Alternative Energy Resources Renewable Resources

Solar  VO4 VO4

 How It Works photovoltaic or photoelectric cells are used to convert sunlight directly into electricity  Advantage free, needs no fuel, produces no waste or pollution, safe  Disadvantage large power cells are expensive, needs mostly sunny climate, energy has to be stored  Uses heat water, cook food, power lights, used on satellites  Renewable yes – as long as the Sun remains burning Solar Energy from the Sun

photovoltaic or photoelectric cells

 moIoI moIoI

 How It Works wind is converted into electrical or mechanical energy  Advantage free, needs no fuel, produces no pollution  Disadvantage doesn’t work without wind, can be noisy, may kill birds  Uses produce electricity, used on satellites  Renewable yes – as long as the Sun heats the air and causes winds Wind Energy from Moving Air

 3Gw 3Gw

Waves Energy from the Ocean  How It Works wind is converted into electrical or mechanical energy  Advantage free, needs no fuel, produces no waste, can produce a great deal of energy  Disadvantage needs strong and consistent waves, can be noisy, equipment must be able to withstand very rough weather  Uses produce electricity  Renewable yes – as long as wind blows across water

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Geothermal Energy from Below the Crust  How It Works steam is collected and used to drive a turbine  Advantage needs little or no fuel, little impact on the environment  Disadvantage dangerous gases can come up from underground, can’t build power plant just anywhere  Uses produce electricity, heat homes  Renewable yes – as long the rocks remain heated by magma

 42k 42k

Hydroelectric Energy from Falling Water  How It Works the kinetic energy of falling water is converted to electrical energy  Advantage very reliable, water can be stored in dams for future use  Disadvantage expensive to build dams, causes upstream flooding  Uses produce electricity, heat/cool homes  Renewable yes – as long as the water cycle continues

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Biofuel Energy from Organic Material  How It Works Biofuel energy works by using fuels derived from living or dead biological organisms.  Advantage reduces waste materials, fuel tends to be cheap  Disadvantage when burned it creates greenhouse gases  Uses replaces gasoline or diesel for vehicles  Renewable yes – as long as there is organic material/waste being produced

 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. Energy from Other Sources