Renewable Energy

Warm Up

• As Review…What are some pros and cons of implementing solar power?

• Be ready to share out in 2 minutes

The bottom line…

Pro• Solar is a perpetual

resource• Once installed – solar power

is free• Clean – no emissions, no

pollution, no greenhouse gases

Con• Panels are expensive• Installation can be

expensive• No sun, no power• Regional (desert best)• Battery storage an issue• Efficiency of Panels

(currently)

Renewable Energy Resources

• Solar• Wind• Water• Biomass• Waves• Tides- moon’s gravity• Geothermal- Earth-heat

All generated by Solar radiation

Biomass

(wood, ethanol, biodiesel)

Wood Burning

20% of world’s population

Wood Fuel

• 7% of total energy usage globally• Charcoal is a fuel type created from smoldering

(burning) wood logs slowly in a low-oxygen environment

• Most wood fuel use (76%) is in developing nations, which make up 77% of the world’s population

• Wood accounts for 2% of total energy consumption in developed countries

Wood Fuel

• Wood fuel represents 50-90% of the energy usage in developing countries

• CAN be sustainable, but many countries over-harvest or mismanage forests

• Particulate matter and emissions an issue

Source: Union of Concerned Scientists

Biofuels

Ethanol Biodiesel (from vegetable oil)

Biofuels- fuels created from living organisms (mostly plant-based)

Are you a good witch or a bad witch?

Pro• Renewable if resources are

managed sustainably• Biofuels are cleaner than

burning fossil fuels- lower emissions

• Wood can easily provide heat for the home and for cooking

• Growing plants increases our ability to absorb CO2 released when burned; balances the carbon “checkbook”

Con• Does produce some air

pollution and greenhouse gases (combustion and/or machinery used for growing)

• Particulate Matter from wood smoke

• Competition for land used to grow the feed stock for fuels (ex: corn for ethanol)

• Burning wood does not provide as much energy as fossil fuels

Hydroelectric

How does it work?

Hoover Dam

To be or not to be….

Pro• Clean energy – no emissions

or air pollution once dam is built

• Cheap energy (once you pay for the dam itself)

Con• Large Amounts of Habitat

Destruction and ecological interference

• Human displacement- $$• Only available where there

are rivers and/or running water (regional)

Wind

How do wind turbines work?

• Windfarm in Southern California - built after the 70's energy Crisis

• Do wind turbine make noise?• A new kind of wind turbine for urban areas?

What’s one or two birds?

Pro• Completely renewable• Innovative designs for

different settings• Completely clean• Free power (once turbines

are built)

Con• Not able to provide the

entire world’s energy• No wind = no power• Complaints of noise and

bird killing• Some consider turbines

“eyesores” on the landscape

Geothermal

Geothermal Energy (Active)

Active Geothermal Map

Passive Geothermal:6 ft under is always 54 deg F

Use air from below ground to cool house in summer, warm in winter

The dirt on geothermal…

PRO• Once installed – cheap• No emissions, pollution or

greenhouse gases

Con• Expensive installation• Not able to provide enough

energy to meet world demands

• Must be able to access groundwater

• Best places for geothermal are very remote (Regional)

WHAT MAKES THE “SWITCH” TO RENEWABLES HARD?

Chalk Talk

Chalk Talk Rules

• A different question related to renewable energy will be placed on each lab table

• Speak with your pen, not your mouth• Respond to main question prompt or

another’s comment/question • RESPECTFUL ENTRIES ONLY!!!

Livingston Public Schools have solar panels on many of its school buildings. Why aren’t we

promoting them more?

When fossil fuels are gone, what will America look like with only renewable energy sources to rely on?

Why should reduction in energy demands be an essential component to ANY energy plan?

What are some ways you can reduce your energy consumption at home and school?

Germany is the world leader in renewable energy infrastructure. What are some reasons why

America’s renewable energy is not as popular?

What are some environmental impacts of renewable energy infrastructure?