CHAPTER 2 SCIENCE LITERACY AND THE PROCESS OF SCIENCE SCIENCE AND THE SKY Solving the mystery of disappearing ozone

CHAPTER 28 SUN, WIND, AND WATER ENERGY

FUELED BY THE SUNA tiny island makes big strides with renewable energy1

FUELED BY THE SUNA tiny island makes big strides with renewable energy28Learning OutcomesAt the end of this chapter you will know:Characteristics of sustainable energy sources and how alternative technologies capture energy.Links between conservation strategies and meeting global energy demands.Combined actions that can result in an energy-positive system.2FUELED BY THE SUNA tiny island makes big strides with renewable energy28Main Concept

Reliable, renewable energy with acceptable social and environmental consequences is necessary for a sustainable future.

With options already available, and research in process, we can become more self-reliant and move away from our global dependence on fossil fuels.

328Reliance on renewable energy is a characteristic of a sustainable ecosystem and society

Case: The island of Samso is in the midst of a transition from fossil fuel dependence to energy independence through the use of multiple alternative energy strategies.

They have set goals to become the greenest and cleanest, energy-independent place on Earth.

Offshore wind turbines supply most of the energy needs of this island community.They were challenged by the Danish government to become energy sustainable with a minimum of environmental impact.4

28To become sustainable, Samso would harness the power of one of its most plentiful natural resourcesTERMS TO KNOW:Renewable energySustainable energy sourceWind energy

Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BOE) = billions kJ/6.15 million

For this transformation, Samso installed a total of 21 wind turbines on land and offshore.

About 75% of the electricity used by the islanders now comes from wind energy.

Their use of wind is equivalent to 81,300 barrels of oil.

5

28To become sustainable, Samso would harness the power of one of its most plentiful natural resourcesTERMS TO KNOW:Renewable energySustainable energy sourceWind energy

Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BOE) = billions kJ/6.15 million

For 2010, renewable sources of energy contributed 3.46 trillion kWh of total energy production worldwide for about 18% of the total.

This amount is expected to double by 2035. Biomass and hydroelectric make up the largest proportion.628TERMS TO KNOW:Renewable energySustainable energy sourceWind energyTo become sustainable, Samso would harness the power of one of its most plentiful natural resources

Wind turbines, large or small, work by the same principle: Spinning blades turn a shaft inside a generator and produce electricity.

728TERMS TO KNOW:Renewable energySustainable energy sourceWind energyTo become sustainable, Samso would harness the power of one of its most plentiful natural resources

828TERMS TO KNOW:Renewable energySustainable energy sourceWind energyTo become sustainable, Samso would harness the power of one of its most plentiful natural resources

928TERMS TO KNOW:Renewable energySustainable energy sourceWind energyTo become sustainable, Samso would harness the power of one of its most plentiful natural resources

1028TERMS TO KNOW:Renewable energySustainable energy sourceWind energyTo become sustainable, Samso would harness the power of one of its most plentiful natural resources

The downside of wind energy:Wind is intermittentTurbines are expensiveNoise can be a problemTurbines pose a real threat to birds and batsthey are unable to nest or feed near the turbines or are killed by the spinning blades. Placement near migratory routes must be avoided.1128TERMS TO KNOW:Solar energyPhotovoltaic (PV) cellsActive solar technologiesSolar thermal systemThe most popular source of sustainable energy is the one that powers the entire planetthe Sun

Samso is pursuing several methods to help it produce enough renewable energy to meet all its needs.Energy received from the Sun = 4 million exajoulesOne exajoule = a million trillion joulesNew technologies allow for more effective use of the Sun as our limitless energy source.1228TERMS TO KNOW:Solar energyPhotovoltaic (PV) cellsActive solar technologiesSolar thermal systemThe most popular source of sustainable energy is the one that powers the entire planetthe Sun

Wind is an indirect form of solar power. Solar energy is energy harvested from the Sun in the form of heat or light. Wind results from the differences in temperature between different areas of Earth. The Sun can be used with passive or active technologies.1328TERMS TO KNOW:Solar energyPhotovoltaic (PV) cellsActive solar technologiesSolar thermal systemThe most popular source of sustainable energy is the one that powers the entire planetthe Sun

Sanso uses several methods to produce energy.

1428TERMS TO KNOW:Solar energyPhotovoltaic (PV) cellsActive solar technologiesSolar thermal systemThe most popular source of sustainable energy is the one that powers the entire planetthe Sun

Sanso uses several methods to produce energy.

1528TERMS TO KNOW:Solar energyPhotovoltaic (PV) cellsActive solar technologiesSolar thermal systemThe most popular source of sustainable energy is the one that powers the entire planetthe Sun

Sanso uses several methods to produce energy.

1628TERMS TO KNOW:Solar energyPhotovoltaic (PV) cellsActive solar technologiesSolar thermal systemThe most popular source of sustainable energy is the one that powers the entire planetthe Sun

Passive solar homes are constructed to maximize solar power potential. Placement of windows, trees, awnings

Active solar technologies capture and convert solar energy for another use.

1728TERMS TO KNOW:Passive solar technologiesGeothermal energyGeothermal heat pumpPayback timeGeothermal power plantsEnergy that causes volcanos to erupt and warms hot springs can also heat our homes

Geothermal energy takes advantage of the heat generated from radioactive decay deep in the Earth. Geothermal-heat pumps and power plants represent a wide range of applications.1828TERMS TO KNOW:Passive solar technologiesGeothermal energyGeothermal heat pumpPayback timeGeothermal power plantsEnergy that causes volcanos to erupt and warms hot springs can also heat our homes

Geothermal energy takes advantage of the heat generated from radioactive decay deep in the Earth. Geothermal heat pumps and power plants represent a wide range of applications.

1928Energy that causes volcanos to erupt and warms hot springs can also heat our homes

Geothermal energy takes advantage of the heat generated from radioactive decay deep in the Earth. Geothermal-heat pumps and power plants represent a wide range of applications.

2028Power can be generated from moving waterbut at potentially significant environmental and social costs

From watermills to hydro power, falling water has provided power for thousands of years.About 10% of the electricity in the United States and 20% worldwide is supplied by water.Like wind, hydropower is an indirect form of solar energy.

Grand Coulee Dam in central Washington State.2128TERMS TO KNOW:HydropowerConservationThe true cost of various energy technologies can be difficult to estimate

The most basic approach to saving electricity is conservationmaking energy choices that require less electricity to begin with.2228TERMS TO KNOW:HydropowerConservationThe true cost of various energy technologies can be difficult to estimate

The most basic approach to saving electricity is conservation making energy choices that require less electricity to begin with.

2328Meeting our energy needs with renewable sources becomes more likely when we pair them with energy conservation measures

2428Meeting our energy needs with renewable sources becomes more likely when we pair them with energy conservation measures

2528Meeting our energy needs with renewable sources becomes more likely when we pair them with energy conservation measures

2628Meeting our energy needs with renewable sources becomes more likely when we pair them with energy conservation measures

27PERSONAL CHOICES THAT HELP

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UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE28

UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE28

ANALYZING THE SCIENCE28

Graph 1Graph 2Graph 3ANALYZING THE SCIENCE28

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Graph 1ANALYZING THE SCIENCE28

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Graph 2ANALYZING THE SCIENCE28

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Graph 3ANALYZING THE SCIENCE28

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Table 1

EVALUATING NEW INFORMATION28

www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you/how-clean.html

MAKING CONNECTIONS28