4.08 Nova Energy Lab Part 1

~80%

~100%

~50%

They are being used faster than they are being created.

They are the only energy source available.

They release large amounts of carbon dioxide that affect climate.

Stopping all energy use immediately

Relying solely on current fossil fuel reserves

Developing alternative energy sources and innovative technologies

Kinetic

Potential

Chemical

Gravitational, elastic, and sound

Thermal, mechanical, and electrical

Nuclear, radiant, and chemical

It converts electrical energy into motion.

Its spinning causes electrons to be pushed through wires.

It stores chemical energy for later use.

From decaying prehistoric plants and animals buried underground

From the gradual cooling of Earth's crust

From volcanic eruptions over millions of years

Energy produced only from the Sun's light

Energy so plentiful it is effectively limitless for humankind

Energy that can be recycled after use

Solar

Tidal

Hydroelectric

Kinetic energy of flowing air and water and the chemical energy of plants

Gravitational forces between the Sun and Earth

Earth's core thermal energy

Geothermal and tidal energy

Nuclear and hydrogen

Coal and oil

Greenhouse gas emissions

Sunlight availability

Cost, efficiency, and storage issues

The blade tips

The generator inside the turbine

The tower foundation

Wind does not always blow in the same place or time

Wind turbines emit large amounts of greenhouse gases

Wind turbines cannot be connected to grids

It is dangerous to put wind farms too close to cities

There are very few sites with enough wind to move the turbine blades

Windy sites are often far from cities where demand is highest

They cost nothing to build or operate

They are very expensive to build and operate

They are relatively cheap to operate but expensive to build

Making the turbine blades larger

Finding better ways to store the electricity it generates

Eliminating transmission lines

The greenhouse effect in the atmosphere

Heat from the Earth's interior warming underground water

Heat from the sun stored at the surface

Steam/vapor

Hot water

Magma

High emissions and fossil fuel use

Inexpensive and easy to access

Low emissions and minimal environmental impact

Byproducts are re-injected underground; minerals can be removed and sold

Byproducts are processed into fuel; organic matter is composted and sold

Byproducts are dumped in oceans; radioactive materials are extracted and sold

Inorganic materials like plastics

Organic materials such as plants, trees, and algae

Fossil fuels like coal and oil

They can be made from synthetic chemicals

They can be made from extracted minerals

They can be made from leftovers or waste products.

By banning conventional fuels and converting existing systems to biofuels

By developing sustainable biomass resources and more effective enzymes, organisms, and catalysts

By placing high taxes on fossil fuels

Easily converted to fossil fuels

Stored directly in the power grid

Lost if not captured or stored by other means

Storing electricity as chemical energy inside giant batteries

Storing electricity as thermal energy in molten metals

Converting electricity into gravitational potential energy by pumping water up hills

Because storage would let excess renewable electricity be used during high demand

Because storage would allow renewables to produce nonstop

Because storage makes fossil fuels more efficient than renewables

Power plants will stop producing energy.

Blackouts could become a regular occurrence.

People will stop wanting to use electricity.

By placing sensors and controls so operators learn about problems immediately.

By re-routing electricity around problem areas automatically.

By increasing the number of power plants and power lines.

Charging customers a flat fee for all electricity regardless of demand.

Increasing overall energy production regardless of demand.

Allowing better control of when and where electricity is used to balance demand.