1. Know alternative energy resources and how they may contribute to world energy production. Explain the importance of ‘alternative energy’ resources. Assess the present and future role of alternative energy resources.

2. What is Biomass Energy? Some biomass fuels (small trees, wood residues and forest litter) are CARBON NEUTRAL Biomass energy is generated through burning the fuel in a power boiler. This produces steam which drives a turbine and generator to make electricity

3. Why are alternative energy resources so important? Fossil fuels are a finite resource and there are concerns over the exhaustion of reserves. The impact of emissions on the environment e.g. climate change, acid rain etc. The cost of building new large energy installations is very high. About half of all the carbon that humans have pumped into the atmosphere since 1750 has been emitted in the last 40 years.

4. The sustainability stool! When sustainable development is mentioned remember the sustainability stool and how it is all about interconnecting social, economic and environmental elements.

5. The Role of Alternative Energy Resources Alternative Energy Concerns over fossil fuel reserves Price increases in traditional energy sources Increased investment in new green energy Renewable energy becoming an important industry in a number of countries Produce higher cost electricity than traditional sources Alternative energy becoming cheaper as technology improves More desirable as governments legislate in favour of it

6. SOLAR POWER: Photovoltaic Systems, Thermal Power Plants, Solar Towers. Photovoltaic systems: these are the solar panels seen most often on houses. Cells capture the suns energy and convert it directly into electricity. Solar thermal power plants: heat from the sun is collected by large mirrors and used to heat a fluid. The steam produced by the heated fluid powers a generator that produces electricity Solar towers: use tracking mirrors to focus the suns heat onto a receiver at the top of the tower. Molten salt is used to transfer the heat into steam which turns the turbine.

7. The world’s largest solar power tower in Seville, Spain. It powers 10,000 homes with renewable energy.

8. In 2009 the world relied on renewable sources for around 13.1% of its primary energy supply, according to IEA (International Energy Agency) statistics. Renewables accounted for 19.5% of global electricity generation and 3% of global energy consumption for road transport in the same year. Solar energy produces less than 1% of global energy, but over the last five years has averaged a 50% annual growth rate.

9. Wind Power At the end of last year, global capacity was more than 70,000 megawatts. Average growth rate of over 25% over the past five years.

10. Biomass Energy Currently, biomass comprises 10.6% of the world’s total energy supply. Biofuel provides around 3% of the world’s fuel for transport. (In Brazil, biofuel provides 23% of all transport fuel, compared with 4% in the United States and 3% in the European Union).

12. Geothermal Power Total geothermal electricity capacity was 11.7 GW at the end of 2012. Capacity was led by the U.S. with 3.4 GW of capacity, followed by the Philippines at 1.9 GW, Indonesia at 1.3 GW, Mexico at 1.0 GW, and Italy at 0.9 GW. On a per capita basis, Iceland leads the world with 0.7 GW of capacity, which accounted for 30% of the country’s electricity in 2012.

16. Tidal Power As the tide comes in water passes through the barrage to the landward side. At high tide the sluice gates are shut trapping the water. When the tide goes out on the seaward side of the barrage the sluice gates open. Water flows through the barrage, driving turbines and generating electricity. Power can be generated both ways. Only a few tidal energy sites are in operation around the world. Larger sites include the White Sea in Russia and the Rance River in France (the largest site in the world). Smaller tidal power plant have been built in Canada, such as the site at Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia, and several in Norway. Together they have a total capacity of less than 250 MW.

17. World’s first lagoon power plants unveiled in UK £1bn Swansea lagoon could provide power for 155,000 homes for 120 years. 60 long-term operational jobs – up to 90 linked to visitor spending. Intention is to supply 8% of UK’s domestic electricity by building 6 full- scale tidal lagoons by 2023.

18. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Closed System: 1.Warm surface water is hot enough to boil a fluid with a low boiling point, such as ammonia. 2.The gas from the boiling fluid creates enough pressure to drive a turbine that generates electricity. 3.The gas is then cooled by passing it through cold water pumped up from the ocean depths. 4.The gas condenses back into a liquid that can be used again. 5.The water is returned to the deep ocean. Open System: 1.Warm surface sea water is pumped into a low pressure vacuum chamber (1% to 3% atmospheric pressure). 2.The water boils and the steam drives a turbine and generates electricity. 3.Cold deep level water cools the steam into fresh (desalinated) water, suitable for drinking or irrigation.

19. Very limited use globally – trials in Hawaii & Japan produced 240kw

20. Case Study 1: Germany and Renewable Energy

21. Case Study 2: Renewable Energy in the U.K. – the National Picture. Visit the DECC website and choose the link to ‘Statistics at DECC’, then choose ‘Energy Sector Statistics’ and finally ‘Renewables Statistics’. Make note of the most recent trends (Energy Trends) – how much of our energy comes from renewables, which types of renewables are most important, how has renewable energy use changed over time etc.

22. Case Study 2: Renewable Energy in the U.K. – the Energy Company. This time, research one specific energy company in the U.K. – E*ON. Find out about the renewable energy they produce in the U.K. – what types, how much etc. Also have a look at what their plans are for future production of renewable energy in the U.K.

23. Case Study 2: Renewable Energy in the U.K. – the Manufacturer. This is the Bentley factory in Crewe. Read the article on moodle ‘Bentley Goes Green’ and make notes about how the company has installed solar panels on its factory roof – how much of its energy demand does this meet?

24. Case Study 3: Renewable Energy in California TYPE OF ENERGYHOW MUCH IS USED? GEOTHERMAL ENERGY California has 25 geothermal resource areas that produce nearly 5% of California’s electricity. Also provides hot water for space heating, swimming pools and greenhouses. Potential to increase production. WIND POWER Around 14,000 wind turbines provide 1.5% of the state’s electricity. The provision of a further 1000MW of new capacity is planned. SOLAR POWER Provides 1% of California’s electricity, while 0.5 million households use solar water heaters. Big plans to increase production of solar power to 3000MW. HEP Generates around 16% of the state’s electricity but little prospect of increasing this as most suitable sites are already in use. BIOMASS ENERGY Produces 1-2% of the state’s electricity. Under the renewable energy plan biomass sources will contribute an additional 2000 MW. In 2006, 12% of California’s electricity came from geothermal, wind, solar power, biomass and small HEP schemes. A further 19% came from large- scale HEP schemes. Making a total of 31%!