Ch 5. Renewable Energy

Explain the salmon breeding patterns and how dams interefers with it.

Salmon are migrating fish returning from the ocean to spawn in the stream where they were hatched. When they hatch, the salmon slowly makes their way downstream towards the ocean Later they return to the river to the placed they hatch to spawn and die Salmon usually returns there years after they hatch to spawn and die Almost every river system in the West has been blocked by a dam. These dam destroys the habitats for fish spawning. For example the Columbia has less than 110km of remaining free flowing water, which is not enough to sustain salmon's growth

Why was the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE ) Standard introduced

The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations were first enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1975 as a response to 1973 Arab oil embargo and with the foal of improving fuel economy of cars and light trucks.

Give 3 examples of popular source of biomass

1. grass 2.hemp 3.corn 4.poplar 5.willow 6.sugar cane

What is the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE ) Standard in the United States

25 mpg

What are diversion (run of river) hydroelectric plant?

A diversion, sometimes called run-of-river, facility channels a portion of a river through a canal or penstock. It may not require the use of a dam.

Explain what is a hydrogen fuel cell

A hydrogen fuel cell converts hydrogen and oxygen into water and in the process produces electricity With a fuel cell, chemicals constantly flow into the cell so it never goes dead.

Explain how a dry steam power plant generates electricity

Dry steam plants use hydrothermal fluids that are primarily steam. The steam travels directly to a turbine, which drives a generator that produces electricity Dry steam power plants systems were the first type of geothermal power generation plants built

How is gasohol produced and state its disadvantage

Ethanol is created by anaerobic digestion of high sugar content plants (grain, sugar cane etc). Ethanol is mixed with gasoline ( to reduce incomplete combustion emissions) to create gasohol. A disadvantage of ethanol is its ability to augment the polluting effects of compounds like benzene. Ethanol slows the break down of benzene.

Explain what is a grid-connected system

Independent power systems joined to a regional grid that draw on the grid's reserve capacity when they need it and give electricity back during times of extra production

What is the energy star

Introduced in 1992, energy star is a voluntary labelling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products Energy star label is now on over 50 product categories Consumers using energy star products can save up to 30%

Explain what is an electricity grid

It is an electricity transmission and distribution system, usually supplying power across a wide geohraphical region

Define light trucks

Light trucks are trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

What is biomass

Biomass is any biologically based fuel source, such as wood or manure. Biomass can be grown specifically for use of fuel or other uses then reappropriated for use as fuel.

What are the two types of solar energy systems

Passive Solar Energy System Active Solar Energy System

Explain what is meant by distributed power

Power sent in small amounts, usually near the point of electrical usage

Explain how a binary cycle power plant generates electricity

transfer the heat from geothermal hot water to another liquid. The heat causes the second liquid to turn to steam, which is used to drive a generator turbine.

What are the 4 types of geothermal energy plant?

1. Dry Steam 2. Flash steam 3. Binary steam

Name possible solutions to the problem of salmon's breeding patterns and the damming of rivers

1. Fish passages and ladders have been built to bypass dams. 2. In 2010 the eggs of the Atlantic Salmon had been genetically modified by the insertion of the genes, which allows the salmon to grow all year round ( normal salmons do not grow in winter months)

What are two distinct features of a hybrid vehicle.

1. Hybrid vehicles contains smaller gasoline engines, which are supplemented as needed by electric motors. 2. When you apply the brakes in a hybrid car, the energy from braking is captured and the car's kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy that charges the battery.

What are the three types of hydroelectric power plants?

1. Impoundment 2.Diversion (run of river) 3.Pumped storage

Draw a diagram and identify two main features of a passive solar energy system

1. Refers to the use of the sun's energy for the heating and cooling of living spaces by using gravity, heat flows or evaporation rather than mechanical devices to collect and transfer energy. 2. Has little or few moving parts, requires minimal maintenance. Eg. Reflective roofing materials

Draw a diagram and identify two main features of an active solar energy system

1. Uses external sources of energy ( eg. power blowers and pumps) to collect, store and convert solar energy. 2. Solar panels absorb solar energy and pass the energy on to tubes in which water is circulating; this heated water is stored for later use. 3. Direct collection of solar energy via photovoltaic cells (PV Cells) produces energy, which is then stored in batteries.

What is the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE ) Standard

Fuel economy is expressed in miles per gallon (mgp), which set for each fleet of car.

Explain what is a hydroelectric impoundment plant

It is when the plant holds the water in the reservoir and then used the stored potential energy to drive the turbine and produce electrivity when the water is released.

What are pumped storage hydroelectric plant?

It stores energy by pumping water uphill to a reservoir at higher elevation from a second reservoir at a lower elevation. When the demand for electricity is low, a pumped storage facility stores energy by pumping water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir. During periods of high electrical demand, the water is released back to the lower reservoir and turns a turbine, generating electricity.

Identify 3 pros and 3 cons of wind energy

Pros 1. All electrical needs can be supplied by winds in North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas 2. Quickly built and can be built at sea 3.Low maintenance and can be automated 4.No pollution 5.Land around wind farm can be used for agriculture Cons 1. Steady wind is required for economical efficiency 2.Visual and noise pollution 3.Interferes with bird migration 4.Damage by tornadoes or huricane

List 3 pros and 3 cons of hydroelectric power

Pros 1. Controls flooding 2.Low operating cost/ long lifespan 3.No pollution or wastes 4. Moderate-to-high-net useful energy Cons 1.Creates large flooded areas behind dam 2.Destroys wildlife habitats 3.Prevents fish from migrating 4.Sediment that requires dredging and prevents silt from reaching farmland downstream 5.Expensive to build

Name 3 pros and 3 cons of geothermal energy

Pros 1. Moderate net-energy yield 2.Limitless and reliable resources 3.Little air pollution 4.Competitive costs, cause after drilling into the ground, the maintenance cost is low 5.Infinite source and will not diminish Cons 1.Cost of drilling wells are quite expensive and require careful drilling 2.Source can be depleted if not managed properly 3.Large amount of cooling water may be needed 4.Considered an eyesore since they are often built in national parks

Name 3 pros and 3 cons of tidal energy

Pros 1. No pollution 2.Minimal environmental impact 3.Tides are predictable 4.Moderate net-energy yield Cons 1.Construction is expensive 2.Few suitable sites 3.Equipment can be damaged by winds/storms 4.Impact on marine life 5.Can change tidal levels