Alternative & Sustainable Energy Resources .pptx

Alternative Energy Resources

1. A l ternative & S u s t a inable E n e r gy R e s o u rces G R O U P 1 1

2. By Alternative energy resources, we refer to sources of energy that are not derived from fossil fuels, While Sustainable energy resources are those that can be used without depleting their availability for future generations. These includes renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power, as well as energy efficiency measures that minimize waste and promote conservation. Sustainable energy aims to meet current energy needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. I N T R ODUCTION

3. W h y w e n e e d a l t e r native s t o f o s s il f u e l s Alternative energy sources are important for two major reasons; Conventional fuels are finite and will eventually run out, and Alternative sources provide energy without adding to the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) that are accumulating in the atmosphere. RESEARCH : British Petroleum and Royal Dutch Shell, two of the world's largest oil companies say that by 2050, one-third of the world's energy will need to come from solar, wind, and other renewable resources. Climate change, population growth, and fossil fuel depletion mean that renewables will need to play a bigger role in the future than they do today.

4. S o l ar Energy W i n d E n e r gy H y d r o p o wer G e o t h ermal Energy B i o f u e l s I n this w o r k , w e ' r e g o i ng to look i n t o ;

5. S O L A R ENERGY Solar energy is light energy from the sun converted into electrical energy. It is the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source ( about 200,000 times the world’s total daily electric-generating capacity is received by Earth every day in the form of solar energy ) It does not deplete or contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

6. H o w I t W o r k s A typical solar energy system consists of solar photovoltaic panels, a solar inverter, a generation meter, cabling and connectors, an energy monitoring system, and an export limiter (if applicable). Solar panels are composed of many small photovoltaic cells made of semi-conductive materials, usually silicon, and housed in a metal panel frame with a glass casing. When sunlight containing photons (or particles of light) strikes the layer of silicon on the solar panels, electrons are knocked off the silicon atoms, causing electrons to freely drift in the cell. This results in an electric flow, which is also known as direct current (DC) electricity.

7. H o w It Works The DC electricity is then fed into the inverter in the solar PV system, which converts the electrical flow into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is required by most consumers to power their buildings. The AC electricity is then sent from the inverter to the property’s electrical panel, also known as a breaker box, which distributes the electricity throughout the property. A ny excess electricity not c o nsumed through the breaker box is fed into the grid , which stores it for future use or sale to other property owners.

8. O V E R V I EW

9. T y p i c a l H o m e S e t u p ( Small - s cale )

10. P R O S Decreases use of non-renewable resources Reduces power bill Energy independence Low-maintenance Tech is improving and prices are decreasing C O N S H i g h u p f r o nt c o s t Space constraints Environmental impact of manufacturing Scarcity of materials Difficulty with relocation Disposal/recycling options may be limited

11. W I ND E N E R GY Wind is used to produce electricity by converting the kinetic energy of air in motion into electricity. This is d o n e w i t h the a i d o f a W i n d T u rbine . Wind turbines essentially work in the opposite way to a fan, instead of using electricity to make wind, they use wind to make electricity. W h e n w i n d b l o w s t h e b l a d e s o f the Turbine , t h e k i n e t ic e n e r g y i s c o n v e r ted t o r o t a t i o n a l e n e r gy . This rotational energy is transferred to the s h a f t w h i c h t o t h e generator, p r o d u ces electrical energy. Wind turbines need to be built in the direction of prevailing winds and ideally on a clear hill top. S ince w i n d i s a b y p r o duct o f t h e s u n , i t 's i n p l e n t iful s u p p l y ( s u s t a inable ) for as long as t h e s u n ' s rays h e a t t h e p l a n e t .

12. P o wer G e n e r ated by W i n d T h e a m o u nt of p o w e r , t h e r e f ore e l e c t r i c ity , p r o d u c e d b y a w i n d turbine i s l a r g e l y b a s e d on w i n d v e locity b y the f o l l owing e q u ation ; P o wer = ½ ρ A V ³ W h e r e , ρ = a i r d e n s ity ≈ 1 k g / m ³ A = s w e p t a r e a ( π r ² ) V = W i n d V e l o c i ty ( m s - ¹ ) P o wer i s m e a sured in W a t t s Note : velocity is cubed in this equation . H e n c e , a doubling of wind speed causes an eight-fold increase in power.

