ENV 101 Chapter 16: Renewable Energy Alternatives
Document Summary
Solar energy: solar energy energy from the sun, each square meter of earth"s surface receives 17 times the energy of a lightbulb. Wind power: wind power energy from the wind, wind turbines mechanical assemblies that convert wind"s kinetic energy into electrical energy. Wind turbines convert kinetic energy to electrical energy: wind turns blades of the rotor and generator produces electricity, towers average 260 feet in height (minimizes turbulence while maximizing wind speed, wind farms group of wind turbines. European nations (2014: cape wind wind farm in massachusetts (if constructed, will have 130 turbines, 10 offshore wind developments in planning stages (2014) Wind power has many benefits: 1-megawatt wind turbine for 1 year = prevention of the release of 1500 tons of co2, Intermittent resource; no control over when it will occur: wind varies from place to place, continent-wide transmission networks need to be enhanced to send wind power"s electricity to these population centers, pose hazards to flying animals.
