Alternative Energy

Do Now 1/10/14 List as many things as you can that your household re-uses. Example: My husband reuses glass jars to hold his nails and screws.

NUCLEAR ENERGY – How it Works Nuclear fission uses uranium to create heat. Water is heated making steam which turns the turbine. Turbine runs the generator which creates electricity.

Nuclear Energy

NUCLEAR ENERGY – Pros/Cons Advantages: Less Pollution Lower Cost Disadvantages: Nonrenewable Fear of nuclear accidents

SOLAR Energy – How it Works Solar panels collects photons from the Sun. They pull out electrons, creating electricity.

SOLAR Energy – Pros/Cons Advantages: Renewable Efficient No pollution Disadvantages: Expensive

GEOTHERMAL Energy – How it Works Water is pumped into the ground. It is heated by heat from within the Earth. The steam produced turns the turbine which powers the generator making electricity.

Geothermal - Pros/Cons Advantages: Renewable Less Pollution Less Expensive (In some areas) Disadvantages: Not easy to get to.

WIND Energy – How it Works Wind turns the turbine which powers the generator, creating energy.

Wind Energy - Pros/Cons Advantages: Renewable Less Pollution Less Expensive Disadvantages: Not windy everywhere Noisy Harmful to birds

BIOMASS Energy – How it Works Organic material is burned to heat water and create steam. Steam turns the turbine which powers the generator making electricity.

Biomass Energy - Pros/Cons Advantages: Renewable Less Expensive Discards waste Disadvantages: Air Pollution Smelly

HYDROELECTRIC – How it Works Water flows past turning the turbine which powers the generator creating electricity.

Hydroelectric Energy - Pros/Cons Advantages: Renewable No Pollution Less Expensive Disadvantages: Changes Ecosystems Must have hills or mountains and running water

Tidal Energy – How it Works As tides rise and fall water turns the turbine which powers the generator that creates electricity.

Tidal Energy - Pros/Cons Advantages: Renewable No Pollution Less Expensive Disadvantages: Limited Areas Can interfere with shipping