APES - Renewable Sources of Energy

Biomass

The burning of organisms/biomass

Wind

Turbines are spun by the wind, which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy

Solar Energy

Photovoltaic cells - capture the suns light and use CONVERT THAT DIRECTLY INTO ENERGY

Active Solar Energy Systems - capture heat from the sun and use it to heat water so that it can be stored

Passive Solar Energy Systems - directly absorb the suns light, meaning it can’t be stored

Geothermal

Using the heat from Earth’s interior to head a liquid into steam, and this steam is then used to DRIVE AN ELECTRICAL GENERATOR

Hydroelectric

Dams: Dams COLLECT WATER IN RESERVOIRS, SPIN A TURBINE, that can be placed in a river where water spins a turbine

Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Hydrogen works with oxygen in the air to form water and release energy

Pros of Biomass (5)

Cheap, crops can be burned for fuel, crops are replanted so the CO2 isn’t just wasted, provides lots of heat, efficient developments slowly

Cons of Biomass (2)

Lots of CO2 emissions more deadly than the emissions from coal, inhaling the smoke from the burning of biomass can be deadly

Pros of Wind (7)

Affordable, available, zero emissions, fastest growing renewable, simple, modulant

Cons of Wind (5)

Kills birds and bats, not reliable, ugly, requires mining for minerals, requires the throwing away of old turbines

Pros of Solar Energy (9)

Relies on sun, free, panels are simple to build, common tech, standard manufacturing, easy to install, modular, can power for a very long time, low environmental impacts

Cons of Solar Energy (6)

Not reliable, takes up a lot of wildlife space, inefficient, wears out, can’t make power at night, requires back up electricity making it more expensive

Pros of Geothermal (2)

Flexible, good with high temperatures

Cons of Geothermal (4)

Extracting enough at an affordable price is hard, few and far between, low energy return for high cost, can release hydrogen sulfide

Pros of Hydroelectric (2)

Doesn’t generate air pollution or waste

Cons of Hydroelectric (2)

Construction of power plants can be expensive, loss in habitats following construction of dams

Pros of Hydrogen Fuel Cells (2)

Low environmental impact, no carbon dioxide is produced

Cons of Hydrogen Fuel Cells (2)

Technology is expensive, energy is still needed to create gas used in the fuel cell