Fuel for Thought: The Promise of Alternative Energy

Presented by:

The Eco-Sci Club of

The Academy of Mount St. Ursula

The Truth is…Fossil Fuels are History!

Through technological advancements and public awareness, people and scientists alike are realizing that fossil fuels are contributing to the destruction of the environment. With the growing popularity of renewable alternative energy resources, there is still hope for the future with the development of efficient energy sources that may one day fully replace fossil fuels.

Major Alternative Energy Resources

Wind PowerSolar Power

Hydroelectric PowerGeothermal Power

Wind Power

The oil shocks of the 1970s furthered interest in wind and other sources of energy resources

Natural conditions of climate and geography produce wind that blows across a landscape

Windmills are used to convert wind into mechanical energy and/or electricity

Power is often gained through large groups of turbines or wind farms

Wind Power: How it Works

Wind Power in the US

The U.S has used over 6740 MW, 17 billion killo-watts of electricity since 2004Additional 5000 MW of wind energy expected in the next five yearsU.S Department of Energy, 2020 objective: 6% of energy from wind

Global Wind Power

In 2004, world wind capacity reached 47317 MWMost wind power plants located in Europe (Germany) and U.S.Average growth rate- 30%95 countries and counting utilize wind power

How Much Does It Cost?

Cost depends on the speed of wind, the cost of the turbines and the size of the farmWind power cost ranges from 6-14 cents per kWhNo fuel costsOperating costs are steadily decreasing 3-5%

Advantages DisadvantagesA better lifetime investment than fossil fuelsDoesn’t emit CO2 or other greenhouse gasesPrevents the emission of 2.5 billion lbs of CO2 and 15 million lbs of other pollutants

Noise Pollution

Visual pollution

Kills birds

Wind patterns are subject to change

Wind energy can only be stored through a battery

Turbines spin 65-80% of the time, on average

What is Solar Power?Usable energy from sun lightWhen Sun light passes through earth’s atmosphere, it takes the form of infrared and visible radiationsPlants use solar energy to make food-photosynthesisWe use solar energy by:

Eating plantsBurning fossil fuels

How does it work?Technologies:

Use the sun light to produce electricity

Classifications:Direct & IndirectPassive & Active (buildings)Concentrated & Non-Concentrated

Solar Power UsageSolar cookingSolar lightingPhotovoltaicsElectric Power PlantsSolar PondSolar ChemicalBiofuels-stored solar energy

ArchitectureHeating systems

Advantages Sunlight is abundantSolar energy is very densePollution-free!Easy maintenance of facilitiesEconomicalLow operating costs

Disadvantages Requires large plots of land

In order to generate a lot of energy, many photovoltaic cells are required

Solar density is limitedAutomobiles

Has to be transformed into another form of energy

Initial set up is costlyPolysilicon solar cells are expensiveCosts are expected to decrease

What is hydroelectric What is hydroelectric energy?energy?

• Hydroelectric energy is Hydroelectric energy is kinetic energy derived kinetic energy derived from rivers or waterfallsfrom rivers or waterfalls

How is hydroelectric energy How is hydroelectric energy generated?generated?

• Hydroelectric Hydroelectric energy is energy is generated in generated in hydroelectric hydroelectric power plants power plants

• Rivers or waterfalls Rivers or waterfalls are used to turn are used to turn turbines turbines

• A metal shaft in an A metal shaft in an electric generator electric generator goes up and goes up and produces electricity produces electricity

Diagram of a hydroelectric damDiagram of a hydroelectric dam

Hydroelectric Dams in the Hydroelectric Dams in the U.S: Hoover DamU.S: Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam contains 17 generators and produces 4 billion kilowatt-hours of

electricity each year.

ProsPros

• Some large hydroelectric plants have the Some large hydroelectric plants have the capacity to generate 300-400 megawatts. capacity to generate 300-400 megawatts.

• 300 megawatts is enough energy to power 300 megawatts is enough energy to power about 3,000,000 one hundred watt light about 3,000,000 one hundred watt light bulbs!bulbs!

• It is entirely renewable with no COIt is entirely renewable with no CO22 emissionsemissions

• Hydroelectric energy contributed 13% of Hydroelectric energy contributed 13% of the electricity produced in 2001. the electricity produced in 2001.

