1. Renewable Resources Table Activity

2. Solar
Energy from the sun. The polar panels generate electric from light
Ad: Clean & becoming more affordable Dis: interruptions & still expensive
Solar energy uses semiconductors, which means they let electric flow through them when they get hot, but not when they get cold.
Renewable, solar panel, fossil fuels
8 out of 10

3. Geothermal Power derived from earth’s internal heat
Ad: can produce energy all the time, inexpensive, & produces very little CO2 Dis: could damage environment, smells like eggs, & interfere with geysers
Nearly 90% of Iceland residents live in geothermally heated homes
Energy, geothermal
Out of 10

4. Wind
Wind moves turbine. As it rotates the blades move a generator and electricity is created
Ad: wind cannot be used up & clean source of energy Dis: No wind=no energy & can kill flying animals
Wind turbines do not work with winds under 8 miles an hour or above 55 miles per hour
Turbine, wind energy,
9 out of 10

5. Biomass Biomass is burned by thermal conversion and used for energy
Ad: lots of algae & consistently available Dis: feedstocks aren’t replenished as quickly as they’re used & can create smog
Alga contains oils that can be converted to a biofuel
Biofuel, biomass, renewable
7 out of 10

6. Hydroelectric Energy made by moving water
Ad: water recycles itself & very affordable Dis: can block moving fish & can flood river banks
There are fish ladders to help fish get over dams
Dams, hydroelectric, water turbine
6 out of 10

7. Hydrogen Fuel cells convert hydrogen-rich fuel into electricity
Ad: fuel cells are very clean & self-sustaining Dis: None
Biogas produces hydrogen from organic waste
Fuel cell, electricity
10 out of 10

8. Ocean Two types thermal (suns heat) and mechanical (tides and waves0
Ad: unlimited source of power & great opportunity for jobs Dis: impacts on marine life & shipping industry
Tides are driven by gravitational pull of the moon, waves driven by wind
Wave power, ocean energy, currents,
6 out of 10

9. Cow Poop Uses methane from manure to make electricity
Ad: plenty of poop & new ideas to lessen air pollution Dis: traditional ways= air pollution & expensive
A typical cow produces 15 pounds of poop daily (that’s like a whole person)
List any vocab given
7 out of 10

10. Best to worst electric power sources:
1. Wind power 2. concentrated solar power (CSP) 3. geothermal power 4. tidal power 5. solar photovoltaics (PV) 6. wave power 7. hydroelectric power 8. a tie between nuclear power and coal with carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).