Overview of Unit -The purpose of this unit is to provide students with an introduction to the concepts and theory of alternative energy. -You will learn about the underlying theory and science that supports these technologies. -With this you will see the application of the various theories and how they were harnessed to create a clean energy solution. -Looking at the background of these technologies also shows that what is occurring is an extension of older processes. In each case most of these technologies are more an improvement than they are a new and radical way of doing things.

Within the skilled trades arena, alternative energy solutions are the emerging trend. Most of the work involved in the following unit will involve electrical work. The electrician trade of the future will have a significant portion involved in the installation, maintenance and design of alternative energy systems for seasonal and year round accommodations. The following unit topics will provide these experiences: Topic 1: Types of energy Topic 2: Sources of energy Topic 3: Power and Energy overview

Topic 1: Types Of Energy Most of this section is theoretical in nature, but this material forms the basis of how energy is converted and transferred and is important within the study of alternative energy concepts. Work has a definite relationship with energy. To understand work we must first understand force. Force is a push or pull on an object. If the object moves then work has been done. Work is defined as the force exerted on an object multiplied by the distance the object travels while that force is exerted

Energy Energy is defined as the ability to do work. It doesn’t mean that the object will actually move but that it can. This is the only difference between work and energy; they even have the same units of measurement: joules. But we classify energy into two types, and when you start looking at those types you get a better sense of how work and energy are related.

Types of Energy The main types of energy we are going to discuss for this outcome are: Kinetic Energy Potential Energy

Kinetic Energy Kinetic energy is known as the energy of motion, it is the energy something gets from moving, and the energy it would take to stop it. Obviously a speeding car has a significant amount of energy it can transfer to something, while a parked car does not.

Potential Energy Potential energy is the energy of position, or specifically the energy something gets from either its own physical properties, or its distance from the surface of the earth. Gravitational energy would be a potential energy.

Work & Energy Now that we have seen the two types of energy, we can see why work and energy are related. We exert a force on something to raise it above the ground, and how far we raise it would be the distance we exert that force. The work done to raise that object would then be equal to the potential energy it has gained.

For kinetic energy the force required to stop the motion over the distance it is exerted is the same as the kinetic energy the object has. This would also be the work done to stop the object and would be equal to the kinetic energy.

Video Potential and Kinetic Energy Work

Classifying the main types of Energy The main types of energy can be further broken down into the following sub-types. Each of these has a definite relation to potential and kinetic energy. Radiant Energy (kinetic) - Electromagnetic energy travelling in transverse waves, including visible light. Stored Mechanical Energy (potential) - This is energy that is stored in an object by the application of a force; but a perfect example is a compressed spring.

Nuclear Energy (potential) - Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom, released through a variety of processes. Motion (kinetic) - Purest form of Kinetic energy, energy of an object due to its motion. Sound (kinetic) - Sound travels in longitudinal waves of compressions and rarefactions. These alternating bands of particles have energy within them. Gravitational Energy (potential) - Any two bodies exert a gravitational force on each other, and this gravitational energy gets larger depending upon the size of the body and how close they are to each other.

Thermal (kinetic) - As an object is heated, the molecules within it speed up. They are able to transfer this energy by collisions between their molecules and other object’s molecules nearby. Electrical Energy (kinetic) - Energy caused by the flow of electrons. Chemical (potential) - Energy stored within the bonds of atoms and molecules.

The First Law of Thermodynamics The first law of thermodynamics states that energy can be transferred/converted but cannot be created or destroyed. A fossil fuel burning in an engine converts its stored chemical energy to mechanical energy through combustion (a chemical process). Some of the energy is converted and lost from the engine to heat, friction, sound and light.

Source of Energy? Energy does not just appear, it has to have some source…whether it can be seen or not. There is no such thing as energy that just happens, everything has a source. From an alternative energy perspective the major energy sources, wind, water and solar all come as a conversion from something else. Wind and water are direct conversions from mechanical energy, while solar is also partially such a conversion as well as an electrochemical one.