Alternate Sources of

Energy
What is an alternative source of energy?

An energy source that

can be used instead of
fossil fuels.
It is usually a renewable
source of energy that
could be used should
fossil fuels run out.
Problem & Opportunity
Several Problems
Air & water pollution
Health effects of pollution
Oil depletion/ imports
Global warming from CO2
One Solution
Renewable energy sources cause
minimal pollution, don’t cause
global warming and are locally
available.
 Global Warming
Throughout history, the earth has been
much colder, and at times warmer, than it is
now
But climate change is occurring 100’s of times
faster than these natural changes
CO , CH , N O, O and soot all cause warming
2 4 2 3
Global average air temperature has risen 1°F
in the past 50 years
But, this has already resulted in melting ice
sheets, migration of animals and more
severe weather
There are lots of Alternatives
Nuclear
Hydroelectric
Wind
Solar
Wave
Tidal
Geothermal
Bio-mass
Helium 3 (from the moon)
Advantages of using natural sources of
energy
They are inexhaustible – they will always be available –
they are renewable
They are clean and will not damage the Earth
There are several types – so one or more of them is
present in each country
Most natural sources can be used on a small scale and
serve local needs therefore cutting costs of
transmitting the energy
Hydropower
Electric Mechanical
How hydropower works
Positive Effects of Hydropower
Can generate electricity

Can do mechanical work, e.g. grind grain

No greenhouse gases

Initial construction provides jobs

Negative effects of Hydropower
Flooding the land
 Displacement of local inhabitants
Local climatic changes
Tectonic activities (Earthquakes)
 Loss of species (aquatic & terrestrial)
Loss of normal nutrient flow down river
Wind Turbines
 What are wind turbines made of?
All electric-generating wind
turbines, no matter what
size, are comprised of a few
basic components:
The rotor (the part that
actually rotates in the
wind),
The electrical generator
Tower
 Advantages of Wind Energy
Wind turbines require no fuel.
Creates more jobs in industries.
Land beneath wind turbines can be used for farming and
grazing.
Wind turbines do not produce any waste, greenhouse
gases, toxins or by-products that can harm environment.
A good method of supplying energy to the remote areas.
Wind farms can be built off-shore.
One time investment with low maintenance cost, hence
cheap energy.
Biomass

All plants store energy inside themselves as a result of

photosynthesis.
Biomass fuels utilize the energy stored in living matter

to provide energy for homes and automobiles.

Examples of Biomass
 Biomass fuels include
wood, wood waste,
straw, manure, sugar
cane and many other
byproducts from a
variety of agricultural
processes.
Biomass Energy Conversions
Direct Combustion- burning of biomass to produce heat
for space heating and electricity production.
Biochemical (Bio Fuel)- the decomposition of organic
waste to produce liquid fuel(alcohol fuel)

Direct Combustion

Biochemical
(Bio Fuel)
Biomass: Current Technologies
Biomass energy is currently the fastest growing renewable,

unlimited energy source in the developed and developing

countries.
Ethanol is an alcohol that is created through biomass

processes and blended with traditional hydrocarbon based

fuels.
Biodiesel is a term used to describe the reuse of restaurant

cooking oils and fats as a diesel fuel.

Solar Energy
Solar Energy: is energy that is created through the use of
the sun. The sun’s light energy then can be converted
into heat and electricity.
Passive Solar Energy
Passive space heating is what happens to a car on a hot
summer day. In buildings, the air is circulated past a solar
heat surface(s) and through out the building by convection.
Mechanical equipment is not used for passive solar
heating. Convection is where less dense warm air rises
while more dense cooler air moves downward.
Active Solar Energy
Active heating systems require a collector to absorb and
collect solar radiation. Fans or pumps are used to
circulate the heated air or heat absorbing fluid. Active
systems often include some type of energy storage
system.
Electrical Solar Energy
Photovoltaic cell’s
Photovoltaic energy is the conversion of sunlight
into electricity. A photovoltaic cell convert solar
energy directly into electrical power. A photovoltaic
cell is a non-mechanical device made from silicon
alloys.
Solar Energy Propelled Car