Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Renewable Energy/Answer Key"

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'''Renewable energy (sources)''' or '''RES''' capture their energy from existing flows of energy, from ''on-going natural processes'', such as [[solar power|sunshine]], [[wind power|wind]], [[hydro power|flowing water]], [[biomass|biological processes]], and [[geothermal]] heat flows. Neither fossil fuels nor nuclear power are considered to be renewable. For a discussion of this, please see the [[#Fossil fuels|fossil fuels]] and [[#Nuclear energy|nuclear energy]] sections in this article.
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<!-- 1. What is renewable energy? -->
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Renewable energy is energy whose origins are continually and naturally replenished without human intervention. Examples of renewable energy sources include sunlight, wind, and waves.
  
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Most renewable forms of energy, other than geothermal and [[tidal power]], ultimately come from the [[Sun]]. Some forms are stored solar energy such as [[rain]]fall and wind power which are considered short-term solar-energy storage, whereas the energy in biomass is accumulated over a period of months, as in [[straw]], or through many years as in [[wood]]. Capturing renewable energy by plants, animals and humans does not permanently deplete the resource. [[Fossil fuel]]s, while theoretically renewable on a very long time-scale, are exploited at rates that may deplete these resources in the near future (see: [[Hubbert peak]]).
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As the demand for energy resources continues to climb, mankind is faced with the dilemma of depleting the earth's resources to meet the demand. With the discovery of processes designed to harness clean and renewable energy, depletion of such resources will not be an issue, since they are naturally replenished. In addition, these processes have much less of an environmental impact than conventional methods used to harness resources such as oil.
  
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Renewable energy resources may be used directly, or used to create other more convenient forms of energy. Examples of direct use are [[solar oven]]s, geothermal heating, and [[watermill|water-]] and [[windmill]]s. Examples of indirect use which require [[energy harvesting]] are [[electricity generation]] through [[wind turbine]]s or [[photovoltaic]] cells, or production of fuels such as ethanol from biomass (see [[alcohol as a fuel]]).
 
  
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A parameter sometimes used in renewable energy is the tonne of [[oil]] equivalent (toe). This is equal to 10,000 [[Calorie|megacal]] or 41,868 MJ of energy.[http://www.iea.org/Textbase/stats/unit.asp]
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<!-- 3. Describe how each of the following sources is used as a renewable source of energy. Draw an illustration depicting the usage of at least 3 of these renewable sources of energy. -->
  
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For aspects of renewable energy use in modern societies see [[Renewable energy development]].
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Wind Power is energy that has been converted from the natural movement of wind by the use of devices such as wind turbines. It is clean, largely available, and produces no greenhouse gas emissions.
  
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Bioenergy is biomass energy, which is energy from organic matter. Wood, plants, even the fumes from landfills can be used as a biomass energy source.
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Ethanol is a fuel made from corn, sugar cane and other sources used in auto and jet fuel.
  
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== Defining renewable ==
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Geothermal energy is energy that is created and stored in the earth. It can be used for heating for large areas, mineral recovery, and industrial process heating.
  
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The concept of renewable energy was introduced in the 1970s as part of an effort to move beyond nuclear and fossil fuels. The most common definition is that renewable energy is from an energy resource that is replaced rapidly by a natural, ongoing process. Under this definition, neither fossil fuels nor nuclear power are renewable. Some, notably nuclear power and coal advocates, disagree with this definition, arguing that some renewable energy sources can have as great an impact on the environment as energy sources that don't technically meet this definition.
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Hydropower is energy that is comes from falling water. Most commonly electricity from dams or run of the river generation turbines is created. Other uses are irrigation and (in pioneer times) falling water was directly harnessed with water wheels for the operation of gristmills and sawmills.
  
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== Modern sources of renewable energy ==
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=== Solar energy ===
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Ocean Energy is energy that is comes from the ocean, which can be responsible for two types of energy: mechanical energy from the tides and waves, and thermal energy from the heat of the sun. It can be used for generating electricity.
  
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[[Image:Solar_panels_on_yacht_at_sea.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The solar panels (photovoltaic arrays) on this small yacht at sea can charge the 12 V batteries at up to 9 amperes in full, direct sunlight.]]
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''Main article: '''[[Solar power]]'''''
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Solar Power is light and heat that is derived from the sun and collected through solar panels. It can be used to generate electricity for a variety of useful applications.
  
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Since most renewable energy is ultimately "solar energy" this term is slightly confusing and used in two different ways: firstly as a synonym for "renewable energies" as a whole and secondly for the energy that is directly collected from sunlight. In this section it is used in the latter category.
 
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Solar power can be used to:
 
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* generate electricity using [[solar cells]]
 
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* generate electricity using [[Solar power#Solar thermal power plants|thermal power plants]]
 
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* generate electricity using [[solar tower]]s
 
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* heat buildings, directly
 
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* heat buildings, through [[heat pump]]s
 
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* heat foodstuffs, through [[solar oven]]s.
 
