Alternative Fuels

Traditional Method

Renewable Alternative Resources p.9

• Solar Power

• Geothermal energy

• Wind

• Water – Hydroelectric power

Solar Power – Uses Photovoltaic Cells

• Solar power is, in simple terms, the harnessing of useable energy output generated through a process designed to extract energy from photons in the sun’s rays.

Geothermal Energy p.10

• Water within the earth is heated by magma or rocks that are near magma,

• Water to steam which can run turbines to produce electricity.

• Iceland – 80% of homes are heated by geothermal energy.

Geothermal Energy

• Iceland Uses

U.S. Geothermal heating

Geoexchange technology uses basic plumbing equipment and traditional air-conditioning ducts combined with ground loops buried horizontally or vertically to exploit the constant 55- degree temperatures found in soil and water below the frost line, four to six

feet down.

Hydroelectric Energy p.11

• 11 % of the U.S. electricity

• Dams hold back water. As the water is released it falls, turning turbines and running generators producing electricity.

Energy from Tides (Oceans)p.12

• Twice a day water moves up the beach and down the beach. (high and low Tides)

• As high tide approaches they capture water then release it at low tide. Turning turbines to create electricity.

The global winds and the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the earth create ocean waves and tides, which can also be harnessed to provide energy.

Wave Action p.12

• As a buoy moves up and down it turns a generator.

Wind Energy p.13

• Wind spins a propeller and turns a generator which produces electricity.

• Sometimes wind doesn’t blow so wind energy is not a constant.

Nuclear Energy NONRENEWABLE!! But Effective

p.14

• Nuclear fission – the splitting of atoms

Releases lots of energy when an atom is split into two smaller atoms.

Nuclear power plants split Uranium (mined from the earth = nonrenewable)

Power Equivalence

1 gram of Uranium = 3000 kg of coal

1 gram of Uranium = 14 barrels of crude oil

Nuclear Fusion p.14

• Taking two atoms and putting them together.

• Releases energy!

• See board

Down Fall of Nuclear Energy

• The waste material is radioactive

• Which means it can cause serious side effects to humans.

Cancer, Birth Defects, Pollution to water and food supply.

Chernobyl Russia

Homework

• Pg. 203 # 1-4

• Pg. 207 #1-3

• Read the section if you can’t answer the questions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!