Solar thermal electric generation is a means of producing electricity in which the sun's energy is concentrated using mirrors or lenses onto a fluid-filled pipe; the heated fluid is used to generate electricity. They often have a backup which is natural gas to generate electricity at night and during cloudy days when solar power isn't operating.…
Review two articles in the Opposing Viewpoints in Context database in the University Library. Read one for promoting renewable energy and one opposed to renewable energy. Write a 350- to 700-word essay in which you do the following:…
Because of the climate change, the earth is in danger. People don’t realize that the things they use or do every day are hurting the earth and living things. Nature.org says, “…one-fourth of Earth’s species will be headed for extinction by 2050 if the warming trend continues at its current rate…” Because the temperature is increasing, ice is melting. Because ice is melting, sea levels are rising. Higher temperatures don’t only melt ice but evaporates the moisture in the air. Evaporation will take away all of the land’s water leaving it as dry as a desert. With a drought now in progress, it will make it harder to find water and support agriculture.…
3) The third advantage that fossil fuels have is the ease at which they can be transported. Fossil fuels like coal are able to be transported by train, while oil and natural gas are transported by pipelines. This ease of transportation enables the places that convert these fossil fuels into usable forms, to not have to worry much about location (Buzzle.com, 2013). 4) And lastly, fossil fuels are not only used for energy, but also to create byproducts such as plastic that are used in almost everything (Locsin, n.d.).…
To gain a better understanding of how Solar Panels can be useful for our homes lets take a min to understand how they work based on research done by the David H. Koch Fund of Science in 2013. Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity using Photovoltaic (PV) cells; these cells can power anything from calculators to cars. The bulk of the cells are made up of two layers of silicone and where they meet is where the key action takes place. The cells also have metal strips that conduct the flow of electrons through wires in the house where it powers electrical devices. The Electrons in the cell also flow back out of the house and return to the cell through metal backing in order to make a closed circuit. Finally, the cells have antireflective coating that ensures that the particles of sunlight needed to generate solar power are absorbed by the silicone layers and not reflected away.…
Only after the last tree is cut, the last river is poisoned, the last fish is caught… Only then we will realize what we have done with our planet. Right now we don’t care about it, but in a few years we will be facing the consequences of global warming and energy absence. That is why Ecuador should start concerning itself about our future as a country and as responsible humans, by the use of renewable energy; the perfect solution to these problems. Today I will explain you, with two logic and common sense reasons, why renewable energy is our future.…
Ethanol is a renewable energy source. Assuming a net energy gain, ethanol blended fuels can help limit climate change and reduce greenhouse gases. Unlike fossil fuels, ethanol does not increase atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and it also displaces gasoline consumption. When used as a fuel additive, ethanol has the potential to displace 10% of gasoline consumption and 15% diesel consumption. This gasoline alternative also reduces our reliance on imported oil, which in turn improves the security of our energy supply, as well as some of the harmful effects of petroleum exploration, processing and transportation (Eco Network, 2010).…
Nuclear power is generated at nuclear power plants. The power plants create energy by splitting atoms of radioactive material, usually uranium, to create a nuclear reaction. A downside to this is that nuclear power plants leave behind toxic waste and can cause nuclear disasters if destroyed (“Alternative Energy Sources”). Wind power is the oldest form of energy; even predating fossil fuels. Windmills generate electricity by using the fins to catch the wind. As the fins spin, a system of gears turn and rotate a generator, creating an electrical current (Wind Energy ed K. Lerner). Water power functions similar to wind power. Water flows through man made dams and rotates built in generators (“Alternative Energy Sources”). Solar energy is energy harvested from the sun. It can either be used as a heat source or to generate electricity. Solar electricity is created using solar panels that convert light into electricity (“Alternative Energy…
The energy that is used today comes from fossil fuels, which is a nonrenewable limited resource that will eventually be used up. Alternative energy sources such as solar, hydroelectric, geothermal and wind energies can be used, to conserve the planets limited natural resources. Alternative energy is the use of another energy without the burning of fossil fuels and break up on atoms. Solar energy can be used to operate cars and provide electricity for homes and businesses. Hydroelectric energy can be used to provide electric power to small towns and cities. Geothermal energy can be used to heat buildings or water and to power turbines to make power. Wind energy can be used to pump water and generate electricity.…
Today’s environment is polluted with many carbon and other pollutions harmful to humans and the environment. Many of these pollutions are mostly from transportation vehicles. More dangers are rising, causing global warming and health risks to be increased at a higher probability of it occurring. With gasoline becoming scarce and an abundant amount of pollution in the environment, transportation companies need to enforce and search for better ways that America can use alternative fuels for a cleaner and safer environment when using transportation.…
Solar energy is described as harnessing the sun's rays in a number of different ways. Solar energy is said to be very clean, quite safe and obviously free. The main method of capturing the sun's energy is through cells in solar panels, or pads. This energy is then converted to a direct current type of energy, the same as what is used in batteries. Solar power may be found on certain cars, some homes, and on RV's. Most people use it on their cars, as a trickle charger for their batteries, so that if they leave a small accessory on in their car, they will not return to a dead battery, and no way home. Solar energy lacks the need for waste disposal, as it does not produce any harmful by products, or emit dangerous fumes, or liquids. The problem with these solar energy panels is that they often break down, and they do not function properly many times. They are also very high in cost, and require much maintenance. When used in a residential setting, in order to receive high output by these panels, there needs to be a large amount of panels. These panels are normally sold…
Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaic (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP). Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and…
“Nonrenewable energy resources include coal, oil, and natural gas.” However, they are nonrenewable, meaning that these resources cannot be regenerated. There are alternatives, though, that can be used in their stead; some of which are wind turbines, solar energy, ethanol, hydropower, geothermal energy, biomass energy, and ocean energy. The video discussed not only the benefits of some of these fossil fuel alternatives but the challenges faced when using and managing them. The benefits appear endless, but the challenges have potential to cause problems if not properly weighed out and accommodated. For instance, the initial development of the different renewable energy resources can be quite expensive for individual use.…
Alternative fuels, also known as non- renewable sources, are substances that can be used as fuels, other than conventional fuels. Conventional fuels include: fossil fuels (petroleum (oil), coal, propane, and natural gas), and nuclear materials such as uranium. [ 1] The fuels we use now are finite, meaning they have a limited life expectancy.…
Solar energy is solar panels converting our sun rays into electricity by photovoltaic cells. The solar panels are intended to reduce both air pollution and CO2 emissions. Many people have found this new energy saver very useful so many of them have put them to work in their houses and their businesses. I think that this is a very good technology to have around the house because with our economy on the hinge.…