LEAPES UNIT 6

Energy Use in Developed Countries

Developed countries primarily rely on fossil fuels and alternatives, such as nuclear and renewable energy resources.

Energy Use in Developing Countries

Developing countries predominantly use biomass due to its abundance and affordability.

Incentives for Renewable Energy

Governments can offer tax breaks for homes or businesses that implement sustainable energy systems like solar panels.

Advantages of Nuclear Energy

No carbon emissions, no air pollution, and it's energy dense.

Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy

Challenges include waste storage, pollution from uranium mining, and high costs of building power plants.

Advantages of Hydroelectric Energy

It produces no carbon emissions and allows for free energy once dams are built.

Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Energy

Potential for flooding upstream and disrupting fish migration.

Advantages of Solar Energy

No carbon emissions, can sell surplus energy, and it's usable on a small scale.

Disadvantages of Solar Energy

Pollution from mining materials for PV cells and efficiency drops when it's cloudy.

Advantages of Wind Energy

No carbon emissions, can be scaled up for large communities, and is free after installation.

Disadvantages of Wind Energy

Bird deaths due to turbines and issues with aesthetic and noise pollution.

Advantages of Geothermal Energy

Produces no carbon emissions, can heat homes, and is used to generate electricity.

Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy

Limited to locations near hotspots or plate boundaries.

Advantages of Fuel Cells

No carbon emissions and the only byproduct is water vapor.

Disadvantages of Fuel Cells

Hydrogen is rare and energy-intensive to extract; sustainability depends on renewable sources.

Advantages of Biomass

Potentially renewable, affordable, and emits less carbon than fossil fuels.

Disadvantages of Biomass

Contributes to air pollution and health hazards when burned indoors.

Transition in Electricity Generation

Shift from coal and nuclear to natural gas in recent years.

Nuclear Power Production Process

Nuclear fission heats water to create steam, which turns a turbine to generate electricity.

Fuels for Electricity Generation

Includes natural gas, coal, nuclear, wind, solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal.

Transportation Fuels

Predominantly oil (petroleum).

Commercial/Residential Fuels

Primarily natural gas.

Agriculture Fuels

Most commonly oil (petroleum).

Cogeneration Process

Captures wasted heat from power plants to generate additional energy.

Fracking

A method of extracting gas by injecting fluid into rock layers.

Environmental Concerns of Fracking

Contamination of water and air due to methane and fracking fluid.

Formation of Fossil Fuels

Created by the burial and compaction of organic matter over millions of years.

Optimal Areas for Wind Energy

Effective near coastlines or open plains.

Effective Areas for Solar Energy

Best in desert regions with high sunlight and low cloud coverage.

Effective Areas for Geothermal Energy

Found along plate boundaries and volcanic hotspots.

Effective Areas for Hydroelectric Energy

Located near rivers, particularly in mountainous regions.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Energy Generation

Splits hydrogen gas into protons and electrons, producing an electrical current.

Pros of Hydroelectric Dams

Carbon emission-free electricity and recreational opportunities.

Cons of Hydroelectric Dams

Disrupts fish migration and leads to habitat destruction.

Location of Fossil Fuel Deposits in the U.S.

Coal found in Appalachian Mountains; oil and gas from Texas to North Dakota.

Benefits of Natural Gas vs Coal/Oil

Natural gas burns cleaner, producing fewer emissions than coal or oil.

Passive Solar Heating

A building design that maximizes sunlight for heating efficiency.

Photovoltaic Cells Energy Production

Silicon-based cells that convert sunlight into electrical current.

Radioactive Decay

The predictable breakdown of a radioactive element into a stable element.

Ultimate Source of Energy on Earth

The sun.