Renewable energy

Question 1

Cogeneration

Answer 1

Two useful forms of energy are procured from the same source. Using waste and heat as an energy source. EX. re-gen breaks in a car

Question 2

R-value

Answer 2

R-value= resistance to energy transfer
The higher the R-Value, the more efficient

Question 3

Passive solar heating

Answer 3

Absorb heat directly from the sun without the use of mechanical or electric equipment. Energy cannot be collected or stored.
Not using fans or pumps to distribute energy
Heats through greenhouse effect (winter)
Plant deciduous tree

Question 4

Active solar heating

Answer 4

Solar energy is used to heat a liquid through mechanical and electric equipment to collect and store the energy captured from the sun
Pumps and fans are used to collect, store, and circulate heat energy from the sun
Doesn’t make electricity

Question 5

Photovoltaic Cells

Answer 5

Capture light energy from the sun and convert it directly into electrical energy

Question 6

Solar PROS

Answer 6

Supply is limitless
Reduces our dependence on other countries for energy
No carbon emissions (except manufacturing)

Question 7

Solar CONS

Answer 7

Not feasible in areas of solar radiation
High initial costs -> rebates and incentives
Pays off if stays in the house
Solar farms may impact desert ecosystems and may cause habitat disruption

Question 8

Geothermal energy

Answer 8

obtained by using the heat stored in the Earth’s interior to heat up water, which is brought back to the surface as steam. The steam is used to drive an electric generator

Question 9

Geothermal PROS

Answer 9

Generates electricity
No carbon emissions

Question 10

Geothermal CONS

Answer 10

Not accessible in many parts of the world
High Initial cost (but don’t pay for heat)
Can’t release H2S (Hydrogen sulfide)-> Acid rain -> Adverse effect on vegetation

Question 11

Wind energy

Answer 11

Wind turbines use the kinetic energy of moving air to spin a turbine, which in turn converts the mechanical energy of the turbine into electricity

Question 12

Wind PROS

Answer 12

No emissions+clean
High energy yield
Becomes profitable at one year

Question 13

Wind CONS

Answer 13

Weather dependent
Must have wind
Coastal locations and great plains
May disrupt migratory patterns of birds and bats
People don’t like the appearance- NIMBY

Question 14

hydroelectric power

Answer 14

Dams built across rivers collect water in reservoirs. The moving water can be used to spin a turbine. Turbines can also be placed in small rivers, where the flowing water spins the turbine. Works as the time comes in and again when it goes out

Question 15

Hydroelectric PROS

Answer 15

Clean, high energy yield
Water for irrigation and drinking

Question 16

Hydroelectric CONS

Answer 16

Flooding upstream
Loss of habitat
Downstream is robbed of water, nutrients and sediment
Can prevent the migration of fish
Fixed with fish-ladder

Question 17

Hydrogen fuel cell

Answer 17

Alternative to nonrenewable fuel sources. They use hydrogen as fuel, combining the hydrogen and oxygen in the air to form water and release energy (electricity) in the process. Water is the product (emission) of a fuel cell

Question 18

Hydrogen cell PROS

Answer 18

Low environmental impact
No direct carbon emissions
High efficiency

Question 19

Hydrogen cell CONS

Answer 19

No fuel distribution system
H2 gas is explosive
Hydrogen fuel requires energy, to split water, to make H2 gas

Question 20

Biomass for energy

Answer 20

Burning of biomass produces heat for energy at a relatively low cost, but it also produces carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and volatile organic compounds. The overharvesting of trees for fuel also causes deforestation

Question 21

Modern carbon

Answer 21

Carbon in biomass that was recently in the atmosphere

Question 22

Fossil carbon

Answer 22

Carbon in fossil fuels that have been sequestered

Question 23

Biofuels and transportation

Answer 23

Can be used as a substitute for gasoline, but burning it doesn’t introduce additional carbon into the atmosphere via combustion, ut the energy return on energy investment for ethanol is low