APES Ch.16 renewable energy vocab

Cogeneration

(CHP) two useful forms of energy ( such as steam and electricity) are produced from the same fuel source. Efficiency is 80%

Passive solar heating system

Absorbs and stores heat from the sun directly within a well insulated structure without the need for pumps or fans to distribute the heat

Solar thermal systems

Concentrates and transforms energy from the sun into high-temperature thermal energy ( heat), which can then be used directly or to heat water to produce steam to generate electricity

Hydropower

Controlling water flowing from higher to lower elevations in rivers and streams to produce electricity

Photovoltaic cells

Converts solar energy directly into electrical energy

Living roofs

Covered with soil or vegetation

Heliostats

Huge arrays of computer controlled mirrors that track and focus sunlight on this central heat collection tower