  
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==== Drawbacks ====
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Obviously the sun does not provide constant energy to any spot on the Earth, so its use is limited. Solar cells are often used to power batteries, as most other applications would require a secondary energy source, to cope with outages.
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<!-- 4. Individually or as a group, discuss some of the earliest forms of renewable energy. Are there energy forms that might have been used before sin? By Noah? By the patriarchs? -->
  
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Solar power is renewable.
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The earliest form of renewable energy was probably the burning of biomass in the form of wood and dried animal dung. The fuel could be stored, and energy was available for immediate use, but the energy could not be kept in storage for afterwards.
  
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=== Wind energy ===
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Some people believe that the pre-flood culture had advanced technologies. Out of place artifacts like machined balls and gold chains inside coal suggest this. Consider how much knowledge a person living hundreds of years and so close to God's perfect creation of Adam and Eve could amass and what they could create with that knowledge. The world had one language as well, and many overlapping generations, facilitating communication.
  
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''Main article: '''[[Wind power]]'''''
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Additional references are available from the Bible which can provide further insight into this. For example, the sun, the movement of water through rivers, etc.
  
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As the the sun heats up the Earth unevenly, winds are formed. The kinetic energy in the wind can be used to run [[wind turbine]]s, some capable of producing 5 MW of power. The power output is a function of the cube of the wind speed, so such turbines generally require a wind in the range 5.5 m/s (20 km/h), and in practice relatively few land areas have significant prevailing winds. Luckily, offshore or at high altitudes, the winds are much more constant.
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<!-- 5. Individually or as a group, show at least five important events in the history of renewable energy through:<br>a. Presentation<br>b. Video<br>c. Interactive game<br>d. Speech<br>e. Display -->
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For this requirement, you will need to research the history of renewable energy, and then present your findings using one of the techniques listed in the requirement.
  
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There are now many thousands of wind turbines operating in various parts of the world, with utility companies having a total capacity of over 47,317MW.
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New wind farms and offshore wind parks are being planned and built all over the world. This has been the most rapidly-growing means of electricity generation at the turn of the [[21st century]] and provides a complement to large-scale base-load power stations. Most deployed turbines produce electricity about 25% of the time (load factor 25%), but some reach 35%. The load factor is generally higher in winter.
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Prior to the development of coal in the mid 19th century, nearly all energy used was renewable. Almost without a doubt the oldest known use of renewable energy, in the form of traditional biomass to fuel fires, dates from the beginning of history.
  
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==== Drawbacks ====
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There is resistance to the establishment of land based wind farms owing initially to perceptions they are noisy and contribute to "visual pollution," i.e., they are considered to be eyesores. Many people also claim that turbines kill birds, and that they in general do little for the environment.
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Probably the second oldest usage of renewable energy is harnessing the wind in order to drive ships over water. This practice can be traced back to ships on the Nile.
  
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Others have argued that they find the turbines beautiful, that turbines out at sea are invisible to anyone on the shore, that cars kill more birds annually and that turbines are continuing to evolve.
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The primary sources of traditional renewable energy were human labor, animal power, water power, wind, in grain crushing windmills, and firewood, a traditional biomass. A graph of energy use in the United States up until 1900 shows oil and natural gas with about the same importance in 1900 as wind and solar played in 2010.
  
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While the winds don't die out when the sun sets, they do die down, and thus cannot be relied upon the generate continuous power. Some calculations suggest that 1000MW of wind generated electricity can replace just 300MW of continuous power. While this might change as technology evolves, advocates have suggested using wind power to pump water into reservoirs (see [[water power]] in this article), or power industrial applications that don't depend on a continuous electricity supply, like [[electrolysis]].
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By 1873, concerns of running out of coal prompted experiments with using solar energy. Development of solar engines continued until the outbreak of World War I. The importance of solar energy was recognized in a 1911 Scientific American article: "in the far distant future, natural fuels having been exhausted [solar power] will remain as the only means of existence of the human race".
  
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Wind power is renewable.
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The theory of peak oil was published in 1956. In the 1970s environmentalists promoted the development of renewable energy both as a replacement for the eventual depletion of oil, as well as for an escape from dependence on oil, and the first electricity generating wind turbines appeared. Solar had long been used for heating and cooling, but solar panels were too costly to build solar farms until 1980.
  
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=== Geothermal energy ===
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The source of most renewable energy comes from the sun.
  
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Geothermal energy ultimately comes from [[radioactive decay]] in the core of the [[Earth]], which heats the Earth from the inside out, and from the sun, which heats the surface. It can be used in three ways:
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* Geothermal electricity
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* Geothermal heating, through a [[heat pump]].
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Renewable energy such as solar energy can be used to supply power larger communities through a solar power station. Tanks of molten salt can be used to store the energy harnessed from the sun for the purpose of generating electricity during cloud cover, or through the night. Renewable energy can also be used for agricultural purposes, providing social services, education, and health care.
  
