Topic 5: Sustainable-renewable Energy Flashcards
What is renewable energy?
A fuel source that can be used at a rate that enables it to be used indefinitely.
Which countries are leading the uptake in renewable energy?
China, Germany, Italy, India.
How much energy is lost before it reaches our homes?
More than 50%
What is cogeneration?
The simultaneously production of both electricity and steam in the same power plant.
How much more efficient are compact fluorescent light bulbs over incandescent light bulbs?
Produce 4X as much light.
Last 10X as long.
LEDs are even more efficient, consuming 90% less energy.
How much carbon emissions are attributed to food and diet?
1/3
What are 6 types of renewable energies?
- Solar energy.
- Wind power.
- Hydropower.
- Tidal power.
- Geothermal power.
- Biomass.
What is a passive solar heat system?
A system using absorptive structures with no moving parts to gather and hold heat.
What is an active solar heat system?
A system using a heat-absorbing medium pumped through a collector.
What are parabolic mirrors?
Curved reflective surfaces that collect light and focus it on a concentrated point.
What are 2 issues with building large solar farms in deserts?
- Disturbing a biologically diverse system.
- Impending on culturally significant locations for indigenous communities.
How do photovoltaic cells work?
They capture solar energy and convert it directly to an electrical current by separating electrons from parent atoms and accelerating them across a one-way electrostatic barrier.
Typically, how efficient do turbines operate?
At 35% efficiency.
