for the instructor Energy part 4 covers alternative ways to generate electricity using solar and bio-fuels the slide show starts with the next slide

Energy

Electrical Energy Alternatives Solar Energy I Existing form of electricity production, producing <0.1% of electricity for the U.S. Advantages: Existing form of energy production Does not produce CO 2 Can be done on small scale and large scale effectively Energy can be collected by several different methods; photovoltaic (PV), concentrating solar power, thermal and water heating

Electrical Energy Alternatives Solar Energy I Advantages: Existing form of energy production Does not produce CO 2 Can be done on small scale and large scale effectively Energy can be collected by several different methods; photovoltaic (PV), concentrating solar power, thermal and water heating Disadvantages: Relatively costly to build & cost to operate is variable Has intermittent energy production (though this is generally predictable) Large solar farms can have environmental impacts

Electrical Energy Alternatives Solar Energy II – Solar Radiation Not all regions in the U.S. receive equal amounts of solar radiation. The figures to the right indicate variations in solar radiation for summer and winter on a monthly basis for continental U.S. KWh/m 2 /day is kilowatt hours per meter-squared per day

Electrical Energy Alternatives Solar Energy III - Photovoltaic Photovoltaic's (PV) involves the creation of voltage in a material as a result of electro-magnetic radiation exposure (sunlight).

Electrical Energy Alternatives Solar Energy III - Photovoltaic Photovoltaic's are relatively costly to install but have low operational costs. It is believed that current PV cells will operate well for approximately 30 years, and generally have warranties for years.

Electrical Energy Alternatives Solar Energy IV – Concentrating Solar Power Concentrating solar power (CSP) utilizes mirrors and lenses to focus light onto PV surfaces or to heat fluids to generate electricity.

Electrical Energy Alternatives Solar Energy IV – Concentrating Solar Power This type of operation is relatively costly to build and but have moderate operational costs. To be operationally cost-efficient these plants are, and will probably remain, restricted to the western U.S. & Florida.

Electrical Energy Alternatives Biomass/Algae I Existing form of energy production, producing ~3.6% of overall power for the U.S. Advantages bio-materials for energy: It more efficiently utilizes solar radiation to generate energy Recycles CO 2 in the atmosphere (carbon-neutral; efficiency of recycling varies based on which bio- material is used) Can be used for fuel and to generate electricity Theoretically, should be cheaper than oil as an energy source

Electrical Energy Alternatives Biomass/Algae I Advantages bio-materials for energy : It more efficiently utilizes solar radiation to generate energy Recycles CO 2 in the atmosphere (carbon-neutral; efficiency of recycling varies based on which bio- material is used) Can be used for fuel and to generate electricity Theoretically, should be cheaper than oil as an energy source Disadvantages bio-materials for energy : Produces CO 2 as a waste May increase cost for some agricultural products May increase deforestation in tropical regions

Electrical Energy Alternatives Biomass/Algae II Use of biofuels to generate electricity is still not a large contributor in the U.S. Largest source of electricity from biofuels is landfill gas (methane, ethane & propane generated from the decomposition of trash) UNH, New Hampshire Seneca Meadows, NY

Electrical Energy Alternatives Biomass/Algae III Onondaga county utilizes trash incineration to dispose of solid waste. The incineration process produces electricity for over 25,000 homes in the area. Trash to Energy facility located off Rock Cut Road in Syracuse

Electrical Energy Alternatives Biomass/Algae IV Other existing sources of electricity from biomass include: Wood burning stoves/hot water heating systems Waste wood product for industrial electricity generation Manure gas generation Chicken manure plant in the Netherlands, produces electricity for 80,000 homes

Electrical Energy Alternatives Biomass/Algae V Another possible source of biomass energy for both fuel and electricity generation is algae. Current research is preliminary.