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Usually, the term 'geothermal' is reserved for the thermal energy from the core of the Earth.
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Geothermal electricity is created by pumping a fluid (oil or water) into the Earth, allowing it to evaporate and using the hot gases vented from the earth's crust to run [[turbine]]s linked to [[electrical generator]]s.
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Fuel made from bio sources like corn is now a common ingredient in automotive fuel.  
  
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The geothermal energy from the core of the Earth is closer to the surface in some areas than in others. Where hot underground steam or water can be tapped and brought to the surface it may be used to generate electricity. Such [[geothermal power]] sources exist in certain geologically unstable parts of the world such as [[Iceland]], [[New Zealand]], [[United States]], [[Philippines|the Philippines]] and [[Italy]]. The two most prominent areas for this in the United States are in the [[Yellowstone National Park|Yellowstone]] basin and in northern [[California]]. [[Iceland]] produced 170 MW geothermal power and heated 86% of all houses in the year 2000 through geothermal energy. Some 8000 MW of capacity is operational in total.
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Hydro electric power (electricity) is a renewable energy used everywhere the grid goes.
  
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Geothermal heat from the surface of the Earth can be used on most of the globe directly to heat and cool buildings. The temperature of the crust a few feet below the surface is buffered to a constant 7-14C (45-58F), so a liquid can be pre-heated or pre-cooled in underground pipelines, providing free cooling in the summer and, via a [[heat pump]], heating in the winter. Other direct uses are in agriculture (greenhouses), aquaculture and industry.
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<!-- 8. Why have many governments invested in renewable energy sources? Be able to cite at least two examples. -->
  
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==== Drawbacks ====
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Although geothermal sites are capable of providing heat for many decades, eventually specific locations cool down. Some interpret this as meaning a specific geothermal location can undergo depletion. Others see such an interpretation as an inaccurate usage of the word depletion because the overall supply of geothermal energy on Earth, and its source, remain nearly constant. Geothermal energy depends on local geological instability, which, by definition, is unpredictable, and might stabilise.
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There are positive incentives for governments to invest in renewable energy sources.
  
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The general public considers geothermal energy to be renewable.
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===The Overall Impact on the Planet=== <!--T:27-->
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Most sources of renewable energy pose no noxious by-products (the main exception being the burning of biomass). As a result, there is less pollution, waste, and less of a threat concerning extremely destructive natural disasters.  
  
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=== Water power ===
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The reality of global warming has also become a considerable factor with regard to the harmful effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) on the balance of the planet’s ecosystem. The less CO2, the better of our planet would be.
  
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''Main article: '''[[Water power]]'''''
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===The Failure of its Technology More Minimized=== <!--T:29-->
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The technology used to harness energy from renewable resources is essentially stable. As a result, insurance companies are more inclined to issue warranties for performance of panels and turbines for 20 years or more. Once these items are installed, they can be relied upon to start working straight away and not stop for years.
  
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Energy in water can be harnessed and used, in the form of motive energy or temperature differences. Since water is about a thousand times heavier than air is, even a slow flowing stream of water can yield great amounts of energy.
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<!-- 9. What are some of the issues facing the use of renewable energy? What are some of the advantages and potential disadvantages of moving away from fossil fuel energy sources to renewable energy? -->
  
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There are many forms:
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* [[Hydroelectric]] energy, a term usually reserved for hydroelectric dams.
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Although renewable energy has many advantages with regard to its environmental impact, there are concerns that must be considered as well. The ability to supply energy to meet the demand may pose a problem. Providing renewable energy requires designing and building equipment that will harness and extract it once found. The entire manufacturing process must be considered as well.
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* [[Tidal power]], which captures energy from the tides in horizontal direction. Tides come in, raise waterlevels in a basin, and tides roll out. The water must pass through a [[turbine]] to get out of the basin.
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* [[Tidal stream power]], which does the same vertically, capturing the stream of water as it is moved around the world by the tides.
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The general population has grown accustomed to current resources such as oil for heating. As such, although the development of an cleaner, alternative means that present less of an environmental impact may not gain the momentum desired. Some renewable resources have not been around long and tested long enough for individuals to give up what they are comfortable with for something that may be cleaner.
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* [[Wave power]], which uses the energy in waves. The waves will usually move large [[pontoon]]s up and down.
 
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* [[Ocean thermal energy conversion]] (OTEC), which uses the temperature difference between the warmer surface of the ocean and the cool (or cold) lower recesses. To this end, it employs a [[cyclic heat engine]].
 
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* [[Deep lake water cooling]], not technically an energy generation method, though it can save a lot of energy in summer. It uses submerged pipes as a [[heat sink]] for [[air conditioning|climate control systems]]. Lake-bottom water is a year-round local constant of about 4 °[[Celsius|C]].
 
