Alternative Energy Resources

Renewable Resources

Solar Energy from the Sun• How It Works• Photovoltaic or

photoelectric cells are used to convert sunlight directly into electricity.

• Uses • Heat water, cook food,

power lights, used on satellites

• Renewable• Yes, as long as the Sun

remains burning

• Advantages Free Does not need fuel Produces no waste or

pollution Safe

• Disadvantages Large power cells are

expensive. Needs mostly sunny climate Energy has to be stored.

Photovoltaic or Photoelectric Cells

Wind Energy from Moving Air

• How It Works• Wind is converted into

electrical or mechanical energy.

• Uses • Produce electricity, used

on satellites

• Renewable• Yes, as long as the Sun

heats the air and causes winds

• Advantages Free Does not need fuel Produces no pollution

• Disadvantages Doesn’t work without

wind Can be noisy May kill birds

WavesEnergy from the Ocean

• How It Works• Wind is converted

into electrical or mechanical energy.

• Uses • Produce electricity

• Renewable• Yes, as long as wind

blows across water

• Advantages Free Does not need fuel Produces no waste Can produce a great deal

of energy

• Disadvantages Needs strong and

consistent waves Can be noisy Equipment must be able

to withstand very rough weather.

Geothermal Energy from Below the Crust

• How It Works• Steam is collected and

used to drive a turbine.

• Uses • Produce electricity,

heat homes

• Renewable• Yes, as long the rocks

remain heated by magma

• Advantages Needs little or no fuel Minimal physical impact

on the environment

• Disadvantages Dangerous gases can

come up from underground.

Power plants can only be built in specific locations.

Hydroelectric Energy from Falling Water

• How It Works• The kinetic energy of

falling water is converted to electrical energy.

• Uses • Produce electricity• Heat/cool homes

• Renewable• Yes, as long as the water

cycle continues

• Advantages Very reliable Water can be stored in

dams for future use.

• Disadvantages Expensive to build dams Causes upstream

flooding

Biofuel Energy from Organic Material

• How It Works• Biofuel energy works by using

fuels derived from living or dead biological organisms.

• Uses • Replaces gasoline or diesel for

vehicles

• Renewable• Yes, as long as there is organic

material/waste being produced.

• Advantages Reduces waste

materials Fuel tends to be cheap.

• Disadvantages When burned, it

creates greenhouse gases.

Energy from Other Sources

• Tidal• Uses the tides to generate

energy

• Nuclear• Splits the atom to produce

energy

• Waste • Burns garbage to produce energy

• Hydrogen Cells• Converts hydrogen gas and

oxygen to electricity

• All forms of energy have advantages and disadvantages.