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Alternative Energy Sources

Alternative Energy Sources. How Electricity is generated …. A force is needed to push the blades of a turbine Turbine keeps a generator turning Electromagnet produces electrical current. Traditional energy production (Fossil Fuels). Combustion of Fossil Fuels

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Alternative Energy Sources

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  1. Alternative Energy Sources

  2. How Electricity is generated… • A force is needed to push the blades of a turbine • Turbine keeps a generator turning • Electromagnet produces electrical current

  3. Traditional energy production (Fossil Fuels)

  4. Combustion of Fossil Fuels Hydrocarbon + O2 CO2 + H2O

  5. Benzene – C6H6(liquid) Examples: • Methane (CH4) – small – Gas at room temp. • Benzene (C6H6) – medium - Liquid • Paraffin (CxHx) – large - Solid

  6. Uranium Uranium Pellets NUCLEAR ENERGY Fuel Rod Assemblies

  7. Nuclear Fission • Energy within the nucleus of an atom is more than 1 million times stronger than the chemical bonds between atoms. • FUEL = URANIUM (nonrenewable metal) • Uranium atoms are bombarded with neutrons that cause the nucleus to split open and energy is released.

  8. How Electricity is Produced from Conventional Nuclear Fission

  9. Advantages • Energy is very concentrated in the Uranium (one pellet = 1780 lbs of coal = 149 gallons of oil!) • Non-polluting – only steam, not smoke Disadvantages • Disposal of hazardous waste • Can be dangerous – meltdown or weapons Nuclear Energy

  10. Low-Level Radioactive waste High-Level Radioactive waste

  11. Storage Options - Temporary/On-Site Temporary storage includes above-ground storage casks Storing Spent Fuel in wet and dry storage

  12. Solar Energy Passive Solar Heating – uses Sun’s solar energy to heat something directly

  13. Active Solar Heating – Energy from the Sun is gathered by collectors and used to heat water or heat a building.

  14. Photovoltaic Cells – Energy from the Sun is gathered by collectors and used to heat water or heat a building.

  15. Solar Power Tower – Heliostats (mirrors) focus sun’s light on a central receiving tower. • A liquid is heated inside of a pipe. • Hot pipe comes in contact with water & makes steam

  16. Solar Energy Disadvantages • Expensive to install/build • Need battery back up for night & cloudy days • Land-intensive Advantages • “Fuel” is free (the sun) • Provides endless heat & light • It’s non-polluting

  17. Wind Farm – large array of wind turbines that collectively generate electricity - Sun & convection produce wind

  18. Wind Energy Disadvantages • Land-intensive • Large & Noisy • Hazardous to birds (flyways) • Consistent wind is on shoreline & mountainsides Advantages • “Fuel” is free (sun  wind) • Meet 10-15% of U.S. energy needs • It’s non-polluting

  19. Hydroelectric Energy – Energy produced from moving water

  20. Hydroelectric Energy Disadvantages • Sediments build up behind the dams • Reservoir floods land • Disrupts fish migration • Too much development to build new dams Advantages • “Fuel” is free (sun  water cycle) • Water storage • High energy storage • Non-polluting

  21. Geothermal Energy – Groundwater that has been heated by energy within Earth’s crust Geothermal Heat-pump

  22. Advantages • “Fuel” is free (hot water) • There is an abundance of hot water underground • Non-polluting Geothermal Energy Disadvantages • Steam in one location only lasts 10-15 years • Will not produce a high percentage of power • Overuse & reinjection may deplete hot water

  23. Tidal Energy – Energy produced from rising & falling tidal currents

  24. Advantages • “Fuel” is free (moon  tides) • The tides are a steady source of energy • It’s non-polluting Tidal Energy Disadvantages • Limited use (area must have > 8 ft tidal range) • Block boat traffic • Hazardous to marine organisms • Corrosion in salt water

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