energy transformations in types of renewable energy

  • hydroelectric
    • potential energy (top opening of dam) → kinetic energy (water moves down the pathway in the dam + spins the turbine) → mechanical energy (as the turbine spins) → electricity (turbine spins generator, which converts mechanical to electric)
  • wind
    • kinetic energy (wind turbine spins + spins generator) → electricity (see above)
  • geothermal
    • heat energy (steam from hot water reservoirs below Earth’s surface) → kinetic energy (steam rotates turbine which activates a generator) → electricity (see hydroelectric)
  • biofuel
    • 3 main processes
    • direct combustion: burning of biomass to produce heat
    • thermochemical conversion: produces solid/liquid/gas fuel forms
    • chemical conversion: produces liquid fuels
    • heat energy (biomass burned in a boiler to produce steam) → kinetic energy (steam rotates turbine blades which activate generator) → electricity (see hydroelectric)
  • ocean/tidal
    • kinetic energy (natural rise/fall of tides - water movement spins turbine which activates generator) → electricity (see hydroelectric)
    • similar to hydroelectric but without potential energy use (kinetic energy comes straight from natural tide movement rather than potential energy conversion)
  • solar
    • light energy (sunlight on solar panels) → electricity (through PV (photovoltaic) panels)