Alternative Energy

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Alternative Energy

• Notesall

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NuclearNuclear energy is derived from splitting
atoms using a process called fission.

• Pros
• Clean burning by using steam to turn turbines
• Abundant
• Produces a lot of power

• Cons
• Produces dangerous radioactive wastes
• Produces a lot of heat with risk of a meltdown

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SolarSolar energy is received from the sun.

• Pros
• Unlimited supply
• More than enough received each day
• Solar cells turn light into electricity
• Solar cells are silent and reliable
• No pollution
• Free (after cost of solar cell)

• Cons
• Expensive to install solar cells
• Requires a lot of space for installation
• Large power stations take up huge areas of land.
  (see page 121)

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WindWind energy uses local wind to power
generators.

• Pros
• Free
• Been in use since the 1920s
• Wind occurs all over the Earth
• Fast to build
• No pollution

• Cons
• Requires large amounts of land
• Better for large scale energy production
• Requires gusty, constant wind areas to turn big
  turbines

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HydroelectricHydroelectric energy is produced
from falling water.

• Cons
• Not available everywhere
• Requires large volumes of water
• Cost of construction of large dams is very high
• Destroys other natural resources
• Decrease water quality
• Possibly causes erosion in the area

• Pros
• Been in use for thousands of years
• Turbines generate electricity
• Inexpensive and produces little pollution
• Unlimited because of water cycle

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BiomassBiomass is organic matter that contains
stored energy. It is usually released by burning.

• Pros
• Used worldwide
• Inexpensive
• Requires large areas of land

• Cons
• Does not produce a lot of energy
• Still requires burning which pollutes

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GeothermalGeothermal energy is produced by heat
within the Earths crust.

• Pros
• Free
• Uses geyser steam to turn turbines
• Can also be used for heat production

• Cons
• Does not occur everywhere

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Now for your essays

• Requirements
• Compare 2 types of energy resources and pick one.
• Write a 500 word essay.
• Complete a thesis, outline, and final draft on
  time.

• List of energy resources
• Oil
• Coal
• Natural gas
• Hydrogen
• Hydroelectric
• Wind
• Solar
• Biomass
• Nuclear
• Geothermal
• Wave