Fuel for Thought: The Promise of Alternative Energy

1. Fuel for Thought: The Promise of Alternative Energy Presented by: The Eco-Sci Club of The Academy of Mount St. Ursula

2. The Truth is…Fossil Fuels are History! • Through technological advancements and public awareness, people and scientists alike are realizing that fossil fuels are contributing to the destruction of the environment. • With the growing popularity of renewable alternative energy resources, there is still hope for the future with the development of efficient energy sources that may one day fully replace fossil fuels.

3. Major Alternative Energy Resources • Wind Power • Solar Power • Hydroelectric Power • Geothermal Power

4. Wind Power • The oil shocks of the 1970s furthered interest in wind and other sources of energy resources • Natural conditions of climate and geography produce wind that blows across a landscape • Windmills are used to convert wind into mechanical energy and/or electricity • Power is often gained through large groups of turbines or wind farms

5. Wind Power: How it Works

6. Wind Power in the US • The U.S has used over 6740 MW, 17 billion killo-watts of electricity since 2004 • Additional 5000 MW of wind energy expected in the next five years • U.S Department of Energy, 2020 objective: 6% of energy from wind

7. Global Wind Power • In 2004, world wind capacity reached 47317 MW • Most wind power plants located in Europe (Germany) and U.S. • Average growth rate- 30% • 95 countries and counting utilize wind power

8. How Much Does It Cost? • Cost depends on the speed of wind, the cost of the turbines and the size of the farm • Wind power cost ranges from 6-14 cents per kWh • No fuel costs • Operating costs are steadily decreasing 3-5%

9. Noise Pollution Visual pollution Kills birds Wind patterns are subject to change Wind energy can only be stored through a battery Turbines spin 65-80% of the time, on average AdvantagesDisadvantages • A better lifetime investment than fossil fuels • Doesn’t emit CO2 or other greenhouse gases • Prevents the emission of 2.5 billion lbs of CO2 and 15 million lbs of other pollutants

10. What is Solar Power? • Usable energy from sun light • When Sun light passes through earth’s atmosphere, it takes the form of infrared and visible radiations • Plants use solar energy to make food-photosynthesis • We use solar energy by: • Eating plants • Burning fossil fuels

11. How does it work? • Technologies: • Use the sun light to produce electricity • Classifications: • Direct & Indirect • Passive & Active (buildings) • Concentrated & Non-Concentrated

12. Solar Power Usage • Solar cooking • Solar lighting • Photovoltaics • Electric Power Plants • Solar Pond • Solar Chemical • Biofuels-stored solar energy • Architecture • Heating systems

13. Advantages  • Sunlight is abundant • Solar energy is very dense • Pollution-free! • Easy maintenance of facilities • Economical • Low operating costs

14. Disadvantages  • Requires large plots of land • In order to generate a lot of energy, many photovoltaic cells are required • Solar density is limited • Automobiles • Has to be transformed into another form of energy • Initial set up is costly • Polysilicon solar cells are expensive • Costs are expected to decrease

15. What is hydroelectric energy? • Hydroelectric energy is kinetic energy derived from rivers or waterfalls

16. Hydroelectric energy is generated in hydroelectric power plants Rivers or waterfalls are used to turn turbines A metal shaft in an electric generator goes up and produces electricity How is hydroelectric energy generated?

17. Diagram of a hydroelectric dam

18. Hydroelectric Dams in the U.S: Hoover Dam The Hoover Dam contains 17 generators and produces 4 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year.

19. Pros • Some large hydroelectric plants have the capacity to generate 300-400 megawatts. • 300 megawatts is enough energy to power about 3,000,000 one hundred watt light bulbs! • It is entirely renewable with no CO2 emissions • Hydroelectric energy contributed 13% of the electricity produced in 2001.

20. Cons • Hydroelectric power generation requires a lot of land • Most major sites are being used or are unavailable because of environmental reasons • Dam production usually involves flooding large areas of land, which greatly changes natural habitats • Can potentially endanger local and non-local wildlife. • It’s estimated that it will decrease to 12.4% by 2010

21. Geothermal Energy

22. What is Geothermal Power? • The use of geothermal heat to generate electricity • From heat within the earth • "geothermal" is Greek: • geo, meaning earth • therme, meaning "heat."

23. Uses for Geothermal Energy • Generate electricity • Heat buildings and greenhouses

24. One Exception • Although geothermal energy is often referred to as a form of a renewable resource, because the heat at any location can eventually be depleted it is not strictly renewable

25. Electric Generation • Three types of power plants are used to generate power from geothermal energy: • Dry steam • Flash • Binary

26. Dry Steam Power Plants • Dry steam plants take steam out of fractures in the ground and use it to directly drive a turbine that spins a generator to make energy • The largest dry steam field in the world is The Geysers in California • Production of electricity started at The Geysers in 1960 – Now it’s the most successful alternative energy project in history!

27. Flash Power Plants • Uses a geothermal reservoir that produces mostly hot water - a "hot water reservoir" • Water ranging from 300 – 700 F is released to the surface from the pressure of the deep reservoir, through a production well • Some of the water flashes into steam in a 'separator' which then powers turbines to make energy

28. Binary Power Plants • A reservoir with temperatures between 250 - 360 degrees F • Geothermal water is passed through a heat exchanger, where its heat is transferred into a second (binary) liquid, such as isopentane • The binary liquid flashes to vapor expands across and spins the turbine blades. The vapor is then re-condensed to a liquid and is reused repeatedly

29. Geothermal Energy Countries • Mexico • U.S. • Canada • Russia • Japan • Philippines • Indonesia • New Zealand • Iceland

31. Pros • Geothermal energy can be found almost anywhere; from the remote, deep wells of Indonesia to our backyards! • An affordable and sustainable solution to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, as well as the global warming and public health risks that result from their use

32. Cons • Ground water can potentially be contaminated with sulfides and other pollutants if well casings are not managed properly • Carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide are released by geothermal plants • Many geothermal reservoirs are located in sensitive and pristine wilderness areas

33. In General • Despite their cons, alternative energy still proves to be a safer, more effective approach to fighting global warming caused by fossil fuels • Alternative energy can provide clean energy around the world for years • With public action, we can make a better environment for our future!

34. Ways You Can Help! • At Home: • Use Energy-saving appliances • Reduce/Conserve electricity • Switch to a hybrid or an electric car • Get involved!: • New Energy Congress • Global Institute for New Energy Technologies • An-Inconvienitent-Truth(.com)

35. References • “Facts About Hydropower” - Waterpower - The World's Leading Renewable Energy Source. www.wvic (mht) • Solar power info: http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/solar.html Photovoltaic cells: http://www.epa.gov/epahome/enviroeye/archive.html • Hoover Dam and Hydroelectric Power www.teachersdomain.com • Wind power information and graphics sources www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/inform.shtml www.library.thinkquest.org/26026/Science/wind_energy.html www.awea.org/faq/wwt_statistics.html www.solarnavigator.net www.cnn.com www.chinapage.com X www1.eere.energy.gov www.ucsusa.org www.compositesnews.com ? www.news.bbc.co.uk ??

36. Alternative Energy? Saving our Earth? Now That’s Food For Thought!

37. I Need to Wake Up LyricsMelissa Etheridge • I want to changeI need to shake upI need to speak outOh, Something’s got to break upI’ve been asleepAnd I need to wake up Now!

38. Fuel for Thought: The Promise of Alternative Energy Presented by: The Eco-Sci Club of The Academy of Mount St. Ursula