APES Nuclear and Renewable Energy Review

Nuclear fission

The nucleus of a heavy atom splits which releases energy and neutrons

Advantages of nuclear energy

Reliable, Low emissions, high baseload power

Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy

Costly, Risk, uranium mining

3 Mile Island Disaster

Malfunction of cooling water that caused a partial reactor meltdown in 1979

Chernobyl

Fire at nuclear power plant that spread radioactive gasses through the air in 1986

Fukushima

Tsunami flooded back up generators causing a meltdown in 2011

Effects of Chernobyl

cancer in children, increased birth defects, short and long term death

Effects of Fukushima

evacuation, contaminated the area

Differences between a BWR and a PWR

BWR boils water to produce steam and PWR uses pressure to generate steam

Biomass Energy

Organic matter that is burned is used as an energy source

Biofuel Energy

Alcohol fuel made by fermenting sugars and starches in plants. Made from corn, soybeans, animal fats

Geothermal Energy

Heat energy from within the Earth used for electricity and heating. Source is from heat from the Earth’s core

Hydroelectric

Flowing water from reservoirs spins turbines connected to generators

Wind Energy

Moving air created by the uneven heating of Earth’s surface

Solar PV

Devices that convert light directly into electricity

Solar Concentrated Energy

Focus heat in one area to produce high temperatures required to make electricity

Passive Solar Energy

Directly absorbs heat from the sun to heat/cool buildings. Does not produce electricity

Tidal

captures the kinetic energy in changing tides

Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Combines hydrogen and oxygen that produces electricity, water, and heat from the reaction

Impact of Dams

can prevent fish migration, erosion, flood control

Energy sources that don’t require turbines

Solar passive, Solar PV, Biofuel, Hydrogen fuel cells

How wind energy works

The wind spins the turbines which powers the generator that powers the electricity

How passive solar energy benefits homeowners

Lowers A/C bills, naturally keeps a comfortable temperature

How geothermal heat exchange works

fluid is pumped through pipes that go underground which heats the fluid from the Earth’s natural heat and moves that energy around the building

Advantages of Geothermal Heat Exchange

Energy efficient, low costs, doesn’t release CO2

Disadvantages of Geothermal Heat Exchange

high up front costs, complex design, electricity is still needed to pump fluid

Watts equation

W= J/s

Energy efficiency equation

useful energy output/ total energy input x 100