  
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==== Drawbacks ====
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Hydroelectric power is probably not a major option for the future of energy production in the developed nations because most major sites within these nations with the potential for harnessing gravity in this way are either already being exploited or are unavailable for other reasons such as environmental considerations.
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Building a dam often involves flooding large areas of land, changing habitats, and while hydroelectric energy produces essentially no carbon dioxide, recent reports have linked hydroelectric power to methane, which forms out of decaying submerged plants which grow in the dried up parts of the basis in times of drought. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas.
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<!-- 10. Individually or as a group, build, not from a kit, a device to harness some form of renewable energy. These devices may include:<br>a. Potato clock<br>b. Solar or wind powered motor<br>c. Hydropower lift<br>d. Your choice. -->
  
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The other methods of energy generation (and cooling) have had varying degrees of success in the field. Wave and tidal power prove hard to tap, while OTEC has not been field tested on a large scale.
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Note: Internet search engines provide tons of information when you type one of the sources of renewable power and “science experiment.” Thus for hydropower you would search for “hydropower science experiment.”
  
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The general public mostly considers water power energy to be renewable.
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<!-- 11. Brainstorm a list of at least four Biblical texts/stories that illustrate the use of renewable energy. -->
  
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=== Biomass ===
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===Wind - to move ships through the waters.=== <!--T:34-->
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''Main article: '''[[Biofuel]]'''''
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{{Bible verse
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|book=Jonah
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“But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.”
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}}
  
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Plants partly use [[photosynthesis]] to store solar energy, water and [[CO2|CO]]<sub>2</sub>.
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===In Job, Satan used a wind power for evil.=== <!--T:35-->
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Biofuel is any fuel that derives from biomass - recently living organisms or their metabolic byproducts, such as manure from cows. It is a renewable energy.  
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{{Bible verse
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|book=Job
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|chapter=1
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|verse=19
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|version=KJV
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|text=
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“And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.”
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}}
  
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Typically biofuel is burned to release its stored chemical energy. Research into more efficient methods of converting biofuels and other fuels into electricity utilizing fuel cells is an area of very active work.
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===Biomass - from firewood=== <!--T:36-->
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[[Biomass]], also known as biomatter, can be used directly as fuel or to produce liquid [[biofuel]]. Agriculturally produced biomass fuels, such as biodiesel, [[ethanol]] and [[bagasse]] (often a by-product of [[sugar cane]] cultivation) can be burned in [[internal combustion engine]]s or [[boiler]]s.
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{{Bible verse
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|book=Leviticus
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|chapter=1
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|verse=6-8
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|version=KJV
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|text=
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“And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire: And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar.”
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}}
  
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==== Liquid biofuel ====
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|book=1 Kings
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|chapter=17
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|verse=10-12
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|version=KJV
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|text=
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“And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”
  
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Liquid biofuel is usually bioalcohol such as [[methanol]], [[ethanol]] and [[biodiesel]]. Biodiesel can be used in modern diesel vehicles with little or no modification and can be obtained from waste and crude vegetable and animal oil and fats ([[lipid]]s). In some areas [[maize|corn]], [[sugarbeet]]s, cane and grasses are grown specifically to produce ethanol (also known as alcohol) a liquid which can be used in [[internal combustion engine]]s and [[fuel cells]].  
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So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”
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}}
  
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The EU plans to add 5% bioethanol to Europe's petrol by 2010. For the UK alone this would require 1.2 million hectares of arable land to be used exclusively for the production of bioethanol. Within its borders, the country only has 6.5 million hectares of arable land.
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Other, more efficient sources of biofuel, such as palm and soya oil, would probably have a significant negative environmental impact due to habitat damage in the areas in which they are grown.
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{{Bible verse
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|verse=12
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|version=KJV
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|text=
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“And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.”
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}}
  
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==== Solid biomass ====
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Direct use is usually in the form of combustible solids, either firewood or combustible field crops. Field crops may be grown specifically for combustion or may be used for other purposes, and the processed plant waste then used for combustion. Most sorts of biomatter, including dried manure, can actually be burnt to heat water and to drive turbines.
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[[Category:Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Do at home{{GetLangSuffix}}]]
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[[Sugar cane]] residue, [[wheat]] chaff, [[maize|corn cobs]] and other plant matter can be, and is, burnt quite successfully. The process releases no net CO<sub>2</sub>.
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Solid biomass van also be [[gasification|gasified]], and used as described in the next section.
 
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==== Biogas ====
 
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:''Main article: [[biogas]]
 
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Many organic materials can release gases, due to metabolisation of organic matter by bacteria ([[fermentation]]. Landfills actually need to release this gas to prevent dangerous explosions. Animal feces releases methane under the influence of [[anaerobic bacteria]].
 
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Also, under high pressure, high temperature, [[anaerobic]] conditions many organic materials such as wood can be [[gasification|gasified]] to produce gas. This is often found to be more efficient than direct burning.
 
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The gas can then be used to generate electricity and/or heat.
 
