Ch 16 Renewable Energy

Solar Power

Energy from the sun used for heat, electricity, or other applications; abundant but diffuse and intermittent.

Photovoltaic Cells

Devices made of semiconductor material that convert sunlight directly into electricity when light hits them.

Solar Troughs

Trough-shaped reflectors that focus sunlight onto a fluid-filled pipe, producing steam to power a turbine.

Power Towers

Systems that use sun-tracking mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a tower-mounted receiver to generate electricity.

Hydropower

Energy generated by moving or falling water turning turbines; the most widely used renewable energy source.

Wind Power

Energy generated by wind turning turbine blades that drive a generator.

Wind Turbine

A tall structure with rotating blades driven by wind that produce electricity through a generator.

Biomass Energy

Energy from burning organic materials such as wood, crops, and waste; derived from present-day photosynthesis.

Geothermal Energy

Energy using naturally heated underground water or steam to produce electricity or regulate building temperatures.

Why would it be beneficial to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources?

Renewables reduce CO₂ emissions, decrease pollutants, address diminishing fossil fuel reserves, improve safety, and expand energy access to areas without reliable power.

What are some obstacles to replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources?

Existing infrastructure is built around fossil fuels, large government support is needed, renewable technology can be costly, and fossil fuels receive massive subsidies.

What is the distribution of energy production potential? Which sources of energy have a higher potential?

Solar has extremely high global potential, wind has strong potential in coastal and high-wind regions, and geothermal has high potential near volcanically active areas.

What are benefits of fossil fuels and nuclear energy over renewable?

They provide consistent, reliable electricity that does not depend on weather or time of day.

Describe the abundance of solar power.

Solar power is abundant but diffuse; varies by season, latitude, and atmospheric conditions, making collection, conversion, and storage challenging.

Is solar power highly focused or diffuse?

Solar energy is diffuse and spread out, requiring technology to focus or convert it.

What are some complications of solar power?

Intermittency (nighttime, cloudy days), varying efficiency by location, high upfront costs, and energy storage challenges.

Which countries are leaders in the use of solar power?

Germany and several others in the EU and Asia lead in solar adoption and solar-friendly grid policies.

What are 3 things we can use solar power for in our lives?

Heating water, space heating, and producing electricity.

How does solar power produce electricity?

List and describe at least 2 methods. Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into electricity; solar troughs and power towers concentrate sunlight to heat fluids that drive turbines.

What are some disadvantages of solar power?

List and describe at least 3. Cannot collect at night, varies by season/location, can harm wildlife (bird incineration), high upfront costs, and pollution from manufacturing.

What are benefits of hydropower?

Reduces fossil fuel use, long plant life, can provide flood control, and reservoirs offer recreation.

What is a specific benefit related to the time of day hydropower energy can be collected?

Hydropower can be generated during peak daytime demand when electricity use is highest.

What are some disadvantages of hydropower?

Reservoirs flood land, destroy habitats, displace communities, block fish migration, and increase evaporation.

Even though hydropower doesn't create greenhouse gases, what might it do to land in the surrounding area?

Submerge farmland, forests, towns, and natural habitats.

Wind in many locations is inconsistent; where would the best location be to build wind turbines with more consistent winds?

Offshore areas, coastlines, and high-altitude plains with steady, strong winds.

Describe the process of using geothermal energy to regulate the temperature inside houses.

Geothermal heat pumps use the stable underground temperature (~60°F) to move heat into or out of buildings for heating and cooling.

How is electricity produced using geothermal energy?

Hot underground water