Renewable Energy IB

Tackling Climate Change CO 2 reduction: – Improved efficiencies – Fuel switching – Renewable energy sources – Nuclear power – CO 2 capture and storage – Increase natural ‘sinks’

Energy Conservation Recycling Reuse Reduction Substitution (transfer of resource pressure) Disposal – Landfill – Incineration – Composting

Renewable Energy Energy that can be used more than once – Solar – Wind – Wave – Tidal – Hydroelectric – Geothermal – Nuclear? – Biomass?

Solar Renewable Clean Abundant But… – Expensive – Low base – Regional © Farallon National Wildlife Refuge / DOE - NREL

Wind Localised Distant Inconsistent Visual impacts? © Ed Linton / DOE - NREL

Wave

Tidal

Tidal Barrage Expensive to develop Limited locations Impacts: Environmental / Industrial

Rance Estuary, France

Typical Tidal Barrage

H.E.P.

Hydroelectric electricity is the most popular type of renewable energy. In some countries, it represents most of the energy produced. HEP provides over 70% of Brazil’s electricity. Dam at Donzere, France HydroElectric Power Hydroelectric energy is produced from fast-flowing water such as waterfalls, or by an artificial dam.

Hot waterCold water geothermal plant fractured rock Geothermal

Iceland has geothermal energy due to its position on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. One example is the Svartsengi geothermal power station. At Pingvellir, the American and Eurasian plates are moving apart. Waste water from the power station Geothermal where? The Blue Lagoon, an important tourist attraction, is also found at Svartsengi. This water is fed by subterranean hot brine and is said to be beneficial for those suffering from skin complaints. Iceland has many hot springs which provide 90% of the hot water in the country.

Biomass & Fuelwood

Nuclear

Rio ‘Earth Summit’ 1992 (UNCED) Note: Rio 2012 (+20) – UN Conference on Sustainable Development 172 nations, including 116 HoS: Agenda 21 Scrutiny of production: poisonous waste (inc. rad) Alternatives to fossil fuels Climate change convention (note: Kyoto) Reliance on public transportation Growing scarcity of water Convention on Biodiversity

International Initiatives: Rio 1992 Kyoto 1997Copenhagen 2009

Renewable Energies Case Studies Orites, Kouklia, CyprusBelo Monte, Brazil