Breaking our bond with fossil fuels! The Role of Renewable Energy Consumption in the Nation’s Energy Supply, 2007

What is Renewable Energy? Renewable energy sources are constantly replenished and will never run out. Renewable energy resources include: Solar energy Ocean Energy Wind Energy Geothermal Energy Bioenergy Hydropower Hydrogen and Fuel Cells

Solar Energy Solar energy comes either directly or indirectly from the sun. Sunlight can be used in many ways. These include: Heating air and water Natural Lighting Generating electricity Solar Cooking

Solar Energy Solar energy comes either directly or indirectly from the sun. Sunlight can be used in many ways. These include: Heating air and water Natural Lighting Generating electricity Solar Cooking

Solar Energy Solar energy comes either directly or indirectly from the sun. Sunlight can be used in many ways. These include: Heating air and water Natural Lighting Generating electricity Solar Cooking

Ocean Energy Ocean energy comes from a number of sources. Mechanical energy: The energy of the ocean's waves, which are driven by both the tides (moon’s gravity) and the waves (from the wind). Thermal Energy: The sun also warms the surface of the ocean more than the ocean depths, creating a temperature difference that can be used as an energy source.

Wind Energy Wind energy was first used to power sail boats The first “windmill” was created to crush grains into flour Early windmills also drew water from the ground

Wind Energy The sun's heat and the tilt of the earth generate wind, whose energy is captured and turned into electricity with wind turbines.

Geothermal Energy Geothermal energy taps the Earth's internal heat for a variety of uses, including electric power production, and the heating and cooling of buildings.

Hydropower Flowing water has energy that can be captured and turned into electricity. This is called hydroelectric power or hydropower The most common type of hydroelectric power plant uses a dam on a river to store water in a reservoir. Water is then released from the reservoir and flows through a turbine, spinning it, which in turn activates a generator to produce electricity.

Bioenergy Bioenergy is energy we get from organic matter. These sources of energy are called biomass. Biomass includes plants, residues from agriculture or forestry, and the organic component of municipal and industrial wastes. Fumes (gasses) from landfills can also be used as a biomass energy source.

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Hydrogen also can be found in many organic compounds, as well as water. It's the most abundant element on the Earth. Once separated from another element and in its gaseous form, hydrogen can be burned as a fuel or converted into electricity.

Wind Power!

VIDEOS TO WATCH Wind Farm Simulation and Explanation (1 min) Wind Farm Simulation and Explanation Funny Discussion on Uses and Applications of Wind Energy (2 mins) Funny Discussion on Uses and Applications of Wind Energy How Wind Farms Work - Costs, Benefits - 2 mins Constructing Wind Turbines in Ocean

What is Wind? The tilt of the earth means that the poles get much less sun than the equator Warmer air rises, cooler air moves in to take its place.

How much energy is in the wind? Kinetic Energy = ½ x mass x Velocity 2 Power in the wind = ½ x density of air x Area x Velocity 3  Typically 1/3 of that energy is captured For windmills with blades 1 m diameter:  15 mph wind = 144 watts (so 48 watts are captured)  A typical lightbulb is 60 watts!  Average wind speed in Boston is about 12 mph

How do we capture this energy?

History of Wind Power First Use of Wind Power – 5000 Years Ago!! Egyptian Sail Boats

Old School Windmill: Grinding Grain

Windmills – Wind powered “Mills” (“grind”) used to crush grains into flour. Agricultural Windmills

Windmills That Move and Pump Water

Modern Wind Turbine: Generating Electricity

Fossil Fuels Fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas) were formed millions of years ago by the decomposition of plant and animal remains. Fossil fuels are the main sources of energy we use today. They are used to generate electricity and heat, as well as a fuel source for transportation. When burned for fuel, gases that cause global warming and acid rain are released into the air.

Cape Wind

Blades Today we are going to make our own mini wind turbines! You will be given 6, 8” pieces of bass wood to make your blades with.

Designing Wind Turbines 3 CRITICAL VARIABLES: Size of Blades Smaller Blades Spin Faster Larger Blades Increase Drag (Air Friction) & Have Slower Revolution Speed Shape of Blade Effects Amount of Power Produced High Speed  High Electricity Radius of Rotor Longer Arms  Lift More Weight (More Power, Slower Spin)

Comparing Designs A B C 1 – Which design will spin fastest? 2 – Which design will have the most power? 3 – How can you improve the designs? (Increase blade size, add more blades, change the shape, or tilt the blades)?

Works Cited renewable-energy-consumption-and-electricity- preliminary-2007-statistics/ renewable-energy-consumption-and-electricity- preliminary-2007-statistics/