Alternative Energy and the Environment Chapter 19 Alternative Energy and the Environment

Introduction to Alternative Energy Sources Renewable and nonrenewable energy resources that are alternatives to the fossil fuels Renewable Energy Alternative energy sources, such as solar, water, wind and biomass, that are more or less continuously made available in a time framework useful to people Nonrenewable Energy Alternative energy sources, including nuclear and geothermal, that are dependent on fuels or a resource that may be used up much faster than it is replenished by natural processes

Solar Energy Passive Solar Energy Systems Active Solar Energy Systems Direct use of solar energy through architectural design to enhance or take advantage of natural changes in solar energy that occur throughout the year without requiring mechanical power Active Solar Energy Systems Direct use of solar energy that requires mechanical power; usually consists of pumps and other machinery to circulate air, water or other fluids from solar collectors to heat sink where the heat may be stored

Solar Collectors: provide space heating or hot water Photovoltaic: converts sunlight directly into electricity Power Towers: type of solar energy system Solar Ponds: generate low-temperature water Ocean Thermal Conversion: involves using the ocean as a giant solar collector

Hydrogen Fuel generated by the sun Fuel cells: uses and stores hydrogen

Water Power A form of stored solar energy One of the world’s oldest and most common energy sources Sources vary in size

Tidal Power Form of water utilizing ocean tides in places where favorable topography allows for construction of a power plant

Wind Power Alternative energy source that has been used for centuries More recently thousands of windmills have been installed to produce electric energy

Biomass Energy Energy that is recovered from biomass, which is organic material such as plant and animal waste

Geothermal Energy Natural heat from the interior of the Earth that is converted to heat buildings and generate electricity