Transcript Chapter 18 Alternative Energy and the Environment Botkin and Keller

Chapter 18
Alternative Energy and
the Environment
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Introduction to Alternative Energy
Sources
• Alternative Energy
– Renewable and nonrenewable energy resources that are
alternatives to the fossil fuels
• Renewable Energy
– Alternative energy sources, such as solar, water, wind and
biomass, that are more or less continuously made available
in a time framework useful to people
• Nonrenewable Energy
– Alternative energy sources, including nuclear and
geothermal, that are dependent on fuels or a resource that
may be used up much faster than it is replenished by
natural processes
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Solar Energy
• Passive Solar Energy Systems
– Direct use of solar energy through architectural design
to enhance or take advantage of natural changes in solar
energy that occur throughout the year without requiring
mechanical power
• Active Solar Energy Systems
– Direct use of solar energy that requires mechanical
power; usually consists of pumps and other machinery
to circulate air, water or other fluids from solar
collectors to heat sink where the heat may be stored
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
• Solar Collectors: provide space heating or hot
water
• Photovoltaic: converts sunlight directly into
electricity
• Power Towers: type of solar energy system
• Solar Ponds: generate low-temperature water
• Ocean Thermal Conversion: involves using the
ocean as a giant solar collector
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Hydrogen
• Fuel generated by the sun
• Fuel cells: uses and stores hydrogen
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Water Power
• A form of stored solar energy
• One of the world’s oldest and most common
energy sources
• Sources vary in size
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Tidal Power
• Form of water utilizing ocean tides in places
where favorable topography allows for
construction of a power plant
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Wind Power
• Alternative energy source that has been
used for centuries
• More recently thousands of windmills have
been installed to produce electric energy
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Biomass Energy
• Energy that is recovered from biomass,
which is organic material such as plant and
animal waste
• Sources of Biomass
• Biomass Energy and the Environment
• Future of Biomass
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Geothermal Energy
• Natural heat from the interior of the Earth
that is converted to heat buildings and
generate electricity
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e