The Renewable Energy Industry

What is Renewable Energy?

"Renewable energy: Any energy resource that is naturally regenerated over a short time scale and derived directly from the sun, indirectly from the sun, or from other natural movements and mechanisms of the environment.”

Non-renewable energy resource: an energy resource that is not replaced or is replaced only very slowly by natural processes.

Renewable energy usage in the last decade

Since the year 2000 the amount of renewable energy used has gone up

drastically. From a nearly immeasurable amount in 2000 to almost 10 million in

2008.

The Four Most Common Types

• Wind Energy• Uses wind turbines to create electricity

• Geothermal Energy• Uses heat from the earth’s core to create energy

• Solar Energy• Uses rays from the sun to create energy

• Hydropower Energy• Uses water to create energy

Wind Energy

Converts wind to energy by using turbines and mills

The modern wind power industry began in 1979

In 2009 159.2 gigawatts were produced world wide

Has been used for 5,500 years

Has a potential to generate 72 terawatts per year

Wind Energy in the U.S.

The United States is the world leader in wind energy production

Produced 35,159 megawatts in 2009

Texas produces more than any state with 9,728 megawatts captured in 2009

Employs 85,000 people in the U.S.

Illinois produced 1,547 megawatts in 2009

Wind Energy Abroad

Germany trails the U.S. by about 30% in total production

Together the European Union produces over twice as much as the U.S.

Map

Interesting Fact

The world’s largest wind turbine is the E-126 first built in Emden, Germany

E-126 can also be found in Belgium and Sweden

It is 650 ft tall with a rotor diameter of 413 ft

Built in 2007

Geothermal Energy

• Three ways to capture• Dry Steam• Flash Steam• Binary Cycle

• Reservoirs are classified as being either low temperature (below 150°C) or high temperature (above150°C)

•Heat from the earths core is used to boil water which turns a turbine attached to a generator

Geothermal in the U.S.

The United States is the leader in geothermal energy usage There are approximately

77 plants across the U.S.

Our country has the capacity to produce 3086 MW of energy today

The heaviest concentration of geothermal plants is located in California Previously geothermal

energy was only accessible near tectonic plate edges

Geothermal Across the Globe

Over 24 countries use geothermal energy

The Philippines is the number two producer

Geothermal is Iceland’s main energy source

Worldwide 10,715 MW of power are produced

Pro vs. Cons

PROS

Once installed it is very cheap to operate

Not dependent on gas or electricity to provide heat

Low emissions

Green energy

CONS

Amount of land required

Start up costs are expensive

Lack of accessible sites

Interesting Facts

It is considered a renewable resource

Geothermal got its name from the Greek words geo (earth) and therme (heat)

Hot springs and geysers are natural examples of geothermal activity

•For every 328ft below the ground drilled, the temperature rises 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit

Companies & Users

Mitsubishi: +80 different locations worldwide

Sky Power Systems, GeothermEX Inc, and Mitsubishi Power Systems Inc. are the major plants in California

The Geothermal Energy Association provides its members breaking news on the subject

Solar Power

Solar power is created by collecting sunlight and converting it into electricity This process is called

photovoltaic or pv for short

This is done by using solar panels, which are solar cells made from silicone that absorb the sun’s radiation

Solar cells produce direct current electricity Can be used to power equipment

or to recharge a battery

Pros and Cons of Solar EnergyPros

No Pollution It does not burn fuel and generates no emissions

Saves you Money You’ll be using less energy, so utility bills will be

much lower and often nothing at all.

Tax Breaks The U.S. government offers a tax credit

Nearly Maintenance Free Manufacturers are offering warranties of 20

years

Energy Credits You can build a credit of energy if your solar system

produces more energy than you use

The Noise Factor They are silent and have no moving parts.

Cons•Expensive

—The main disadvantage is the price. The panels and installation have high starting costs

•Not 24 Hours — They only work when the sun is

shining

•Aesthetics — Solar panels take up quite a bit of roof space and to some and aren’t pleasant to look at

America’s Potential for Solar Power

You ask why not use solar energy since there are more pros than cons?

Top states of potential solar energy New Mexico Arizona Nevada Utah California

Solar Calculator

American Solar Power

Water Power: as renewable energy

First to use: GreeksBecame widespread: 18th Century

+(Hydropower refers to process in which water is used as means to generate electricity.)+

United States: Hydropower Usage 81 % of our nations renewable electricity generation deriving from Hydropower

In the early part of the century hydroelectric plants supplied a bit less than one-half of the nation's power. (1940) Now 6-8%

The old “Schoelkopf Power Station No. 1” near Niagara Fallsin the U.S. side began to produce electricity in 1881.

