Alternatives Flashcards
photovolactiv
solar energy - > semiconductors electricity
solar thermal systems
solar energy -> steam -> turbines -> electricity
direct heat from solar energy
solar energy - > heat
solar algae growth system
grows in transparent pipes from co2 and sunlight
more efficiency but inability to utilize
is solar expensive?
yes, 10-20 cents per KWh vs 3 cents for coal fired electricity
What are the technical limitations of solar energy?
only a 15% conversion rate to electricity, low concentration of the resource, decentralized
What is the power of a decent sized wind farm? How does it compare to nuclear?
600-700 MW
1/2 of a nuclear power plant
What is the power generated by a single turbine?
2-3 MW
electricity for 400 homes
Why is the production of biofuels not as carbon neutral as originally claimed?
creates carbon emissions, burned plants used to remove co2 from the atmosphere
What are the principles of geothermal energy production?
water is reinjected into rock,
groundwater in fractured rock heated to steam
enviornmental pros/cons of hydropower
pros: renewable, no GHG, no air/water pollution
cons: dams alter the environment, changes nature of rivers
economic advantages of hydropower
consumer average price is cheap, low operating costs for facilities
What country produces the most hydropower?
china
What are the principles of hybrid cars?
converting fuel energy into electric energy, no combustion
What needs to be improved to make electric cars viable?
electricity comes from the standard grid, which could be powered by coal, doesn’t help develop alternative energies
