Energy Part 2 (11/10)

organic material from plants and animals that can be used for energy

can contribute to deforestation and habitat degradation

cases where biomass is used for transportation fuel. ethanol is most common, comes from corn. causes deforestation in brazil and indonesia

renewable, easy to grow more corn, lowers GHG emissions, supports rural economies, increases energy securities, less toxic waste

diverts resources from producing food, requires a lot of land and water, energy intensive, corrodes pipelines meant for gasoline so special infrastructure is needed

a structure built to slowly absorb hear during the day and release it at night

what we use today to collect energy via solar panels

sunlight excites electrons in thin silicon layer with trace elements of phosphorous. electrons travel through a circuit and create an electrical current

drastic increase in the power of wind turbines over the past 20 years. onshore wind can be integrated with other land uses like farming, allowing additional income source for rural residents. advantage over solar in that they can spin both day or night

wind turbines located in the ocean with powerful and consistent sea breezes

uses wind turbines on land to generate electricity from the wind, this is what we use the most because its more efficient to transport

the largest source of renewable energy in the world. has started to fall out of favor because of displacement of people from dam construction, destruction of habitat

a structure designed to help fish migrate over or around obstacles like dams and waterfalls

a type of hydroelectric power generated from a water source with a low vertical drop, has less environmental impacts as opposed to dams

using the heat located beneath the earth’s surface. high upfront costs and limited suitable sites, increased risk of earthquakes

way of storing energy that comes with the environmental cost of mining

way of storing energy for hydrogen vehicles in operation such as trains

heat pumps, triple pane glass, better insulation, higher efficient air conditions and water heaters

data centers using a lot of energy, many companies have gone back on carbon reduction commitments because of AI expansion

integrating sustainable energy into the transportation system is a challenge, electric cars are breaking in but larger vehicles rely on fossil fuels

current lithium ion batteries lose charge, require rare materials, and are volatile. Graphene conducts electricity better. expensive to manufacture thin sheets