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−
==== Drawbacks ====
 
−
All biomass needs to go through some of these steps: it needs to be grown, collected, dried, fermented and burned. All of these steps require resources and an infrastructure.
 
−
 
 
−
Biomatter energy, under the right conditions, is considered to be renewable.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
== Small scale energy sources ==
 
−
 
 
−
There are many small scale energy sources that generally cannot be scaled up to industrial size. A short list:
 
−
* [[piezoelectricity|Piezo electric]] crystals generate a small voltage whenever they are mechanically deformed. Vibration from [[internal combustion engine|engines]] can stimulate piezo electric crystals, as can the heels of shoes
 
−
* Some watches are already powered by kinetics, in this case movement of the arm
 
−
* [[Electrokinetics]] generate electricity from the kinetic energy in water that is pumped through tiny channels
 
−
* Special [[antenna (electronics)|antennae]] can collect energy from stray radio waves or theoretically even light ([[Electromagnetic radiation|EM radiation]]).
 
−
 
 
−
== Discussion of renewable energy ==
 
−
=== Aesthetics, habitat hazards and land use ===
 
−
Some people dislike the aesthetics of [[wind turbines]] or bring up nature conservation issues when it comes to large solar-electric installations outside of cities. Some people try to utilize these renewable technologies in an efficient and aesthetically pleasing way: fixed solar collectors can double as noise barriers along highways, roof-tops are available already and could even be replaced totally by solar collectors, [[photovoltaic cell|amorphous photovoltaic cells]] can be used to tint windows and produce energy etc.
 
−
 
 
−
Some renewable energy capture systems entail unique environmental problems. For instance, wind turbines can be hazardous to flying birds, while hydroelectric dams can create barriers for migrating fish - a serious problem in the Pacific Northwest that has decimated the numbers of many salmon populations. Burning biomass and biofuels causes air pollution similar to that of burning fossil fuels, although it causes a lower greenhouse effect since the carbon placed in the atmosphere was already there before the plants were grown, rather than being "new" carbon from fossil fuels <!-- this could prolly be phrased better... -->.
 
−
 
 
−
Another problem with many renewables, especially biomass and biofuels, is the large amount of land required, which otherwise could be left as wilderness.
 
−
 
 
−
=== Availability ===
 
−
 
 
−
Another inherent difficulty with renewables is their variable and diffuse nature (the exception being [[geothermal energy]], which is however only accessible in exceptional locations). Since renewable energy sources are providing relatively low-intensity energy, the new kinds of "power plants" needed to convert the sources into usable energy need to be distributed over large areas.
 
−
 
 
−
To illustrate, note that production of 1000 kWh of electricity per year (a typical per-year-per-capita consumption of electricity in Western countries), in cloudy [[Europe]] would require about eight square meters of [[solar panel]]s (assuming a below-average solar conversion rate of 12.5%). Systematic electrical generation requires reliable overlapping sources or some means of storage on a reasonable scale ([[hydroelectricity|pumped-storage hydro system]]s, batteries, future hydrogen [[fuel cell]]s, etc).
 
−
So, because of currently-expensive energy storage systems, a small stand-alone system is only economic in rare cases, or in applications where the connection to the global energy network would drive costs up sharply.
 
−
 
 
−
The geographic diversity of resources is also significant. Some countries and regions have significantly better resources than others in particular RE sectors. Some nations have significant resources at distance from the major population centers where electricity demand exists. Exploiting such resources on a large scale is likely to require considerable investment in transmission and distribution networks as well as in the technology itself.
 
−
 
 
−
=== Comparison ===
 
−
Renewable energy sources are fundamentally different from fossil fuel or nuclear power plants because the Sun will 'power' these 'power plants' (meaning sunlight, the wind, flowing water, etc.) for the next 4 billion years. They also do not directly produce greenhouse gases and other emissions, as fossil fuel combustion does. Most do not introduce any global new risks such as [[nuclear waste]].
 
−
 
 
−
==== Nuclear power ====
 
−
''Main article: [[Nuclear power]]''
 
−
 
 
−
Because nuclear power is not a cyclical organic process it does not meet the historic definition of renewable energy.  Proponents claim that nuclear power is at least as environmentally friendly or as "clean" as many traditional sources of renewable energy and they also claim it is the best future solution to the world's growing need for energy. (see [[#Defining renewable|defining renewable]]). 
 
−
 
 
−
By using breeder reactors, which transform materials that are not generally fissile (such as most [[isotope|isotopes]] of [[uranium]] into easily fissile material, such as [[plutonium]] and by harvesting nuclear material from [[mines]], [[seawater]] and [[granite]], we could theoretically continue to use nuclear power for billions of years, as calculated by  Bernard Cohen. [http://www-formal.stanford.edu/jmc/progress/cohen.html]  However, these calculations have been proven to be faulty. For example, they don't take the natural decay of uranium into account.  Moreover, they ignore rising electricity demands. They also ignore alternate fissile materials such as [[thorium]]. It is currently impossible to say how much fissile material will be available in the future, or how long it will last when used.
 
