Alternative Sources of Energy

Nonrenewable vs. Renewable

 Non-renewable
What is
non- Non – Renewable
renewable
energy?
Energy - are
sources that can not
be replenished in a
short period of time
 Renewable Energy
What is Renewable Energy
renewable
energy?
– is energy that can
be replenished
naturally
 Energy Efficiency and Energy
Conservation
What is Energy Energy conservation - is
Conservation? any behavior that results in
the use of less energy.

Turning the lights off when

you leave the room and
recycling aluminum cans
are both ways of
conserving energy.
 Energy Efficiency and Energy
Conservation
What is Energy Energy efficiency - is the
Efficiency? use of technology that
requires less energy to
perform the same function.

In regards to the “musical

chair” activity, how
important is energy
efficiency?
 Examples of Renewable Sources
What is • Geothermal- uses the heat
geothermal that comes from deep rocks
energy?
under the surface of the
Earth.

What is • Hydroelectric- generated

hydroelectric
energy?
from running water. (United
Streaming Video)
 Examples of Renewable Sources
What is Energy • Solar- The sun releases
Efficiency? energy due to the nuclear
fusion of hydrogen taking
place within its core.
The solar panels convert
the sun’s energy into
electricity. (United
Streaming Video)
 Examples of Renewable Sources
of Energy
What is wind • Wind- used to turn wind turbines
energy? and make electricity (United
Streaming Video)

• Biomass- uses the energy from

plants and waste materials to make
electricity.
What is
biomass For example, wood can be burnt to
energy? make steam that turns turbines to
make electricity
 Examples of Non-renewable
energy
What is oil and • Oil and gas- fossil fuels that were
gas energy? formed millions of years ago.
Organisms died and the carbon in
their bodies was eventually turned
into oil and gas.
• Coal-a fossil fuel that was formed
millions of years ago when trees
What is coal and plants died and formed a layer
energy? of peat. These layers continued to
develop layers, which turned the
peat into coal.
 Pros for Wind Energy
• It is renewable
What are the
pros of wind • Wind is free
Energy? • Wind turbines do not produce
pollutants or greenhouse
gases
• Eventually, it can be cost
effective
 Pros of Solar Energy
• It is renewable
What are the
pros of Solar • Gives off no pollution
Energy? • Can be installed on rooftops
• Eventually, it will be cost-
effective to the user
• Allows us to become less
dependent on fossil fuels
 Open Response Question
• Complete the
open response
question and
place it into your
class period
box.
• Finished?
– Begin working
on your
alternative
energy foldable
 Cons for Solar Energy
• The cells are expensive
What are the
cons of Solar • Weather can impact the
Energy? efficiency of solar cells
• Pollution can impact the
efficiency of solar cells
 Cons for Wind Energy
• Turbines can be damaged
What are the during storms
cons of wind
Energy? • Can be harmful to wildlife
• Noise can be disturbing
• Low wind speed can impact
efficiency
 Pros for Hydroelectricity
• No waste or pollution
What are the • Can be used throughout the world
cons of • Energy is virtually free
hydroelectric • More reliable than wind, solar, or
Energy? wave power
• Water can be stored above the dam
ready to cope with peaks in demand
• Hydroelectric power stations can
increase to full power very quickly,
unlike other power stations
• Could eliminate the cost of fuel
 Cons for Hydroelectricity
• Smaller models depend on availability of
fast flowing streams or rivers
What are the
cons of • Run-of-the-River plants can impact the
mobility of fish and other river life
hydroelectric
Energy? • Dams are very expensive to build
• Building a large dam will flood a very
large area upstream, causing problems
for animals that used to live there
• Finding a suitable site can be difficult
• Water quality and quantity downstream
can be affected, which can have an
impact on plant life
 Pros for Nuclear Energy
• Costs about the same as coal
• Does not produce smoke or carbon
dioxide
• Produces huge amounts of energy from
small amounts of fuel
• Produces small amounts of waste
• It is reliable.
 Cons of Nuclear Power
• Nuclear waste is very dangerous.
• Nuclear power is reliable, but a lot of
money has to be spent on safety.
• If things go wrong it can produce a major
disaster.
• What are the four types of renewable
sources of energy?