Renewable Resources Renewable VS Nonrenewable Resources Renewable resources

Renewable Resources

Renewable VS Nonrenewable Resources • Renewable resources are natural resources that can be replenished over a short period of time EX: wood, solar, etc • Nonrenewable resources are natural resources that cannot be replaced EX: fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and natural gas

Renewable Resources • As we continue to use up our nonrenewable resources, we will eventually need to turn to alternative sources of energy, such as: • Solar power • Wind power • Geothermal power • Biofuels • Hydroelectric • Wave Power • Nuclear Power

Solar Power Solar power is the use of the Sun as a source of energy Advantages: No pollution, no noise, little maintenance to keep up solar cells Disadvantages: Solar cells and panels expensive, cannot be used 24 hours a day (storms, etc), no way to store the power harnessed by the Sun

Wind Power • Wind power uses wind as a source of energy • Advantages: • No pollution, free source of energy • Disadvantages: • Requires lots of space, no way to store energy, wind strength not constant, cannot be accessed 24 hours a day

Geothermal Power • Geothermal power uses thermal energy heated and stored in the Earth. The heated rocks below the Earth’s surface heat up water to create steam. Holes are then drilled into these specific geothermal regions so that the steam can escape. The steam is then used to turn turbines for energy

Geothermal Power • Advantages: • No pollution, little maintenance once built • Disadvantages: • Cannot build geothermal power plants everywhere, possible to run dry or lose steam

Biofuels are fuels (like wood or ethanol) composed of or produced from biological raw materials Advantages: No pollution, biofuels can be manufactured from a wide range of materials including crop waste, and manure, Because biofuels are produced locally, biofuel plants can employ new workers, creating new jobs in rural areas. Biofuel production will also increase the demand for suitable biofuel crops, providing economic stimulation to the agriculture industry. Disadvantages: Lower energy output and require greater quantities to produce the same energy levels, requires lots of land to grow crops, and massive water use

Hydroelectric Power • Hydroelectric Power is a form of energy generated by the conversion of free-falling water to electricity

Hydroelectric BENEFITS • It can supply electricity at low cost/KWH • No pollution • Very high efficiency (80%) • Already in place in many countries • Recreation dollars CONCERNS • Dams can negatively impact humans and environment

Wave Power Wave power uses the energy from waves to create a sustainable alternative energy source Advantages: The energy is free - no fuel needed, no waste produced, not expensive to operate and maintain, and can produce a great deal of energy. Disadvantages: Must be able to withstand rough weather, must be in a location to harness wave power, needs a suitable site with consistently strong waves

Wave Power

Wave Power

Nuclear Power • Fission – recall from astronomy that fission is the breaking apart of one larger atom into two or more smaller atoms • Tremendous amounts of energy are also released during fission reactions

Nuclear Power Advantages: The amount of fuel required (uranium) is very small (Related to one kilogram, uranium-235 contains two to three million times the energy equivalent of oil or coal) A tremendous amount of energy can be released from the small quantity of fuel (1 kg = 45, 000 k. Wh of electricity) Disadvantages: As a result of performing fission reactions, radioactive waste is generated and must be disposed of somewhere.

Disadvantages of Nuclear Power • FEAR of…

What parts of NC can use renewable resources? • Clearly the coastal areas, because they are located close to shore, could benefit from using wave power or even wind power with the constant sea breezes Potential for Wind Power in NC Red = Exellent Orange = Good Green = Marginal