Alternative Energy5.3

Great website…http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=solar_home-basics#solar_environment-basics

Wind Energy• http://

www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=wind_home-basics-k.cfm

Wind energy…how it works

• Wind blows across windmill

• Windmill turns

• Energy goes to generator to make electricity

Wind energy+ -

• Good– No air or water pollution– Wind blows constantly inn many places

• Problems– Can not be used everywhere (no wind)– Birds can fly into them and get hurt

Wind energy…used in…

• California• Texas• Iowa • Minnesota• Washington• Germany• Spain• China

Hydroelectric

Hydroelectric+ -

• Good– No air pollution– Helps control flooding downstream

• Problems– Fish can not migrate…fish ladders are put in– Floods areas where people were living

Tidal energy

Wave energy

Waves

• West coast of USA

• Japan

• New Zealand

Geothermal

Geothermal+ -

• Good– Costs less to operate– No air pollution

• Problems– No “hot spots” in all areas of the world

Photovoltaics…solar panels

Photovoltaics+ -

• Good– No pollution– Use space that isn’t used for anything else

• Problems– Not sunny all of the time

Photovoltaic

• NC

• California

• Germany

• Europe

Solar Hot Water

Solar hot water + -

• Good– Costs less to make hot water– No pollution

• Problems

Solar hot water

• USA

• Europe

• Central America

• …any place where it is sunny!

Homework

• Read pages 134 - 141

Output

• Sketch a house and show what alternative energy sources you could use if you have unlimited $$$!