Passive Solar Energy Uses solar radiation to maintain a comfortable temp in the building without...
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Transcript of Passive Solar Energy Uses solar radiation to maintain a comfortable temp in the building without...
Passive Solar Energy
Uses solar radiation to maintain a comfortable temp in the building without electrical aid South-facing windows, which
absorb maximum sunlight Skylights Trees planted on sides as
insulation/channeling wind currents for temperature control
Water wall/thermal mass wall Heat collects throughout the day
in the core of the walls and floors As temps begin to drop, heat is
re-released to achieve equilibrium
Passive Solar Advantages vs. Disadvantages
Advantages Nondepletable resource After initial investment, no cost to harvest
energy Disadvantages/Waste products
Production produces waste products Geographically limited High initial costs
Solid Biomass
Biomass is any organic matter that can be used as an energy source
-ie. wood, crops, seaweed, animal wastes
Burn it, heats water, creates steam, turns turbines, generates electricity
Solid Biomass Advantages vs. Disadvantages
Advantages Potentially renewable Eliminates waste from environment Available to everyone Can be carbon neutral
Disadvantages/waste products Deforestation Erosion; deprives soil of nutrients Air pollution (carbon dioxide, nitrogen, sulfur,
particulate matter) Requires a lot of land
Ethanol
Usually made from corn or sugar cane
Corn or sugar cane is mashed up, enzymes and yeast are added-fermentation takes place where the sugar becomes ethanol and CO2
Mixture of ethanol and CO2 goes to the distillation columns where the ethanol is separated and is blended with gasoline
Ethanol Advantages vs. Disadvantages
Advantages Potentially renewable Domestically produced Lower emissions than fossil fuels
Disadvantages/waste products Releases carbon dioxide Uses lots of land to grow crops Higher food costs Lower gas mileage
Hydroelectric
Water builds behind dam, falling water pushes turbine which transforms into electricity
Hydroelectric Advantages vs. Disadvantages
Advantages Nondepletable resource Low cost to run Flood control Recreation No pollutants/waste released except for the production
Disadvantages/waste produced Limited to rivers High construction costs Loss of habitat, Disrupts flow of water Reduces nutrients downstream since it builds up behind dam Disrupts spawning patterns of fish
Tidal/Wave Energy
Turbines are placed in areas that have high tidal movements
Tides move the turbines that generate electricity Works in both
directions
Tidal/Wave Advantages vs. disadvantages
Advantages Nondepletable resource After initial investment, no cost to harvest energy Tides are predictable and steady No pollutants/waste released except for the production
Disadvantages/wastes produced High initial costs Geographically limited Can harm marine life and affect migration patterns Corrosion
Active Solar
Solar water heating systems A nonfreezing liquid is circulated by an electric pump
through a closed loop of pipes Circulating liquid moves from a water storage tank to
a solar collector on the roof, where it is heated and back to the tank, transferring the heat to water
Photovoltaic systems (solar panels) Solar panels convert sunlight
into direct current (DC). An inverter converts DC into alternating current (AC) which supplies electricity
Active Solar Advantages vs. Disadvantages
Advantages Nondepletable resource After initial investment, no cost to harvest energy Solar panels can provide the grid with excess energy Once the panels are made, emission free
Disadvantages/waste products Manufacturing materials requires high input of
metals and water No plan in place to recycle solar panels Geographically limited High initial costs
Geothermal
A cold liquid (usually water) is pumped down into the earth where it is heated and returned to the surface; the pressurized steam turns the turbines to generate electricity
Geothermal Advantages vs. Disadvantages
Advantages Nondepletable resource After initial investment, no cost to harvest
energy
Disadvantages/waste produced Geographically limited Can emit hazardous gases and steam (carbon
dioxide, hydrogen sulfide) Cannot be transported High installation costs
Wind
Wind turns the turbine blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to the generator and makes electricity
Wind Advantages vs. Disadvantages
Advantages Nondepletable resource After initial investment, no cost to harvest
energy Once turbines are made, emission free
Disadvantages/waste produced Turbine noise Deaths of birds and bats Geographically limited Aesthetically displeasing to some Initial costs are high
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Hydrogen gas enters the cells, which strips electrons off of hydrogen
Oxygen molecules are split
Ionized hydrogen is positively charged which causes it to bind to oxygen to create water