−
 
 
−
Some critics of nuclear energy argue that nuclear energy could lead to the proliferation of [[nuclear weapon]]s technology, since some nuclear reactors create the materials necessary for these weapons.
 
−
 
 
−
==== Fossil fuels ====
 
−
''Main article: [[Fossil fuel]]''
 
−
 
 
−
Fossil fuels are not considered a renewable energy source, but are often compared and contrasted with renewables in the context of [[future energy development]].
 
−
 
 
−
Fossil fuels are generally thought to be the altered remnants of ancient plant and animal life deposited in sedimentary rocks. They were formed millions of years ago and have rested underground, mostly dormant, since that time.
 
−
 
 
−
===== Controversy =====
 
−
The coal industry in the US is publicly claiming coal is renewable energy because the coal was originally biomass.  However, the biomass of fossil fuels was produced on the time scale of millions of years through a series of events and it is considered to be a deposit of energy, not an energy flow. Some scientist hold the view that the formation of fossil fuels was a one-time event, made possible by unique conditions during the [[Devonian]] period, such as increased oxygen levels and huge swamps.
 
−
 
 
−
When the term renewable was introduced (see [[Renewable energy#Defining renewable|Defining renewable]] within this  article), it was a generally held belief that the Earth's sources would be depleted within some fifty years. Since then, large deposits of deep-Earth oil have been found, which has extended this timetable. Earth will eventually run out of fossil fuels (see [[peak oil]]).
 
−
 
 
−
=== Transmission ===
 
−
 
 
−
==== Distributed generation ====
 
−
If renewable and [[distributed generation]] were to become widespread, [[electric power transmission]] and [[electricity distribution]] systems might no longer be the main distributors of electrical energy but would operate to balance the electricity needs of local communities. Those with surplus energy would sell to areas needing "top ups". That is, network operation would require a shift from 'passive management' - where generators are hooked up and the system is operated to get electricity 'downstream' to the consumer - to 'active management', wherein generators are spread across a network and inputs and outputs need to be constantly monitored to ensure proper balancing occurs within the system. Some Governments and regulators are moving to address this, though much remains to be done. One potential solution is the increased use of active management of electricity transmission and distribution networks. This will require significant changes in the way that such networks are operated.
 
−
 
 
−
However, on a small scale, use of renewable energy that can often be produced "on the spot" lowers the requirements [[electricity distribution]] systems have to fulfill. Current systems, while rarely economically efficient, have proven an average household with a solar panel array and energy storage system of the right size needs electricity from outside sources for only a few hours every week. Hence, advocates of renewable energy believe electricity distribution systems will become smaller and easier to manage, rather than the opposite.
 
−
 
 
−
==== Energy storage====
 
−
 
 
−
See also: [[Grid energy storage]] and the section on energy storage in [[#Energy development#Energy storage|Energy development]].
 
−
 
 
−
== Historical usage of (renewable) energy ==
 
−
In times when fossil fuels and nuclear power where not available, only renewable energy sources were used (though one might argue that clear cutting to provide firewood is hardly sustainable).
 
−
 
 
−
=== Wood ===
 
−
[[Wood fuel|Wood]] was the earliest manipulated energy source in human history, being used as a thermal energy source through burning, and it is still important in this context today. Burning wood was important for both [[cooking]] and providing heat, enabling human presence in cold climates. Special types of wood cooking, [[drying (food)|food dehydration]] and [[smoking (food)|smoke curing]], also enabled human societies to safely store perishable foodstuffs through the year. Eventually, it was discovered that partial combustion in the relative absence of oxygen could produce [[charcoal]], which provided a hotter and more compact and portable energy source. However, this was not a more efficient energy source, because it required a large input in wood to create the charcoal.
 
−
 
 
−
=== Animal traction ===
 
−
Motive power for vehicles and mechanical devices was originally produced through [[animal traction]]. Animals such as horses and oxen not only provided transportation but also powered mills. Animals are still extensively in use in many parts of the world for these purposes.
 
−
 
 
−
=== Water power ===
 
−
Animal power for mills was eventually supplanted by water power, the power of falling water in rivers, wherever it was exploitable. Direct use of water power for mechanical purposes is today fairly uncommon, but still in use.
 
−
Originally, water power through [[hydroelectricity]] was the most important source of electrical generation throughout society, and is still an important source today. Throughout most of the history of human technology, hydroelectricity has been the only renewable source of electricity generation significantly tapped for the generation of electricity.
 
−
 
 
−
=== Wind power ===
 
−
[[Wind power]] has been used for several hundred years. It was originally used via large sail-blade [[windmill]]s with slow-moving blades, such as those seen in the [[Netherlands]] and mentioned in [[Don Quixote]]. These large mills usually either pumped water or powered small mills. Newer windmills featured smaller, faster-turning, more compact units with more
 
−
blades, such as those seen throughout the [[Great Plains]]. These were mostly used for pumping water from wells. Recent years have seen the rapid development of wind generation farms by mainstream power companies, using a new generation of large, high wind turbines with two or three immense and relatively slow-moving blades.
 
