The Changing Importance of Other Energy Sources

IB Geography I

Objective

• To examine the changing importance of other energy sources.

• Answer the following IB Exam Question through discussion and analysis in small groups: – Examine the changing importance of three energy alternatives to fossil fuels.

Part 1

Traditional Sources of Energy: Fossil Fuels

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Oil Natural Gas Coal

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Bell Ringer: Use the graphs on the next slides to describe the patterns and trends in energy consumption in the US. Use specific data from the graph to support your answer.

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20% Renewable Energy by 2020 in the EU

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cysaOnlv _E

Nuclear Power

• • No other energy source creates such heated discussion! Main concerns: – Power plant accidents, which could release radiation into air, land, sea (Chernobyl in the Ukraine!) – Radioactive waste storage/disposal – Terrorist use of nuclear fuel for weapons – Possible increase in cancer near nuclear plants

Nuclear Power

• Advantages – Zero emissions from greenhouse gases – Reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels

Fast-breeder Reactor:

• • • • A few countries have developed this technology A nuclear reactor that is efficient at manufacturing plutonium fuel Greatly increases energy production BUT…. Can be very dangerous if it gets into the wrong hands! Plutonium is the key ingredient for nuclear weapons.

Part 2

What is Renewable Energy?

Renewable Resources

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Hydroelectricity

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Wind

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Biofuels

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Geothermal Energy

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Solar

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Tidal

Future Energy Needs

World energy consumption is expected to increase by 60% between 2000 and 2020

Trends In Renewable Energy Sources

• Renewable energy is rapidly growing.

• In 2006, wind development grew by 20%.

• In 2006, solar development grew by 40%.

• Renewable energy will become increasingly important as the world attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to slow down global warming.

Hydroelectric Power: Using the power of falling water in rivers to drive generators. At the moment dams have to be built to create HEP power.

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Advantages

It is a clean form of energy It is infinite as long as rivers are managed properly.

The built dam can also prevent flooding.

The reservoir behind the dam can be a store of water.

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Disadvantages

Only a limited number of suitable rivers Can hamper navigation up and down river Reservoirs may force resettlement

Hydroelectricity

33% of all power plants in the U.S. are hydroelectric, but they only generate 6% of U.S. electricity needs

Hydroelectricity

Hydroelectricity is a very clean, pollution-free, renewable energy source The water is not consumed, but rather simply passes the generating equipment, and since several dams may occur along the same river, the water can be reused and reused

Wind: Using the wind to move a wind turbine to drive a generator and create electricity.

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Advantages

It is a clean form of energy It is an infinite resource It can be used on a local scale e.g. in your back garden Technology is proven • • • •

Disadvantages

Visual pollution (NIMBY see below) Noise pollution Wind is unreliable It is hard to store surplus energy

Wind Energy

The wind is free, commonly available and can provide clean, pollution-free energy Today’s wind-turbines are very high tech

Biofuels/Biomass: fossil fuel substitutes that can be made from a range of agricultural crop materials including oilseeds, wheat, corn and sugar • •

Advantages

It is a renewable form of energy as long as people replant crops.

It is cheap and the resources can be grown locally • • •

Disadvantages

It can still release greenhouse gases.

Areas can be deforested to grow crops for energy generation.

If crops are used for energy production it can lead to an increase in food prices

Geothermal Energy: the natural heat found in the Earth’s crust in the form of steam, hot water and hot rock

Geothermal Energy

The steam and/or hot water is used to create electricity or for heating

Solar Power: Using the power of the sun to either heat water or generate electricity.

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Advantages

It is a clean form of energy It is a infinite resource Panels can be used locally e.g. on top of someone’s house It can be used to heat water and generate electricity.

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Disadvantages

It is expensive to make solar panels The sun does not shine all the time They can't be used at night It is hard store surplus energy Supply does not always equal demand

Solar Energy

The Sun is free (nobody owns or controls it) In principle, the amount of solar energy that reaches the Earth’s surface could provide for all human energy needs forever

Solar Energy

The distribution of solar energy over the continental U.S. in watts per square meter The desert regions of the southwest U.S. receive the most sunlight

Solar Electricity

A major limitation is cost, which greatly exceeds the cost of producing electricity using fossil fuels or nuclear power The best solar cells are only 20% efficient and only provide 50 watts of electricity per square meter of cell size

Tidal: Using the motion of incoming and outgoing tide to create energy

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Advantages

It is a clean form of energy It is an infinite resource, tides happen twice a day.

Ideal for island countries.

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Disadvantages

It can block important shipping routes May interfere with some animals e.g. sea otters and seals Limited number of sites Useless for landlocked countries High start up costs may be damaged by tropical storms

Tidal Power

You can use the flowing water between low and high tides to generate electricity, similar to hydropower

The Reasons for Variations in Energy Supply

Physical •Deposits of fossil fuels are only found in a limited number of locations •Wind power needs high average wind speeds throughout the year •Solar power needs a large number of days a year with strong sunlight. Economic •The most accessible, low cost energy sources are developed first •In poor countries, foreign direct, investment is often essential for development of energy sources Political •Countries wanting to develop nuclear electricity require permission from the International Atomic Energy Agency. • Legislation regarding emissions from power stations will favor less pollutant material.

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Renewables Small Group Discussion Activity

In groups of 3, you will answer the following IB Exam Question: Examine the changing importance of three energy alternatives to fossil fuels. Prep Work in Groups: • Unpack the question. What does “changing importance” mean? What does “Examine” mean? • Decide as a group which 3 renewables you want to focus on. (You may pick from: hydroelectric, biofuel, wind, tidal, solar, or geothermal) • Get resources/articles for those renewables from me. • Assign each group member to read/annotate and prepare for discussing 1 of the 3 assigned renewables.

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Individual Work in Preparation for Small Group Discussion

Read and Annotate your assigned evidence for your renewable energy source. Use the Essay Planning Tool “Paragraph Planner” to research and structure your findings on your assigned renewable energy source.

Small Group Discussions

• • • • On Tuesday, each group will come together, prepared with their annotated evidence, and completed “paragraph planner” As a group, you will spend approximately 3 minutes completing the “Introduction” part of the Essay Planning Tool together. As a group you will spend approximately 15 minutes discussing each renewable with the following protocol: – Owner of renewable presents findings from evidence and paragraph planner (4 min) – – Other 2 group members ask clarifying questions (2 min) Whole group discusses and incorporates that renewable into Essay Planning Tool, making sure they address the question. (9 min) As a group you will spend approximately 3 minutes completing the “Conclusion” Part of the Essay Planning Tool together.