Renewable energy

Two useful forms of energy are procured from the same source. Using waste and heat as an energy source. EX. re-gen breaks in a car

R-value= resistance to energy transfer The higher the R-Value, the more efficient

Absorb heat directly from the sun without the use of mechanical or electric equipment. Energy cannot be collected or stored. Not using fans or pumps to distribute energy Heats through greenhouse effect (winter) Plant deciduous tree

Solar energy is used to heat a liquid through mechanical and electric equipment to collect and store the energy captured from the sun Pumps and fans are used to collect, store, and circulate heat energy from the sun Doesn’t make electricity

Capture light energy from the sun and convert it directly into electrical energy

Supply is limitless Reduces our dependence on other countries for energy No carbon emissions (except manufacturing)

Not feasible in areas of solar radiation High initial costs -> rebates and incentives Pays off if stays in the house Solar farms may impact desert ecosystems and may cause habitat disruption

obtained by using the heat stored in the Earth’s interior to heat up water, which is brought back to the surface as steam. The steam is used to drive an electric generator

Generates electricity No carbon emissions

Not accessible in many parts of the world High Initial cost (but don’t pay for heat) Can’t release H2S (Hydrogen sulfide)-> Acid rain -> Adverse effect on vegetation

Wind turbines use the kinetic energy of moving air to spin a turbine, which in turn converts the mechanical energy of the turbine into electricity

No emissions+clean High energy yield Becomes profitable at one year

Weather dependent Must have wind Coastal locations and great plains May disrupt migratory patterns of birds and bats People don’t like the appearance- NIMBY

Dams built across rivers collect water in reservoirs. The moving water can be used to spin a turbine. Turbines can also be placed in small rivers, where the flowing water spins the turbine. Works as the time comes in and again when it goes out

Clean, high energy yield Water for irrigation and drinking

Flooding upstream Loss of habitat Downstream is robbed of water, nutrients and sediment Can prevent the migration of fish Fixed with fish-ladder

Alternative to nonrenewable fuel sources. They use hydrogen as fuel, combining the hydrogen and oxygen in the air to form water and release energy (electricity) in the process. Water is the product (emission) of a fuel cell

Low environmental impact No direct carbon emissions High efficiency

No fuel distribution system H2 gas is explosive Hydrogen fuel requires energy, to split water, to make H2 gas

Burning of biomass produces heat for energy at a relatively low cost, but it also produces carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and volatile organic compounds. The overharvesting of trees for fuel also causes deforestation

Carbon in biomass that was recently in the atmosphere

Carbon in fossil fuels that have been sequestered

Can be used as a substitute for gasoline, but burning it doesn’t introduce additional carbon into the atmosphere via combustion, ut the energy return on energy investment for ethanol is low