Renewable Resources

Renewable Resources By Kasey Poirier, EeanAlbro, Chase Lee

Hydro (Water) • Hydroelectric energy is produced by the force of falling water. • Dependent on both the available flow and the height from which it falls. • High dam’s are a good place to use hydro power because potential energy that is stored there. • Water rushes down the sluice and strikes the rotary blades of turbines. • Turbine's rotation spins electromagnets which generate current in stationary coils of wire. • Finally, the current is put through a transformer where the voltage is increased for long distance transmission over power lines

Wind • The wind blows on the blades and makes them turn. • The blades turns a shaft inside the nacelle (the box at the top of the turbine) • The shaft goes into a gearbox which increases the rotation speed. • The power output goes to a transformer, which converts the electricity coming out of the generator at around 700 Volts (V) to the right voltage for distribution system, typically 33,000 V. • The national grid transmits the power around the country

Solar The sun's light shines down on solar cells (also known as photovoltaic cells) and it absorbs the energy to make energy. • Advantages • Saves you money • Clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our environment • Can be utilized to offset utility-supplied energy consumption. • Low/ no maintenance • Virtually maintenance free and will last for decades. • Disadvantages • High cost of the semi-conducting materials used in building one • Solar panels require quite a large area for installation to achieve a good level of efficiency. • The efficiency of the system also relies on the location of the sun • Similarly, no solar energy will be produced during nighttime.

Thermal Powers Ocean • Warm surface water is hot enough to boil a fluid with a low boiling point, such as ammonia. 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. 2) The gas from the boiling fluid creates enough pressure to drive a turbine that generates electricity. 5) The water is returned to the deep ocean.

Nuclear Power, Part 1 • The heart of a nuclear power plant is the nuclear reactor. • Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) • Inside a very strong pressure vessel is an array of fuel assemblies containing uranium rods enriched to about 4 percent U 235, each rod clad in zircaloy sheathing • The reactor contains water, at high pressure to prevent boiling, and also neutron absorbing control rods

Nuclear Power, Part 2 • The fuel array can be made to produce a nuclear chain reaction, in which U235 nuclei fission or split and releases heat • heat is transferred to the water which is circulated to an external circuit • Here heat is transferred to a secondary water circuit • the steam produced hear feeds a steam turbine/generator

Nuclear Power 3 • the reactor power output is controlled by the control rods and also soluble boron poisoning • When loaded with fresh fuel the reactor has excess reactivity which is controlled by these means • during operation the fuel is gradually used up and eventually, at intervals of roughly 2 years, it has to be shutdown for fresh fuel to be loaded in place of spent fuel

Reason for switching to renewable resources for energy. • Less pollution in the air • Cleaner energy • healthier environment • Safer • Constant energy

Links Thermal Power: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_does_ocean_thermal_energy_work Solar: http://www.facts-about-solar-energy.com/solar-power-how-it-works.html Nuclear power: http://www.alternate-energy-sources.com/how-does-nuclear-energy-work.html Wind power: http://www.bwea.com/energy/how.html

Renewable Resources