13. T h e T w o T y p e s of Wind Turbine s H o r i z o n tal - a x i s ( b e s t ) V e r t i cal - a x i s

14. P R O S Very clean form of energy Sustainable method of power generation N o complex maintenance necessary Wind as a free resource Reduced energy costs for whole countries Wind power makes self-sufficiency possible C O N S Visual landscape impairment Negative impact on wildlife High noise level Hidden costs Unsteady wind Difficulty in finding suitable areas

15. H Y D R O P OWER Hydropower, or hydroelectric power, is a renewable source of energy that generates power by using a dam or diversion structure to alter the natural flow of a river or other body of water. Hydroelectric power, electricity produced from generators driven by turbines that convert the potential energy of falling or fast-flowing water into mechanical energy. Falling water is one of the three principal sources of energy used to generate electric power, the other two being fossil fuels and nuclear fuels. Hydropower relies on the endless, constantly recharging system of the water cycle to produce electricity, using a fuel—water—that is not reduced or eliminated in the process.

16. M E C H A N I S M O F O P E R ATION In the generation of hydroelectric power, water is collected or stored at a higher elevation and led downward through large pipes or tunnels (penstocks) to a lower elevation . At the end of its passage down the pipes, the falling water causes turbines to rotate. The turbines in turn drive generators, which convert the turbines’ mechanical energy into electricity. Transformers are then used to convert the alternating voltage suitable for the generators to a higher voltage suitable for long-distance transmission. The available electrical energy is proportional to the flow rate and the drop in elevation .

17. P ROS C lean energy source Is inexpensive in the long run Can be used for irrigation Can meet peak electricity demand C ONS Some adverse environmental impact Expensive up-front Lack of available reservoirs Facilities rely on local hydrology

18. G E O T H ERMAL ENERGY Geothermal energy is heat energy from the Earth generated by the decay of radioactive elements and residual heat from the Earth’s formation 4.5 billion years ago. To use geothermal energy water is pumped down into hot rocks through pipes where is it heated. When this water and steam comes back up to the surface it can be used directly to heat people’s homes, buildings, greenhouses etc., or the steam can be used to generate electricity through spinning turbine connected to a generator. Geothermal energy can only be harnessed where the rocks are hot enough. This is generally around plate boundaries like in Iceland, New Zealand and Italy, where heated rocks tend to be much closer to the surface. However, recent technological improvements have increased the geographical range of geothermal power.

19. P ROS Environmentally friendly ( l e s s GHG emission ) Renewable and sustainable Massive potential Stable O u t put ( u n l i ke w i n d a n d s o l a r ) C ONS Environmental issues Surface instability (earthquakes) Expensive Location-specific

20. B I O F UELS Biofuels are fuels produced from biomass either directly from plants or indirectly from agricultural, commercial, domestic and/or industrial waste. They similar to fossil fuels but they are made from plants grown today rather than plants that grew millions of years ago. They can be made quickly so they are renewable. The two main types of biofuel are bioethanol and biodiesel. Bioethanol is an alcohol made by fermentation of crops such as corn, sugarcane and sweet sorghum. It is used as a petrol additive to increase octane and lower carbon emissions or can be used directly as a fuel.

21. Biodiesel is an oil based biofuel produced from vegetable fats such as rapeseed, sunflower seed, soya bean and palm oil. It is used to reduce levels of particulates, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons from diesel-powered vehicles or directly to fuel vehicles. Ideally biofuels should be carbon neutral because they absorb as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere whilst they are growing as they give off when they are burnt. However at present because fossil fuels are used in the production of biofuels, they are not currently carbon neutral, although they do still release less CO2 than burning fossil fuels directly .

22. P ROS Cleane r ( c o m p a r e d to f o s s i l f u e l s ) C h e a p ( v a s t ) s o u r c ing Renewability E c o n o mic I n d e pendence C ONS Long-Term Costs Food vs. Fuel Sources Biofuel Monoculture Pollution and Water Use

23. W h a t E n e r gy I s M o s t E f f icient ? It is generally believed that wind is the most efficient way to harness renewable energy. Because windmills can be placed in open areas also used for farming, they offer flexibility. A l s o , rows of wind turbines c a n b e constructed along coastal areas where nothing can hinder the flow of wind . As well as being able to physically fit the infrastructure into areas on land and sea, wind energy is drought-proof.

24. T H A N K YOU A L L F O R L ISTEN I NG !