ConsCons

• Hydroelectric power generation requires Hydroelectric power generation requires a lot of land a lot of land

• Most major sites are being used or are Most major sites are being used or are unavailable because of environmental unavailable because of environmental reasonsreasons

• Dam production usually involves Dam production usually involves flooding large areas of land, which flooding large areas of land, which greatly changes natural habitatsgreatly changes natural habitats

• Can potentially endanger local and non-Can potentially endanger local and non-local wildlife. local wildlife.

• It’s estimated that it will decrease to It’s estimated that it will decrease to 12.4% by 201012.4% by 2010

Geothermal Energy

What is Geothermal Power?What is Geothermal Power?

• The use of geothermal heat to generate electricity

• From heat within the earth• "geothermal" is Greek:

– geo, meaning earth

– therme, meaning "heat."

Uses for Geothermal EnergyUses for Geothermal Energy

• Generate electricity• Heat buildings and greenhouses

One ExceptionOne Exception

• Although geothermal energy is often referred to as a form of a renewable resource, because the heat at any location can eventually be depleted it is not strictly renewable

Electric GenerationElectric Generation

• Three types of power plants are used to generate power from geothermal energy:

• Dry steam • Flash • Binary

Dry Steam Power PlantsDry Steam Power Plants

• Dry steam plants take steam out of fractures in the ground and use it to directly drive a turbine that spins a generator to make energy

• The largest dry steam field in the world is The Geysers in California

• Production of electricity started at The Geysers in 1960 – Now it’s the most successful alternative energy project in history!

Flash Power PlantsFlash Power Plants

• Uses a geothermal reservoir that produces mostly hot water - a "hot water reservoir"

• Water ranging from 300 – 700 F is released to the surface from the pressure of the deep reservoir, through a production well

• Some of the water flashes into steam in a 'separator' which then powers turbines to make energy

Binary Power PlantsBinary Power Plants

• A reservoir with temperatures between 250 - 360 degrees F

• Geothermal water is passed through a heat exchanger, where its heat is transferred into a second (binary) liquid, such as isopentane

• The binary liquid flashes to vapor expands across and spins the turbine blades. The vapor is then re-condensed to a liquid and is reused repeatedly

Geothermal Energy CountriesGeothermal Energy Countries

• Mexico• U.S. • Canada• Russia• Japan• Philippines• Indonesia • New

Zealand• Iceland

ProsPros

• Geothermal energy can be found almost anywhere; from the remote, deep wells of Indonesia to our backyards!

• An affordable and sustainable solution to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, as well as the global warming and public health risks that result from their use

ConsCons

• Ground water can potentially be contaminated with sulfides and other pollutants if well casings are not managed properly

• Carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide are released by geothermal plants

• Many geothermal reservoirs are located in sensitive and pristine wilderness areas

In General

Despite their cons, alternative energy still proves to be a safer, more effective approach to fighting global warming caused by fossil fuels

Alternative energy can provide clean energy around the world for years

With public action, we can make a better environment for our future!

Ways You Can Help!

At Home:– Use Energy-saving appliances– Reduce/Conserve electricity– Switch to a hybrid or an electric car

Get involved!: – New Energy Congress– Global Institute for New Energy

Technologies– An-Inconvienitent-Truth(.com)

References

– “Facts About Hydropower” - Waterpower - The World's Leading Renewable Energy Source. www.wvic (mht)

– Solar power info:http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/solar.htmlPhotovoltaic cells: http://www.epa.gov/epahome/enviroeye/archive.html

– Hoover Dam and Hydroelectric Powerwww.teachersdomain.com

– Wind power information and graphics sources www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/inform.shtmlwww.library.thinkquest.org/26026/Science/wind_energy.htmlwww.awea.org/faq/wwt_statistics.html www.solarnavigator.net www.cnn.com www.chinapage.com Xwww1.eere.energy.gov www.ucsusa.org www.compositesnews.com ?www.news.bbc.co.uk ??

Alternative Energy?

Saving our Earth?

Now That’s

Food For Thought!

I Need to Wake Up Lyrics Melissa Etheridge

I want to changeI need to shake upI need to speak outOh, Something’s got to break upI’ve been asleepAnd I need to wake up

Now!

Fuel for Thought: The Promise of Alternative Energy

Presented by:

The Eco-Sci Club of

The Academy of Mount St. Ursula