−
 
 
−
=== Solar power ===
 
−
[[Solar power]] as a direct energy source has been not been captured by mechanical systems until recent human history, but was captured as an energy source through architecture in certain societies for many centuries. Not until the twentieth century was direct solar input extensively explored via more carefully planned architecture (passive solar) or via heat capture in mechanical systems (active solar) or electrical conversion (photovoltaic). Increasingly today the sun is
 
−
harnessed for heat and electricity.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
== See also ==
 
−
 
 
−
*[[Renewable energy development]]
 
−
*[[Ashden Award]] for Renewable Energy.
 
−
*[[Net energy gain]].
 
−
*[[Electric vehicle]].
 
−
*[[Electric boat]].
 
−
*[[Green car]].
 
−
*[[Soft energy path]].
 
−
*[[European Union Climate Change Programme]].
 
−
*[[Whole Earth Catalog]].
 
−
 
 
−
== External links ==
 
−
 
 
−
* [http://www.ief-energy.org/ International Energy Foundation]
 
−
* [http://www.inboxrobot.com/news/AlternativeEnergy Alternative Energy newsletter for Research Professionals]
 
−
* [http://www.nrel.gov/ National Renewable Energy Laboratory (American)]
 
−
* [http://www.GenomeNewsNetwork.org/categories/index/energy.php Genome News Network (GNN) Energy News] Collection of articles about how advances in genomics is leading to advances in energy production.
 
−
* [http://www.cat.org.uk/ Centre for Alternative Energy (European)]
 
−
* [http://www.activistmagazine.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=120 Carbon Activism for Beginners].
 
−
* [http://www.ecoresearch.net/election2004/report/sentence?s=1 Renewable Energy Media Analysis] &mdash; US Election 2004 Web Monitor
 
−
* [http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy/intelligent/index_en.html EU Intelligent Energy]
 
−
* [http://www.itdg.org/ Intermediate Technology Development Group]
 
−
* [http://www.thehydrogenexpedition.com/ The Hydrogen Expedition] Renewable energy world record
 
−
 
 
−
== References ==
 
−
 
 
−
*[http://eia.doe.gov/ U.S. Energy Information Administration] provides a wide range of statistics and information on the industry.
 
−
*Boyle, G. (ed.), ''Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future''. Open University, UK, 1996.
 
−
*[http://www.eere.energy.gov/ U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Home Page]
 
−
 
 
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Latest revision as of 23:36, 3 January 2023

Other languages:
English • ‎español
Renewable Energy

Skill Level

2

Year

2014

Version

14.11.2024

Approval authority

General Conference

Renewable Energy AY Honor.png
Renewable Energy
Nature
Skill Level
123
Approval authority
General Conference
Year of Introduction
2014
See also
Conservation Master Award
Preservation of Water Resources
Climate Science - Advanced


1

What is renewable energy?


Renewable energy is energy whose origins are continually and naturally replenished without human intervention. Examples of renewable energy sources include sunlight, wind, and waves.


2

Why is renewable energy important?


As the demand for energy resources continues to climb, mankind is faced with the dilemma of depleting the earth's resources to meet the demand. With the discovery of processes designed to harness clean and renewable energy, depletion of such resources will not be an issue, since they are naturally replenished. In addition, these processes have much less of an environmental impact than conventional methods used to harness resources such as oil.



3

Describe how each of the following sources is used as a renewable source of energy. Draw an illustration depicting the usage of at least 3 of these renewable sources of energy.



3a

Wind Power


Wind Power is energy that has been converted from the natural movement of wind by the use of devices such as wind turbines. It is clean, largely available, and produces no greenhouse gas emissions.


3b

Bioenergy


Bioenergy is biomass energy, which is energy from organic matter. Wood, plants, even the fumes from landfills can be used as a biomass energy source. Ethanol is a fuel made from corn, sugar cane and other sources used in auto and jet fuel.


3c

Geothermal Energy


Geothermal energy is energy that is created and stored in the earth. It can be used for heating for large areas, mineral recovery, and industrial process heating.


3d

Hydropower


Hydropower is energy that is comes from falling water. Most commonly electricity from dams or run of the river generation turbines is created. Other uses are irrigation and (in pioneer times) falling water was directly harnessed with water wheels for the operation of gristmills and sawmills.


3e

Ocean Energy


Ocean Energy is energy that is comes from the ocean, which can be responsible for two types of energy: mechanical energy from the tides and waves, and thermal energy from the heat of the sun. It can be used for generating electricity.


3f

Solar Power


Solar Power is light and heat that is derived from the sun and collected through solar panels. It can be used to generate electricity for a variety of useful applications.




4

Individually or as a group, discuss some of the earliest forms of renewable energy. Are there energy forms that might have been used before sin? By Noah? By the patriarchs?


