alternative energy resources alternative energy is energy that is not made from burning fossil fuels
TRANSCRIPT
Alternative Energy Resources
Alternative energy is energy that is not made from burning fossil fuels.
Alternative energy resources generally…
1) are much less polluting than fossil fuels
2) are often renewable since most get their energy from the sun!
3) have other advantages too.
ELECTRICITY is really the energy of the future...
But electricity in nature isn’t easy to obtain. So we have to make it using other resources.
Right now, we use mostly fossil fuels to create electricity.
a) We burn fossil fuels to create heat...
b) The heat is used to turn water into steam.
c) The steam rises and turns an energy generator, called a TURBINE, to make electricity.
But burning fossil fuels this way creates pollution...
ELECTRICITY is really the energy of the future...
Where else can we get heat to make steam, without creating pollution?
Nuclear EnergyThe energy released by splitting atoms is
used to heat water to steam, and then turn a turbine which creates electricity.
Nuclear EnergyThis process produces no pollution.
It only produces water vapor at the end.
• However, the process does produce dangerous radiation and wastes which
CANNOT be allowed into the environment.
Geothermal Energy
This type of energy uses the heat from magma near the surface to heat groundwater.
Geothermal Energy
The heated groundwater turns to steam.The steam rises out of the Earth in GEYSERS.
The steam spins the turbine.
Geothermal Energy
The heat of the Earth will be around for millions and millions of years, so
it is very renewable.
Geothermal Energy
There is no pollution produced.And the Earth provides this energy for free.
Geothermal Energy
Unfortunately, geothermal areas are only located in certain areas of the world.
= Not found everywhere!
Neither nuclear fuel, or geothermal energy produces any pollution!
ELECTRICITY is really the energy of the future...
And the Earth provides these alternative resources for free!
What other free resources can we use to make electricity?
ELECTRICITY is really the energy of the future...
We can use the endless energy of the sun...
Biofuels
Plant material can be turned into fuel (alcohol)we can burn to produce
electricity using a steam turbine.
Biofuels
Biofuels burns cleaner than fossils fuels, even though they are both made of plants.
Biofuels
And plants get their energy from the sun,which gives it to us for free!
Biofuels
The only real problem so far is the cost of turning waste material into fuel, and then
making it available for common use.
What other free resources can we use to make electricity?
ELECTRICITY is really the energy of the future...
We can use the endless energy of the sun, but without burning anything, or heating water...
Wind EnergyThis type of energy is very clean, and the land can be used for other purposes as well. Individual windmills are used to generate combined amounts of electricity.
Wind EnergyThe sun heats the air and it rises.As hot air moves up, more air moves sideways to take its place.This creates wind, powered by the sun.
Wind EnergyHeating water isn’t necessary.The wind spins the turbine directly.This energy has NO pollution, and the wind is free!
Wind EnergyThey are a little ugly though, and take up space.
And sometimes they can kill birds that fly through the blades.
Hydroelectric Energy
The energy of falling water spins turbines (turbogenerators) which create electricity.
Dams also control flooding and provide recreational areas.
Hydroelectric Energy
Water keeps flowing down river because the water cycle keeps replacing it.
The water cycle is powered by the sun,and is entirely free!
Hydroelectric Energy
The only bad thing is that dams oftendestroy wildlife habitats.
Many plants and animals species can be ruined by building dams!
Sometimes we don’t have to heat water, or even spin a wheel...
We can make electricity directly from sunlight...
ELECTRICITY is really the energy of the future...
Solar EnergyLight can be turned directly into
electricity by solar cells or solar panels.
Solar EnergyThe panels can even make some energy on
cloudy days.
Solar EnergyThe problem is… the panels are very expensive right now, and they take
up a lot of space.
We don’t really even need the sun sometimes...
We can use the power stored in an atom to make electricity...
= Hydrogen Fuel Cell
ELECTRICITY is really the energy of the future...
Fuel CellsFuel cells combine
hydrogen with oxygen from the air to produce
electricity. The only exhaust is water vapor!
Fuel CellsFuel cells are the most
expensive energy source of all, and take up a lot of
space, so they don’t work well for most things (yet!)
The goal for our future is to try and not use resources that create pollution (ex. fossil fuels), and are non-renewable.
ELECTRICITY is really the energy of the future...
All of these resources use the energy from the sun, so they are free. And most produce no pollution.
THE
END!!