Hydroelectric/Wind/Geothermal/Solar/Tidal + energy extras

Hydroelectric

Falling/flowing water (Kinetic energy) spins a turbine (Mechanical energy) which powers a generator (Electrical energy)

Wind

Sun's radiation (Radiant energy) heats earth's surface/atmosphere which sets up a convection current within the atmosphere. Wind moves (Kinetic energy) and spins a turbine (Mechanical energy) which powers a generator (Electrical energy).

Solar

Radiant energy strikes the panels and removes electrons from the Silica material. Due to the orientation of the panels it allows for the flow of these electrons through the panels (Electricity)

Geothermal

Steam/water/gas (Kinetic energy) from the Earth spins a turbine (Mechanical energy) which powers a generator (Electrical energy)

Tidal

Movement of waves/change in the tides (Kinetic energy) spins a turbine (Mechanical energy) which powers a generator (Electrical energy)

Wind advantages

Does not produce Greenhouse Gasses (GHGs), can be built on existing land/little impact to urban centers, creation of jobs

Wind disadvantages

Noise pollution, danger to aerial animals, issues with mining for Rare Earth Elements (Neodymium), location of wind farms are far from where energy will be consumed, wind is not constant

Solar advantages

Does not produce GHGs, easy to install, additional energy produced is sold back to power grid

Solar disadvantages

some toxic pollutants produced through manufacturing of panels, takes a lot of space, initial expense, does not produce when sun is not shining

Geothermal advantages

Does not produce GHGs, little space needed for plant construction, low maintenance costs

Geothermal disadvantages

Few places suitable for energy extraction, hazardous materials brought up with water/steam (hydrogen sulfide), site might run out of steam, possible earthquakes

Hydroelectric advantages

Adjustable with amount of energy produced (they can increase or decrease water flowing through dam), does not produce GHGs

Hydroelectric disadvantages

displacement of people due to flooding, nutrient levels in river systems decreased downstream from dam due to it settling out behind the dam, change in migration paths for aquatic organisms, expensive to build

Biomass advantages

Large supply, easily accessible (especially in less developed countries), carbon neutral (plants consume carbon dioxide which when burned will produce the same amount of carbon dioxide), reduction of landfill if waste is burned

Biomass disadvantages

requires more land, expensive, produces more methane, not as efficient as fossil fuels

Tidal advantages

Predictable energy production due to the predictable nature of the tides, new jobs, once in use no GHGs produced

Tidal disadvantages

disturbance of sensitive areas near coastal areas, injury/death of marine animals by blades, new industry which makes it difficult to find investors

First law of thermodynamics

Total energy in the universe remains constant (energy not created nor destroyed)

Second law of thermodynamics

the nature of energy will change from a more-ordered state to a less-ordered state which reduces the amount of work.

Energy transformations from Biomass to Electrical

Chemical energy within the molecular bonds are broken to release heat energy. In turn this energy is transferred to water to change its state to a gas to spin a turbine (Mechanical energy). This mechanical energy is then transformed by a generator into electrical energy

Energy conversion efficiency

the ratio of useful output of energy to the amount that we need to input (each time wanting to harness energy, some portion escapes).