The earliest form of renewable energy was probably the burning of biomass in the form of wood and dried animal dung. The fuel could be stored, and energy was available for immediate use, but the energy could not be kept in storage for afterwards.

Some people believe that the pre-flood culture had advanced technologies. Out of place artifacts like machined balls and gold chains inside coal suggest this. Consider how much knowledge a person living hundreds of years and so close to God's perfect creation of Adam and Eve could amass and what they could create with that knowledge. The world had one language as well, and many overlapping generations, facilitating communication.

Additional references are available from the Bible which can provide further insight into this. For example, the sun, the movement of water through rivers, etc.


5

Individually or as a group, show at least five important events in the history of renewable energy through:
a. Presentation
b. Video
c. Interactive game
d. Speech
e. Display


For this requirement, you will need to research the history of renewable energy, and then present your findings using one of the techniques listed in the requirement.

Prior to the development of coal in the mid 19th century, nearly all energy used was renewable. Almost without a doubt the oldest known use of renewable energy, in the form of traditional biomass to fuel fires, dates from the beginning of history.

Probably the second oldest usage of renewable energy is harnessing the wind in order to drive ships over water. This practice can be traced back to ships on the Nile.

The primary sources of traditional renewable energy were human labor, animal power, water power, wind, in grain crushing windmills, and firewood, a traditional biomass. A graph of energy use in the United States up until 1900 shows oil and natural gas with about the same importance in 1900 as wind and solar played in 2010.

By 1873, concerns of running out of coal prompted experiments with using solar energy. Development of solar engines continued until the outbreak of World War I. The importance of solar energy was recognized in a 1911 Scientific American article: "in the far distant future, natural fuels having been exhausted [solar power] will remain as the only means of existence of the human race".

The theory of peak oil was published in 1956. In the 1970s environmentalists promoted the development of renewable energy both as a replacement for the eventual depletion of oil, as well as for an escape from dependence on oil, and the first electricity generating wind turbines appeared. Solar had long been used for heating and cooling, but solar panels were too costly to build solar farms until 1980.


6

Discover the source of most reusable energy.


The source of most renewable energy comes from the sun.


7

What are some commercial and industrial uses of renewable energy?


Renewable energy such as solar energy can be used to supply power larger communities through a solar power station. Tanks of molten salt can be used to store the energy harnessed from the sun for the purpose of generating electricity during cloud cover, or through the night. Renewable energy can also be used for agricultural purposes, providing social services, education, and health care.

Fuel made from bio sources like corn is now a common ingredient in automotive fuel.

Hydro electric power (electricity) is a renewable energy used everywhere the grid goes.


8

Why have many governments invested in renewable energy sources? Be able to cite at least two examples.


There are positive incentives for governments to invest in renewable energy sources.

The Overall Impact on the Planet

Most sources of renewable energy pose no noxious by-products (the main exception being the burning of biomass). As a result, there is less pollution, waste, and less of a threat concerning extremely destructive natural disasters.

The reality of global warming has also become a considerable factor with regard to the harmful effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) on the balance of the planet’s ecosystem. The less CO2, the better of our planet would be.

The Failure of its Technology More Minimized

The technology used to harness energy from renewable resources is essentially stable. As a result, insurance companies are more inclined to issue warranties for performance of panels and turbines for 20 years or more. Once these items are installed, they can be relied upon to start working straight away and not stop for years.


9

What are some of the issues facing the use of renewable energy? What are some of the advantages and potential disadvantages of moving away from fossil fuel energy sources to renewable energy?


Although renewable energy has many advantages with regard to its environmental impact, there are concerns that must be considered as well. The ability to supply energy to meet the demand may pose a problem. Providing renewable energy requires designing and building equipment that will harness and extract it once found. The entire manufacturing process must be considered as well.

The general population has grown accustomed to current resources such as oil for heating. As such, although the development of an cleaner, alternative means that present less of an environmental impact may not gain the momentum desired. Some renewable resources have not been around long and tested long enough for individuals to give up what they are comfortable with for something that may be cleaner.


10

Individually or as a group, build, not from a kit, a device to harness some form of renewable energy. These devices may include:
a. Potato clock
b. Solar or wind powered motor
c. Hydropower lift
d. Your choice


Note: Internet search engines provide tons of information when you type one of the sources of renewable power and “science experiment.” Thus for hydropower you would search for “hydropower science experiment.”


11

Brainstorm a list of at least four Biblical texts/stories that illustrate the use of renewable energy.


Wind - to move ships through the waters.


“But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.”
— Jonah 1:4 (KJV)

In Job, Satan used a wind power for evil.


“And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.”
— Job 1:19 (KJV)

Biomass - from firewood


“And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire: And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar.”
— Leviticus 1:6-8 (KJV)



“And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”
— 1 Kings 17:10-12 (KJV)



“And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.”
— 2 Kings 1:12 (KJV)



References

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