Alternatives/Renewables

Question 1

What where some of the problems with the fossil fuels and what were the solutions that renewable and alternatives might bring?

Answer 1

Pollutes air water and soil. Minimized with renewable and alternatives.
Finite resource. Renewables are…. Renewable.

Question 2

what’s difference between alternative and renewable fuels?

Answer 2

Everything that is not a fossil fuel (nuclear and renewable) is alternative
Alternative is new and is boutique ish. Still not at large scale like nuclear

Question 3

What are 4 major contributors to US electricity generation (no percentages)

Answer 3

Coal 
Natural gas
Nuclear
Hydro 
Everything else is less

Question 4

Rank order of environmental effects of coal power plants, natural gas, hydro plants, solar plant, and a wind plant

Answer 4

Coal, natural gas, hydro, solar, wind

Question 5

if you were to characterize renewable electricity generation to california governor

Answer 5

t’s doing well. Massive investment in US and globally. Solar panel efficiency is increasing and wind price for both wind and solar have dropped.

Question 6

name 2 reasons why renewable is going well?

Answer 6

Cost of solar panels continue to drop.

Cost of wind turbines have dropped (getting bigger and bigger for same price)

Question 7

Name 3 environmental concerns issues concerning renewable electricity

Answer 7

Wind: Battery storage can drive additional environmental impacts
PV: Energy and chemical intensive manufacturing.
Biomass: Emissions from harvesting

Question 8

name 2 advantages of recycling waste water

Answer 8

Saves water and saves energy. 8% of water is related to treatment and conveyance of water.

Question 9

name three uses of recycled wastewater

Answer 9

Agriculture, groundwater recharge, landscape irrigation