lecture 2

Question 1

renewable sources of energy?

Answer 1

regenerate over a period equal to the average human life span such as sun, water, trees

Question 2

non- renewable?

Answer 2

regenerate over a period more than the average human life span such as fossil fuels, copper

Question 3

types of renewable energy?

Answer 3

1- hydropower
2- biomass
3- geothermal
4- solar energy
5- wind power
6-fuel cells

Question 4

hydropower?

Answer 4

1- one of the oldest and largest renewable
2- accounts for 71% of world’s renewable electricity
3- convert energy of flowing water into electricity
4- done by damming rivers to create large resviors and then releasing water through turbines
5- hydropower results in no emission but damming rivers create ecological foot print problems for water quality and fish

Question 5

biomass?

Answer 5

1- second to hydropower as leader
2- consists of organic matter such as industrial waste, agricultur waste, wood and bark wastes
3- burned directly in specially designed power plants under control to extract methane
4- cleaner than coal bec. it has less sulfur, so less sulfur dioxide will be emmited

Question 6

where is the largest use of biomass?

Answer 6

Virginia in the US

Question 7

geothermal energy?

Answer 7

1- use high tempretures deep under ground to produce steam, which power turrbines that produce electricity
2- can heater water by pumping it into hot dry ricks
3- accessed by drilling wells

Question 8

solar energy?

Answer 8

1- comes directly from the power of the sun
2- solar panels are placed in areas that face sun light directly

Question 9

wind energy?

Answer 9

1- fastest growing energy source due to improvments in wind energy technology
2- produced by the energy of wind turning aerodynamic blades mounted to a pivot, the hub is connected to a shaft that turns a generator

Question 10

fuel cells?

Answer 10

1- electrochemical device like battery that converts energy from chemical reaction into electricity
2- unlike battery, fuel cells has capabilities of generating energy as long as fuel is supplied
3- currently fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen without combustion to produce electricity
4- oxygen comes from air, while hydrogen can be produced from water or extracted from fossil fuels

Question 11

energy systems and recommendations.

Answer 11

1- consider the use of renewable energy systems that produce clean and non polluting energy, highly costed but over time can be significant
2- develop a small micro hydropower system
3- solar pannels mounted on your roof or near your home
4- space heating
5- reducing energy use through conservation and increased efficiency