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sconzomic99

What is tidal energy - How tidal works? - Tidal energy - 0 views

  • tidal energy uses tidal strength of water and back and forth movement  in seas, rivers or oceans. Tidal power exploits kinetic energy of water that power water turbines with its movement between the wings which rotate the turbine to produce electricity.
  • For producing significant amount of energy out of tidal water turbines, range of tides should be high and substantial amount of water should be there for pushing water through the turbine.
  • It is significantly important to spot the appropriate place which provide suitable and sustainable conditions to produce tidal energy, there are plenty of places around the globe which provide good conditions for installing water turbines and then produce electricity use tidal power of oceans in the location.
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  • Once tidal power plant is built its’ electricity is free. It does not emit greenhouse gasses, carbon emission gasses which pollute environment. It does not have any dependency of any fossil fuel including furnace oil, gasses, etc; it needs no oil what so ever to produce electricity. Tidal power technology is renewable energy, which uses tidal and waves of same water for producing electricity over and over again. Tidal power technology like all renewable energy is clean energy and does not leave much impact on environment. Tidal power plants does not require much maintenance, therefore it is maintenance cost free. Tidal energy stations have about 80 % efficiency ratio, where as fossil fuel have approximately 30 % for efficiency levels. Tides in oceans are very predictable, its easy to judge when strong tides are going to show up from water consider weather and other conditions. The better tides and wave strengths of the oceans is, improved the efficiency of the station is. Electricity does not fluctuate on large scale using tidal energy as it happens in solar power technology.
  • Electricity can only be produced when tides are high in the sea, once ocean is calm and does not flow certain level of waves, it cannot produce electricity. Therefore electricity can be produced for only 10 hrs a day in presence of tides.
  • Tidal power plants are not cost effective. Millions of dollars are utilized for developing tidal power which could provide electricity in Megawatts.
  • Once tidal power plant is built its’ electricity is free. It does not emit greenhouse gasses, carbon emission gasses which pollute environment. It does not have any dependency of any fossil fuel including furnace oil, gasses, etc; it needs no oil what so ever to produce electricity. Tidal power technology is renewable energy, which uses tidal and waves of same water for producing electricity over and over again. Tidal power technology like all renewable energy is clean energy and does not leave much impact on environment. Tidal power plants does not require much maintenance, therefore it is maintenance cost free. Tidal energy stations have about 80 % efficiency ratio, where as fossil fuel have approximately 30 % for efficiency levels. Tides in oceans are very predictable, its easy to judge when strong tides are going to show up from water consider weather and other conditions. The better tides and wave strengths of the oceans is, improved the efficiency of the station is. Electricity does not fluctuate on large scale using tidal energy as it happens in solar power technology.
  • not appropriate to risk £15 millions worth of money. This is the main reason why this project is yet start
logansar99

Wave Energy - 2 views

  • northwestern coasts of the United States.
  • Positive or negative impacts on marine habitat (depending on the nature of additional submerged surfaces, above-water platforms, and changes in the seafloor);
  • Toxic releases from leaks or accidental spills of liquids used in those systems with working hydraulic fluids;
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  • Conflict with other sea space users, such as commercial shipping and recreational boating;
  • Visual and noise impacts (device-specific, with considerable variability in visible freeboard height and noise generation above and below the water surface)
  • Wave power varies considerably in different parts of the world, and wave energy can't be harnessed effectively everywhere
filionmar99