By 1889 there were 200 Hydroelectricity plants within the U.S.

Very few companies that make hydroelectric turbines, can be purchased/used to power homes, small businesses, and small scale farms.

Where the rest of the fits: Hydropower is the most important and widely-used renewable source of energy on Earth.

Hydropower is to thank for 19% of total electricity production worldwide.

China is the largest producer of hydroelectricity, followed by Canada, Brazil, and the United States –Energy Information Administration.

Approximately 2/3 of the economic possible potential remains to be developed. Untapped hydro resources are still abundant in Latin America, Central Africa, India and China.

In 1878, the world's first house to be powered with hydroelectricity was Cragside in Northumberland, Enlgand.

New Zealand’s electricity is 80% renewable (mostly hydropower).

In South America, overall about 40% of electrical generating capacity is hydroelectric.

Brazil yielded a percentage of 86% in 1998.

Over 50% yeilds of potential generating capacity for the following countries: Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.

In Chile, a $0.5 billion renewable energy project recently suspended due to controversy over relocating indigenous peoples.

China’s Yangzte River projects are the world’s most ambitious due to motivation of two month death tolls of 3,000 dead, 5,000,000 homeless in a 1998 flood.

Countries worldwide are doing extensive research as well as developing budget’s for such facilities.

Pro’s +V.S- Con’s:- Potential destruction of land and wildlife habitat-High investment costs-Water Dependent-Fish entrainment or passage restriction (potential loss/modification of natural habitat).-Can result in displacement of local populations

-37.8 million homes powered.-Renewable-saving fossil fuels.-Recreation opportunities on upstream reservoirs.-Habitat for a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial species-Diversion of water(irrigation), and control of destructive flooding and environmental damage downstream.-Reducing your exposure to future fuel shortages/price increase.-Hydropower plays a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Water Power: as renewable energy

First to use: GreeksBecame widespread: 18th Century

+(Hydropower refers to process in which water is used as means to generate electricity.)+

United States: Hydropower Usage

81 % of our nations renewable electricity generation deriving from HydropowerIn the early part of the century hydroelectric plants supplied a bit less than one-half of the nation's power. (1940) Now 6-8%

The old “Schoelkopf Power Station No. 1” near Niagara Fallsin the U.S. side began to produce electricity in 1881.

By 1889 there were 200 Hydroelectricity plants within the U.S. Very few companies that make hydroelectric turbines, can be purchased/used to power homes, small businesses, and small scale farms.

Where the rest of the fits:Hydropower is the most important and widely-used renewable source of energy on Earth.

Hydropower is to thank for 19% of total electricity production worldwide.

China is the largest producer of hydroelectricity, followed by Canada, Brazil, and the United States –Energy Information Administration.

Approximately 2/3 of the economic possible potential remains to be developed. Untapped hydro resources are still abundant in Latin America, Central Africa, India and China.

In 1878, the world's first house to be powered with hydroelectricity was Cragside in Northumberland, Enlgand.

New Zealand’s electricity is 80% renewable (mostly hydropower).

In South America, overall about 40% of electrical generating capacity is hydroelectric.

Brazil yielded a percentage of 86% in 1998.

Over 50% yeilds of potential generating capacity for the following countries: Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.

In Chile, a $0.5 billion renewable energy project recently suspended due to controversy over relocating indigenous peoples.

China’s Yangzte River projects are the world’s most ambitious due to motivation of two month death tolls of 3,000 dead, 5,000,000 homeless in a 1998 flood.

Countries worldwide are doing extensive research as well as developing budget’s for such facilities.

Pro’s +V.S- Con’s:- Potential destruction of land and wildlife habitat-High investment costs-Water Dependent-Fish entrainment or passage restriction (potential loss/modification of natural habitat).-Can result in displacement of local populations

-37.8 million homes powered.-Renewable-saving fossil fuels.-Recreation opportunities on upstream reservoirs.-Habitat for a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial species-Diversion of water(irrigation), and control of destructive flooding and environmental damage downstream.-Reducing your exposure to future fuel shortages/price increase.-Hydropower plays a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In Conclusion

In conclusion renewable energy is a growing industry that not only benefits the businesses involved but also is good for reducing global warming and our dependence on fossil fuels.

There are many types of renewable energy all of which have their own positives and drawbacks