Alternative Energy Alternative Energy ResourcesResourcesYou will be able to identify alternative You will be able to identify alternative energy resources such as wind, solar, energy resources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biofuels.hydroelectric, geothermal, and biofuels.[5.7C][5.7C]

What is an alternative What is an alternative source of energy?source of energy?

An energy source An energy source that can be used that can be used instead of fossil fuelsinstead of fossil fuels

It is usually a It is usually a renewable or renewable or inexhaustible source inexhaustible source of energy that could of energy that could be used should fossil be used should fossil fuels run outfuels run out

Why do we need alternative Why do we need alternative energy sources?energy sources?

Burning fossil fuels has increased Burning fossil fuels has increased atmospheric pollution. Vehicle exhausts atmospheric pollution. Vehicle exhausts contribute to acid rain contribute to acid rain

The carbon stored in fossil fuels is The carbon stored in fossil fuels is released as carbon dioxide when they are released as carbon dioxide when they are burned – this leads to the burned – this leads to the green house green house effecteffect

**Don’t get this confused with the hole in the ozone Don’t get this confused with the hole in the ozone layer – this was caused by CFC’slayer – this was caused by CFC’s

Air pollution – CO2

So what are the alternative So what are the alternative energy sources to fossil energy sources to fossil fuels?fuels?

Once upon a time – nuclear power was Once upon a time – nuclear power was seen as the answer. Huge amounts of seen as the answer. Huge amounts of power can be produced from a small power can be produced from a small amount of uranium.amount of uranium.

The waste is dangerous to health and life The waste is dangerous to health and life for hundreds of years.for hundreds of years.

There is no secure place for storage.There is no secure place for storage.**Public confidence has also been shattered by the Public confidence has also been shattered by the

explosion at Chernobyl in 1986explosion at Chernobyl in 1986

Other hopes?Other hopes? Now that nuclear power is Now that nuclear power is

considered too risky hopes considered too risky hopes lie with things like solar, lie with things like solar, wind, hydroelectric, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal & biomass geothermal & biomass energy.energy.

Solar EnergySolar Energy

Pros: -AvailablePros: -Available-No pollution-No pollution

Cons: Must be Cons: Must be backed up by backed up by other sources of other sources of power on rainy power on rainy days and at nightdays and at night

Wind EnergyWind Energy

Pros: -AvailablePros: -Available

-No pollution-No pollution

-inexpensive-inexpensive

Cons: -Turbines can be Cons: -Turbines can be damageddamaged

-Inconsistent supply-Inconsistent supply

**Some people do not like the Some people do not like the look, sound, or threat to birdslook, sound, or threat to birds

Geothermal EnergyGeothermal Energy

Pros: -Reliable Pros: -Reliable

-No pollution-No pollution

Cons: Cons:

-Not available -Not available everywhereeverywhere

Hydroelectric EnergyHydroelectric Energy

Pros:Pros:

-No pollution-No pollution

-Reliable-Reliable

Cons: -Cons: -

-Disrupts -Disrupts

ecosystemsecosystems

BiomassBiomass (biofuels)(biofuels)

Pros: -Readily availablePros: -Readily available

-No pollution-No pollution

Cons: -Accumulation, Cons: -Accumulation, harvesting and harvesting and storage is expensivestorage is expensive

Advantages of using Advantages of using inexhaustible or renewable inexhaustible or renewable sources of energysources of energy

They will always be available They will always be available They are clean and will not damage the EarthThey are clean and will not damage the Earth There are several types – so one or more of There are several types – so one or more of

them is present in each areathem is present in each area Most natural sources can be used on a small Most natural sources can be used on a small

scale and serve local needs therefore cutting scale and serve local needs therefore cutting costs of transmitting the energycosts of transmitting the energy