Group items tagged pollution - qmstech2 | Diigo Groups - 0 views

    • filionmar99
       
      read this
  • The major challenge to using wind as a source of power is that it is intermittent and does not always blow when electricity is needed. Wind cannot be stored (although wind-generated electricity can be stored, if batteries are used), and not all winds can be harnessed to meet the timing of electricity demands. Further, good wind sites are often located in remote locations far from areas of electric power demand (such as cities).
  • Although wind power plants have relatively little impact on the environment compared to fossil fuel power plants, there is some concern over the noise produced by the rotor blades, aesthetic (visual) impacts, and birds and bats having been killed (avian/bat mortality) by flying into the rotors. Most of these problems have been resolved or greatly reduced through technological development or by properly siting wind plants.
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  • A Renewable Non-Polluting Resource Wind energy is a free, renewable resource, so no matter how much is used today, there will still be the same supply in the future. Wind energy is also a source of clean, non-polluting, electricity. Unlike conventional power plants, wind plants emit no air pollutants or greenhouse gases. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in 1990, California's wind power plants offset the emission of more than 2.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide, and 15 million pounds of other pollutants that would have otherwise been produced. It would take a forest of 90 million to 175 million trees to provide the same air quality.
dpurdy

Visual Health Effects and Wind Turbines - The Society for Wind Vigilance - 0 views

  • In addition to noise pollution wind turbines also have visual burdens.
  • The health impact of visual burdens cannot be underestimated. An epidemiology study conducted by World Health Organization determined a “bad view out of window” increased the risk for depression by 40%. The same study also demonstrated disturbance by noise and sleep disturbance by noise increased the risk of depression 40%, and 100% respectively.
  • Wind turbines produce noise and visual burdens.
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  • Scientific research confirms visuals impacts can adversely affect human health.
  • Wind turbine shadow flicker has the potential to induce photosensitive epilepsy seizures however the risk is low with large modern models and if proper planning is adhered to.
  • Wind turbine shadow flicker induced adverse human health effects include annoyance and/or stress.
dpurdy

Wind Energy Basics - 1 views

  • The major challenge to using wind as a source of power is that it is intermittent and does not always blow when electricity is needed. Wind cannot be stored (although wind-generated electricity can be stored, if batteries are used), and not all winds can be harnessed to meet the timing of electricity demands. Further, good wind sites are often located in remote locations far from areas of electric power demand (such as cities).
  • Although wind power plants have relatively little impact on the environment compared to fossil fuel power plants, there is some concern over the noise produced by the rotor blades, aesthetic (visual) impacts, and birds and bats having been killed (avian/bat mortality) by flying into the rotors. Most of these problems have been resolved or greatly reduced through technological development or by properly siting wind plants.
  • A Renewable Non-Polluting Resource Wind energy is a free, renewable resource, so no matter how much is used today, there will still be the same supply in the future. Wind energy is also a source of clean, non-polluting, electricity. Unlike conventional power plants, wind plants emit no air pollutants or greenhouse gases. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in 1990, California's wind power plants offset the emission of more than 2.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide, and 15 million pounds of other pollutants that would have otherwise been produced. It would take a forest of 90 million to 175 million trees to provide the same air quality.
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  • Cost Issues Even though the cost of wind power has decreased dramatically in the past 10 years, the technology requires a higher initial investment than fossil-fueled generators. Roughly 80% of the cost is the machinery, with the balance being site preparation and installation. If wind generating systems are compared with fossil-fueled systems on a "life-cycle" cost basis (counting fuel and operating expenses for the life of the generator), however, wind costs are much more competitive with other generating technologies because there is no fuel to purchase and minimal operating expenses.
    • dpurdy
       
      Good point for how we will need to change in future! To get more wind energy.
  • Wind energy is very abundant in many parts of the United States. Wind resources are characterized by wind-power density classes, ranging from class 1 (the lowest) to class 7 (the highest). Good wind resources (e.g., class 3 and above, which have an average annual wind speed of at least 13 miles per hour) are found in many locations
  • Wind speed is a critical feature of wind resources,
  • In other words, a stronger wind means a lot more power.
  • Horizontal turbine components include: blade or rotor, which converts the energy in the wind to rotational shaft energy; a drive train, usually including a gearbox and a generator; a tower that supports the rotor and drive train; and other equipment, including controls, electrical cables, ground support equipment, and interconnection equipment. Wind turbine diagram - click for enlarged image.
  • Wind is a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth's surface, and rotation of the earth. Wind flow patterns are modified by the earth's terrain, bodies of water, and vegetative cover.
  • How Wind Power Is Generated The terms "wind energy" or "wind power" describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power.
pondalb98

