Solar
Definition: Solar energy happens when we capture sunlight into solar panels and concentrate that energy so that we can concert into electrical energy.
Examples: Solar garden lights, solar panels, and a greenhouse.
Advantages:
• Almost limitless source of energy
• Doesn't produce pollution.
• Solar energy is free
• Can be used in remote areas if too costly
Disadvantages:
Can only be harnessed during the day
Very expensive to buy the equipment needed
Large areas of land is needed
In certain locations, there is unreliable climate and unreliable climate equals unreliable solar power
Hydropower
Hydropower is the energy produced by flowing water.
Examples: Dams, water mills, and turbines.
Advantages
· Clean fuel source
· Provides flood control, irrigation, and water supply
· Is a domestic source of energy found almost anywhere.
· Hydropower plants can generate power to the grid immediately
Disadvantages
· Extremely expensive to build
· Building of dams can cause ecological damage
· Can be breached and can cause death and floods.
· Building the dams alter the natural water table levels.
Wind Energy
Wind energy is when wind passes a wind turbine, causing it to turn and producing energy for us all.
Examples: Wind mills, wind turbines, and wind farms.
Advantages
· It is very cost effective (cheap)
· The wind turbines can be built on existing farms or ranches
· Wind energy is sustainable
· A clean fuel source
Disadvantages
· The turbines may cause sound pollution
· May not be a profitable use of the land
· Good wind sites are far from cities that need them
· The turbines may damage local wildlife
Geothermal
Geothermal energy is energy from within the earth. It all forms from the heat and radiation from the ground.
Examples: Hot springs, groundwater springs, and coil systems for water in homes.
Advantages
· Can be used directly
· Creates job and economic benefits
· Almost infinite
· Very quiet
Disadvantages
· The power stations can release harmful gases into the air
· The steam can stop from too much cooling from the factories
· Can provide visual pollution
· Availability may be almost infinite, but is still limited.
Biomass
Biomass is basically burning organic matter like plants to get the solar energy contained within it. The most common way to get this energy is by burning.
Examples: Lumber, forest debris, and manure.
Advantages
· No harmful emissions
· Abundant and renewable
· Reduce landfills
· Can be used to create different products
Disadvantages
· Inefficient compared to fossil fuels
· Consumes more fuel
· Requires more land
· Increases methane gases that are harmful to the environment
Fossil Fuels
Pieces of organic remains that have decayed in the geological layers of the earth and are known as organic fuels.
Examples: Coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
Advantages
· Easily available
· Produces large amounts of energy
· Very stable
· Easy set up
Disadvantages
· Non-renewable
· Releases carbon dioxide into the air and creates global warming
· Oil spill threaten aquatic life
· Due to the contribution to global warming, the holes made in the ozone layer affect humans
Definition: Solar energy happens when we capture sunlight into solar panels and concentrate that energy so that we can concert into electrical energy.
Examples: Solar garden lights, solar panels, and a greenhouse.
Advantages:
• Almost limitless source of energy
• Doesn't produce pollution.
• Solar energy is free
• Can be used in remote areas if too costly
Disadvantages:
Can only be harnessed during the day
Very expensive to buy the equipment needed
Large areas of land is needed
In certain locations, there is unreliable climate and unreliable climate equals unreliable solar power
Hydropower
Hydropower is the energy produced by flowing water.
Examples: Dams, water mills, and turbines.
Advantages
· Clean fuel source
· Provides flood control, irrigation, and water supply
· Is a domestic source of energy found almost anywhere.
· Hydropower plants can generate power to the grid immediately
Disadvantages
· Extremely expensive to build
· Building of dams can cause ecological damage
· Can be breached and can cause death and floods.
· Building the dams alter the natural water table levels.
Wind Energy
Wind energy is when wind passes a wind turbine, causing it to turn and producing energy for us all.
Examples: Wind mills, wind turbines, and wind farms.
Advantages
· It is very cost effective (cheap)
· The wind turbines can be built on existing farms or ranches
· Wind energy is sustainable
· A clean fuel source
Disadvantages
· The turbines may cause sound pollution
· May not be a profitable use of the land
· Good wind sites are far from cities that need them
· The turbines may damage local wildlife
Geothermal
Geothermal energy is energy from within the earth. It all forms from the heat and radiation from the ground.
Examples: Hot springs, groundwater springs, and coil systems for water in homes.
Advantages
· Can be used directly
· Creates job and economic benefits
· Almost infinite
· Very quiet
Disadvantages
· The power stations can release harmful gases into the air
· The steam can stop from too much cooling from the factories
· Can provide visual pollution
· Availability may be almost infinite, but is still limited.
Biomass
Biomass is basically burning organic matter like plants to get the solar energy contained within it. The most common way to get this energy is by burning.
Examples: Lumber, forest debris, and manure.
Advantages
· No harmful emissions
· Abundant and renewable
· Reduce landfills
· Can be used to create different products
Disadvantages
· Inefficient compared to fossil fuels
· Consumes more fuel
· Requires more land
· Increases methane gases that are harmful to the environment
Fossil Fuels
Pieces of organic remains that have decayed in the geological layers of the earth and are known as organic fuels.
Examples: Coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
Advantages
· Easily available
· Produces large amounts of energy
· Very stable
· Easy set up
Disadvantages
· Non-renewable
· Releases carbon dioxide into the air and creates global warming
· Oil spill threaten aquatic life
· Due to the contribution to global warming, the holes made in the ozone layer affect humans