Alternative Energies :D
Alternative Energies: By Emma Kay and Priscila!
Introduction to Solar Energy
Advantages of Solar Energy
- Solar energy is infinite, and comes from the sun. (We all know the sun NEVER loses energy!
- You only have to clean Solar Panels about every 12 months. (Only a year!)
- You can build AMAZING things out of solar energy. Build it on top of your house to store energy? Check. Build a car out of it? Check. Build a plane out of it? Check! It can also be used to heat water, buildings, swimming pools, and make calculators work!
- It is a renewable energy source.
Disadvantages of Solar energy
- It can only be used for Sunny Environments. Sorry Canada!
- The sun doesn't shine all the time. (BUT- Solar Panels do store the energy, just like plants!)
- Different Birds and Insects can die by flying into the solar panels.
What Solar Panels Look Like
Where You Can Put Solar Panels
The Sun Is What Solar Energy Is Made Of
Additional Facts
Why Do We think that this is the best alternative energy source for justin, texas?
- I'm sure that most people know that Texas is super sunny (Maybe except during winter!) Which is what Solar Energy is all about!
Geothermal Energy
Introduction
As we all know Geothermal energy is a alternative energy source that's referred to Earth's Natural Heat. This word comes from Geo being a Greek word for Earth and Thermal is another word for Heat. When you put those two together, it forms the word Geothermal! Here are a few reasons why you could use this energy source.
Lets learn some more about this energy!
A Geothermal Geyser In Action
Volcanoes Are Geothermal Too!
Geothermal Pools
Advantages of Geothermal Energy
- It's a natural resource.
- We use it already.
- The Earth has a lot of natural heat already.
- Everyone can use it!
- It is used to heat buildings.
- It produces Clean Energy!
- Due to Geothermal Energy, we have hot water!
Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy
- It's scorching hot!
- It could kill someone if they get too close.
- It takes time to form.
- It could kill animals.
- It costs 1-4 MILLION dollars each drill!
- This resource can only be formed in places that have Earthquakes and Volcanoes (Hawaii, or California!)
- They can take hundreds of years to develop!
- You can't just BUILD a Geothermal Power Plant somewhere.
- Pollution may occur due to Improper Drilling.
- It might run dry or lose steam.
Additional facts
- Geothermal Power Plants in the Philippines and Iceland contribute around 30% of their electricity production. In the USA it is less than 1%.
- Geothermal heating applications include industrial uses, heat pumps, space heating and bathing in hot springs.
- Humans have enjoyed Geothermal Energy in the form of hot springs for thousands of years.
Wind Energy
Introduction to wind energy
Awesome! lets learn more about wind energy.
Wind Turbines
Offshore Wind Turbines
Wind Turbines Exploding!
Advantages of Wind Energy
- They're easy to find. They're just about everywhere!
- Wind farms (Huge open spaces with tons of wind turbines)
- It's an easy way to generate electricity.
- It doesn't use many blades (2-3 blades)
- It doesn't cause pollution.
- They can be used in the sea!
Disadvantages of Wind Energy
- A wind turbine can cost way too much money. (Possibly up to millions of dollars)
- If a wind turbine gives too much or little energy it could cause a blackout!
- A wind turbine can get damaged if the wind is too strong.
- Wind turbine blades are HUGE! If one went flying off, so many things could get damaged. (Buildings, Cars, People)
Additional Facts
Wind energy can power homes, buildings, and more! Windmills were used as early as 1000 BC. (Before Christ) Altamont Pass Wind Farm in California has more than 4,930 wind turbines!! (Normal wind farms can have the minimum of 5 turbines!)
Hydropower
Introduction to hydropower
Awesome! Lets learn some more about Hydropower.
A body of water
A Hydroelectric Dam
Waterfall
Advantages
- Water is a renewable energy source.
- Hydroelectric power is a domesticated source of energy, allowing each state to produce their own energy without being reliant on international fuel sources.
- You can control the water flow
- The water goes to nearby lakes/rivers
Disadvantages
- Uses a LOT of concrete to build a dam. (The Hoover Dam used 4,360,000 cubic yards!!)
- The formation of large and huge dams destroy the living beings around them.
- Manufacturing and building a dam and installation of the turbines is very costly.
- Only areas that receive a good amount of rainfall will be able to use Hydroelectricity, since it needs a big reservoir.
- Dams and rivers collect water for the production of electricity which alters the natural system of water flow thus depriving houses of the water they need.
- Making dams on rivers affect the amount, quality, and temperature of water that flow in streams which has drastic effects on agriculture and drinking water.
- The water while flowing through the dam collects nitrogen which can damage and also kill fish.
Biomass
Introduction
Awesome! Lets learn more about Biomass!
Plants
Crops
Trees
Advantages
- Biomass helps us get rid of trash in our environment.
- Biomass can also be made into gasoline.
- We often see things that can be made into Biomass.
- Biomass helps our enviorment to be cleaner.
Disadvantages
- It can be dirty (It's been proved dirty by scientists.
- The smoke emits harmful elements responsible for Global Warming.
- Could cause pollution when used.
- Requires a lot of land to be built
OUR CONCLUSION
What do WE think would benifet Justin Texas? By Priscila .M
Justin TX is a big place and a big place needs a reliable energy source. Solar energy. So after days of studying I found reasons why solar energy is the best for Justin Tx. AHEM let me present my case...
The first reason is you only have to clean a solar panel only ONCE a year (twelve months) so one less thing to care about.
The second reason is the sun has enough energy to last us a eternity so technically the suns energy wont be going anywhere anytime soon.
The third reason is the suns energy is completely free (and the sun it's self HURRAH a great deal) now if only I could say the same for solar panels.
Those are some of the reasons I think solar energy would benefit Justin Texas and make it a elated nature friendly place!!! (Written by Priscila .M).
What do we think is the WORST alternative energy source for Justin, Texas? By Emma Kay Owen
1. Geothermal energy will only happen in places with Earthquakes and Volcanoes (Like California and Hawaii.) We don't have Earthquakes and Volcanoes!
2. Compared to what we believe is the best alternative energy source (Solar Energy), it is very deadly. Geothermal Geysers are scorching, and could kill someone who gets too close. And we of course don't want that here!
3. Another way Geothermal Energy works, is it uses reservoirs, also knows as bodies of water. We have a few small lakes and streams, but that isn't necessarily enough to make Geothermal Energy.
So that's it! That's why I think that Geothermal Energy is the WORST alternative energy for Justin, Texas in 3 explanations! (Written By Emma Kay Owen!)
Credit
WEBSITES: answers.com conserve-energy-future.com Also credit to the rightful owners of ALL the photos