Wind Energy Basics - 5 views

  • Wind is a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth's surface, and rotation of the earth. Wind flow patterns are modified by the earth's terrain, bodies of water, and vegetative cover. This wind flow, or motion energy, when "harvested" by modern wind turbines, can be used to generate electricity.
  • The terms "wind energy" or "wind power" describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity
  • The terms "wind energy" or "wind power" describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power
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  • Wind turbines, like aircraft propeller blades, turn in the moving air and power an electric generator that supplies an electric current
  • Modern wind turbines fall into two basic groups; the horizontal-axis variety, like the traditional farm windmills used for pumping water, and the vertical-axis design, like the eggbeater-style Darrieus model
  • wind farm, and generate bulk electrical power
  • Utility-scale turbines range in size from 50 to 750 kilowatts. Single small turbines, below 50 kilowatts
  • Wind energy is very abundant in many parts of the United States. Wind resources are characterized by wind-power density classes, ranging from class 1 (the lowest) to class 7 (the highest). Good wind resources (e.g., class 3 and above, which have an average annual wind speed of at least 13 miles per hour) are found in many locations (see United States Wind Energy Resource Map)
  • free, renewable resource, so no matter how much is used today, there will still be the same supply in the future
  • clean, non-polluting, electricity. Unlike conventional power plants, wind plants emit no air pollutants or greenhouse gases
  • higher initial investment than fossil-fueled generators. Roughly 80% of the cost is the machinery, with the balance being site preparation and installation.
  • Although wind power plants have relatively little impact on the environment compared to fossil fuel power plants, there is some concern over the noise produced by the rotor blades, aesthetic (visual) impacts, and birds and bats having been killed (avian/bat mortality) by flying into the rotors. Most of these problems have been resolved or greatly reduced through technological development or by properly siting wind plants
  • remote locations far from areas of electric power demand (such as cities)
  • alternative uses may be more highly valued than electricity generation. However, wind turbines can be located on land that is also used for grazing or even farming
  • Wind is a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth's surface, and rotation of the earth. Wind flow patterns are modified by the earth's terrain, bodies of water, and vegetative cover. This wind flow, or motion energy, when "harvested" by modern wind turbines, can be used to generate electricity.
  • The terms "wind energy" or "wind power" describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity to power homes, businesses, schools, and the like.
  • Wind turbines, like aircraft propeller blades, turn in the moving air and power an electric generator that supplies an electric current. Simply stated, a wind turbine is the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make electricity. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity.
  • Modern wind turbines fall into two basic groups; the horizontal-axis variety, like the traditional farm windmills used for pumping water, and the vertical-axis design, like the eggbeater-style Darrieus model, named after its French inventor. Most large modern wind turbines are horizontal-axis turbines.
  • Wind is a form of solar energy
  • The terms "wind energy" or "wind power
  • describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity.
  • Wind turbines, like aircraft propeller blades, turn in the moving air and power an electric generator that supplies an electric current. Simply stated, a wind turbine is the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make electricity. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity.
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    "Wind is a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth's surface, and rotation of the earth. Wind flow patterns are modified by the earth's terrain, bodies of water, and vegetative cover. This wind flow, or motion energy, when "harvested" by modern wind turbines, can be used to generate electricity."
  •  
    "Modern wind turbines fall into two basic groups; the horizontal-axis variety, like the traditional farm windmills used for pumping water, and the vertical-axis design, like the eggbeater-style Darrieus model, named after its French inventor. Most large modern wind turbines are horizontal-axis turbines."
dpurdy

