A Different Kind of Gas

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A Different Kind of Gas
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For Humans to succeed, we must not only make the
most of what energy we have left but also develop
new energy!!!
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Alternative Energy

• Describes energy sources that are still being
  developed.
• They must be
• Cost effective and
• Environmentally friendly and safe.

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Tidal Power

• Tides are the movement of water in the oceans and
  seas. They occur 2 times a day and are known as
  high tide and low tide.

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Tidal Power Plants

• Capture the tides to create energy.
• As the tide rises, water flows behind a dam .

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• When the tides fall, the water is trapped behind
  the dam.
• The water is then released back into the ocean
  turning turbines as it goes and generating
  energy.

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The Problem!!!

• Building and maintaining tidal power plants is
  expensive and
• Few locations are suitable for building the tidal
  power plants.

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HYDROGEN

• Hydrogen is the most abundant element in nature.
• It can be burned and used as fuel!

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• When burned, hydrogen does not release
  pollutants. The byproduct released combines with
  oxygen to produce water vapor.
• Currently hydrogen gas can be made by splitting
  water molecules.

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In the future, we may be able to grow plants that
produce high amounts of hydrogen. Example
Switchgrass
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Why Not Hydrogen Today???

• Hydrogen takes a lot of energy to produce.
• If we used fossil fuels to produce hydrogen, it
  would be
• Expensive and Polluting!

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• An alternative is to use solar or wind power to
  split water molecules and make hydrogen. The it
  could be stored in pressurized tanks and
  transported in gas pipelines or used in fuel
  cells.

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Fuel Cells

• A fuel cell works much like a battery by
  producing electricity.
• It combines hydrogen fuel with oxygen producing
  electrical energy and water.

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• These cells can be fueled with anything that
  contains lots of hydrogen such as natural gas,
  alcohol, or even gasoline.

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By 2010, phones and portable video games may be
powered by micro fuel cells filled with alcohol
possible eliminating charging or changing
batteries!!!