1. Alternative Energy and the Environment
Chapter 18
Alternative Energy and the Environment
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Environmental Science 5e

2. Introduction to Alternative Energy Sources
Renewable and nonrenewable energy resources that are alternatives to the fossil fuels
Renewable Energy
Alternative energy sources, such as solar, water, wind and biomass, that are more or less continuously made available in a time framework useful to people
Nonrenewable Energy
Alternative energy sources, including nuclear and geothermal, that are dependent on fuels or a resource that may be used up much faster than it is replenished by natural processes
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Environmental Science 5e

3. Environmental Science 5e
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Environmental Science 5e

4. Environmental Science 5e
Solar Energy
Passive Solar Energy Systems
Direct use of solar energy through architectural design to enhance or take advantage of natural changes in solar energy that occur throughout the year without requiring mechanical power
Active Solar Energy Systems
Direct use of solar energy that requires mechanical power; usually consists of pumps and other machinery to circulate air, water or other fluids from solar collectors to heat sink where the heat may be stored
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Environmental Science 5e

5. Environmental Science 5e
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Environmental Science 5e

6. Environmental Science 5e
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7. Environmental Science 5e
Solar Collectors: provide space heating or hot water
Photovoltaic: converts sunlight directly into electricity
Power Towers: type of solar energy system
Solar Ponds: generate low-temperature water
Ocean Thermal Conversion: involves using the ocean as a giant solar collector
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Environmental Science 5e

8. Environmental Science 5e
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Environmental Science 5e

9. Environmental Science 5e
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10. Environmental Science 5e
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11. Environmental Science 5e
Hydrogen
Fuel generated by the sun
Fuel cells: uses and stores hydrogen
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Environmental Science 5e

12. Environmental Science 5e
Water Power
A form of stored solar energy
One of the world’s oldest and most common energy sources
Sources vary in size
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Environmental Science 5e

13. Environmental Science 5e
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14. Environmental Science 5e
Tidal Power
Form of water utilizing ocean tides in places where favorable topography allows for construction of a power plant
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15. Environmental Science 5e
Wind Power
Alternative energy source that has been used for centuries
More recently thousands of windmills have been installed to produce electric energy
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Environmental Science 5e

16. Environmental Science 5e
Biomass Energy
Energy that is recovered from biomass, which is organic material such as plant and animal waste
Sources of Biomass
Biomass Energy and the Environment
Future of Biomass
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Environmental Science 5e

17. Environmental Science 5e
Geothermal Energy
Natural heat from the interior of the Earth that is converted to heat buildings and generate electricity
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e