to harness wave power, needs a suitable site with consistently strong waves

12. Wave Power

13. Wave Power

14. Nuclear Power
Fission – recall from astronomy that fission is the breaking apart of one larger atom into two or more smaller atoms
Tremendous amounts of energy are also released during fission reactions

15. Nuclear Power Advantages:
The amount of fuel required (uranium) is very small (Related to one kilogram, uranium-235 contains two to three million times the energy equivalent of oil or coal)
A tremendous amount of energy can be released from the small quantity of fuel
(1 kg = 45,000 kWh of electricity)
Disadvantages:
As a result of performing fission reactions, radioactive waste is generated and must be disposed of somewhere.

16. Disadvantages of Nuclear Power
FEAR of…

17. What parts of NC can use renewable resources?
Clearly the coastal areas, because they are located close to shore, could benefit from using wave power or even wind power with the constant sea breezes
Potential for Wind Power in NC
Red = Exellent
Orange =
Good
Green =
Marginal