Chapter 13: Renewable Energy Resources

photovoltaic cell

Device that converts solar energy directly into electrical energy

hydrogen fuel cell

Device that uses hydrogen gas as a fuel to produce electricity when it reacts with oxygen gas in the atmosphere and emits harmless water vapor.

biofuel

Fuel, such as ethyl alcohol or biodiesel, made from plant material

district heating

Heat distribution system in which heat is sent to multiple buildings from a central plant that sometimes generates power as well.

decarbonization

Heat stored in soil, underground rocks, and fluids in the Earth's mantle.

geothermal energy

Heat stored in soil, underground rocks, and fluids in the Earth's mantle.

energy efficiency

Measure of how much useful work can be extracted from each unit of energy used

biomass

Organic matter produced by plants that can be burned in either solid or gaseous form to produce energy

cogeneration

Production of two useful forms of energy, such as high-temperature steam and electricity, from the same fuel source.

solar thermal system

System also known as concentrating solar power (CSP) that uses one of several different methods to collect and concentrate solar energy in order to boil water and produce steam for generating electricity.

passive solar heating system

System that absorbs and stores heat from the sun directly within a well-insulated airtight structure

active solar heating system

System that uses solar collectors to capture energy from the sun and store it as heat for space heating and water heating.

hydropower

Technology that uses the kinetic energy of flowing or falling water to produce electricity.