Ch. 18 vocab

Fuel cell

a device that converts hydrogen or another fuel into electricity

Photovoltaic cell

a device that converts solar energy directly into electricity

Wind Turbine

a device that converts the wind's kinetic energy into electrical energy

Flat plate solar collector

a metal box that absorbs the sun's energy to heat water or air

Ground-source heat pump

a network of pipes that circulates water from the ground (for heating) and back into the ground (for cooling)

Wind farm

a power plant that uses wind turbines to generate electricity

Electrolysis

a process that releases hydrogen by using an electric current to break down water molecules

Concentrating solar power

a technology that uses the heat of the sun to generate electricity; mirrors focus the sun's energy, which is used to heat the water that fuels electric power plants

Geothermal energy

a type of renewable energy that is generated deep within the earth; produced by the breakdown of radioactive elements and high pressure together

Biopower

electricity generated by the combustion of organic materials

Hydro power

electricity generated from the energy of moving water

Tidal energy

electricity generated from the movement of the tides

Biofuel

fuel from organic sources

Biomass energy

the energy produced from organic materials (e.g., plants and human wastes)

Ocean thermal energy conversion

the process of changing the solar energy stored in the ocean to electric power

Active solar heating

the use of technology to collect, store, and distribute the sun's energy

Passive solar heating

using the design of a building (versus technology) to collect, store, and distribute the sun's energy