Introduction to Alternative Energy

Sources
• Alternative Energy
– Renewable and nonrenewable energy resources that are
alternatives to the fossil fuels
Chapter 18 • A) Renewable Energy
– Alternative energy sources, such as solar, water, wind and
biomass, that are more or less continuously made available

Alternative Energy and

in a time framework useful to people
• B) Nonrenewable Energy
the Environment – Alternative energy sources, including nuclear and
geothermal, that are dependent on fuels or a resource that
may be used up much faster than it is replenished by natural
processes
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Solar Energy
• Passive Solar Energy Systems
– Direct use of solar energy through architectural design
to enhance or take advantage of natural changes in solar
energy that occur throughout the year without requiring
mechanical power
• Active Solar Energy Systems
– Direct use of solar energy that requires mechanical
power; usually consists of pumps and other machinery
to circulate air, water or other fluids from solar
collectors to heat sink where the heat may be stored

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Estimated solar energy

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• Solar Collectors: provide space heating or hot
water

• Photovoltaic: converts sunlight directly into

electricity

• Power Towers: type of solar energy system

• Solar Ponds: generate low-temperature water

• Ocean Thermal Conversion: involves using the

ocean as a giant solar collector
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Hydrogen Water Power

• Fuel generated by the sun • A form of stored solar energy
• Fuel cells: uses and stores hydrogen • One of the world’s oldest and most common
energy sources
• Sources vary in size

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Wind Power
• Alternative energy source that has been
used for centuries
• More recently thousands of windmills have
been installed to produce electric energy
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Geothermal Energy
• Natural heat from the interior of the Earth
that is converted to heat buildings and
generate electricity
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Tidal Power
• Form of water utilizing ocean tides in places
where favorable topography allows for
construction of a power plant
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Biomass Energy
• Energy that is recovered from biomass,
which is organic material such as plant and
animal waste
• Sources of Biomass
• Biomass Energy and the Environment
• Future of Biomass
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