Renewable Energy Resources Essential Questions 1 What are

Renewable Energy Resources

Essential Questions: 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy sources? 2. How can my research findings be presented in a debate format?

Renewable Energy Resources Define Renewable What does it mean if something is renewable? © Kesler. Science. com

Renewable Energy Resources • Energy sources which naturally renew or replenish themselves over a period of time • Not depleted by use © Kesler. Science. com

Renewable Energy Resources What do we mean by advantage and disadvantage? • Advantage means for a good effect, favorable gain, or desired end. • Disadvantage means for a bad effect, unfavorable, or undesired end. © Kesler. Science. com

Renewable Energy Resources Biomass • • © Kesler. Science. com Energy from any material that comes from plants or microorganisms that were recently living Trees, branches, scraps of bark, and recycled paper are examples of biomass energy The energy comes from burning it. It becomes biofuel when mixed with gasoline, such as ethanol.

Renewable Energy Resources Advantages Disadvantages 1. Can be stored and used when needed 1. Growing crops for biofuels requires large amounts of land pesticides. 2. Releases less harmful pollutants than gasoline 3. Uses materials that might normally be discarded © Kesler. Science. com 2. Land could be used for growing food. 3. Pesticides can pollute.

Renewable Energy Resources Wind • • © Kesler. Science. com Wind energy is captured with wind turbines. The blades turn a generator(located inside the tower), which creates electricity. Groups of wind turbines are known as wind farms. Found near farmland, in narrow mountain passes, and even in the ocean

Renewable Energy Resources Advantages Disadvantages 1. Can be very efficient and cheap in places with steady winds 1. Wind is inconsistent. 2. It’s clean, no pollutants © Kesler. Science. com 2. Not a good source of energy in all locations. 3. Dangerous for bats and birds

Renewable Energy Resources Hydroelectric • Energy made by flowing water • Hydroelectric power plants are located on large dams, which control the flow of a river. • A controlled amount of water flows through the tunnels and turns huge turbines which generate electricity. © Kesler. Science. com

Renewable Energy Resources Advantages Disadvantages 1. Energy is inexpensive to harness. 1. Damming a river causes a great environmental impact for people, plants, and wildlife. 2. Because rivers are everywhere, it’s an available resource. 3. Reliable because engineers control the flow of water © Kesler. Science. com 2. Dependent on rainfall to fill reservoir 3. Expensive to build a dam

Renewable Energy Resources Geothermal • • • © Kesler. Science. com Heat energy from deep within the Earth Water is warmed by magma and pumped to the surface. Geothermal heat pumps create heat for houses and other buildings. Steam can also be brought to the surface and used to turn a turbine to generate electricity. 90% of people in Iceland use this heat source.

Renewable Energy Resources Advantages Disadvantages 1. Clean 1. Not a wide spread source of energy 2. Does not require another fuel source to produce it 3. Does not emit any harmful pollutants into the air © Kesler. Science. com 2. High installment costs to build power plants 3. Not easily transported

Renewable Energy Resources Solar • Energy from the sun • Active solar energy uses technology to capture the sun’s rays (solar cells). • Passive solar energy gets energy from the way sunlight naturally changes throughout the day. (house might face a certain way to capture more of the sun’s rays) © Kesler. Science. com

Renewable Energy Resources Advantages Disadvantages 1. Relatively simple technology 1. Energy cannot be created at night. 2. Little maintenance 2. Cloud cover reduces power. 3. Reliable and quiet 4. Free energy after purchasing solar panels © Kesler. Science. com 3. Works best if at the optimal angle towards the sun 4. Only converts 20% of the sun’s energy to electricity

Renewable Energy Resources Generating electricity from renewable resources 1. Solar and biomass are used to induce heat. 2. The energy is used to heat water. 3. The water turns to steam. 4. The steam turns a turbine (geothermal). Or water turns it (hydroelectric) and wind turns it (wind). 5. The turbine shaft is connected to the shaft of a generator. 6. Magnets spin within wire coils to produce electricity. © Kesler. Science. com Hydroelectric Geothermal Wind Biomass Solar

Renewable Energy Resources Can you… List the advantages and disavantages of different types of renewable energy sources? © Kesler. Science. com