The Hidden Cost of Fossil Fuels | Union of Concerned Scientists - 2 views

  • Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—are America's primary source of energy, accounting for 85 percent of current US fuel use.
  • Many of the environmental problems our country faces today result from our fossil fuel dependence. These impacts include global warming, air quality deterioration, oil spills, and acid rain.
  • Over the last 150 years, burning fossil fuels has resulted in more than a 25 percent increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.
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  • limate scientists predict that if carbon dioxide levels continue to increase, the planet will become warmer in the next century.
  • Several important pollutants are produced by fossil fuel combustion: carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and hydrocarbons. In addition, total suspended particulates contribute to air pollution, and nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons can combine in the atmosphere to form tropospheric ozone, the major constituent of smog.
  • Finally, fossil fuel use also produces particulates, including dust, soot, smoke, and other suspended matter, which are respiratory irritants.
  • Oil spills, for example, leave waterways and their surrounding shores uninhabitable for some time.
  • Production, transportation, and use of oil can cause water pollution.
  • Sulfur oxides are produced by the oxidization of the available sulfur in a fuel. Utilities that use coal to generate electricity produce two-thirds of the nation's sulfur dioxide emissions. Nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are important constituents of acid rain
  • Hydrocarbons are emitted from human-made sources such as auto and truck exhaust, evaporation of gasoline and solvents, and petroleum refining.
  • Two oxides of nitrogen--nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide--are formed in combustion. Nitrogen oxides appear as yellowish-brown clouds over many city skylines
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    The article we read in class. Use the summary we wrote or refer to this.
dpurdy

Wind Program: Advantages and Challenges of Wind Energy - 1 views

  • Challenges Wind power must compete with conventional generation sources on a cost basis. Depending on how energetic a wind site is, the wind farm may or may not be cost competitive. Even though the cost of wind power has decreased dramatically in the past 10 years, the technology requires a higher initial investment than fossil-fueled generators. Good wind sites are often located in remote locations, far from cities where the electricity is needed. Transmission lines must be built to bring the electricity from the wind farm to the city. Wind resource development may compete with other uses for the land and those alternative uses may be more highly valued than electricity generation. Although wind power plants have relatively little impact on the environment compared to other conventional power plants, there is some concern over the noise produced by the rotor blades, aesthetic (visual) impacts, and sometimes birds have been killed by flying into the rotors. Most of these problems have been resolved or greatly reduced through technological development or by properly siting wind plants.
  •  
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dpurdy

Geothermal Energy Construction: Resource Requirements and Impact Sources - 0 views

  • The construction phase involves the construction of the geothermal field(s), infrastructure, power plants, and transmission lines.
dpurdy

EnergyBC: Tidal Power - 2 views

  • his is somewhat balanced out by long plant lives of 100 years for the actual barrage structure, and 40 for the equipment, as well as low operating costs.
  • An estimate is given by researcher Eleanor Denny. Denny estimates that in order for a facility to be profitable, its capital cost should be less than €530,000 (~$700,000 USD) per MegaWatt which with the current technology is not a realistic goal, meaning that so far the industry produces negative net benefits.50
  • Canada's Race Rocks site, where a single turbine generator converts 65 kW of energy, cost $4,000,000.54 This figure was met with $3,000,000 investment from project partner EnCana's Environmental Innovation Fund, and a grant of just under $1 million awarded to Pearson College and their partners in the project.
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  • This plant produces about 100 times the power generated at Race Rocks. An investment of around €8.5 million ($11 million USD) made SeaGen a reality.
  • The environmental impacts of tidal barrage include hampered fish migration, forced water level changes on the basin behind the barrage, reduced salinity in the basin due to low quantities of ocean water, and reduced ability of currents to transport and suspend sediments
  • sustainable energy resources produce limited amounts of carbon dioxide emissions
  • , they are, by nature, reliant on the natural environment and therefore are vulnerable to the effects of climate change
  • Brief History of Tidal Power The energy stored in tides been known to people for many centuries. The earliest records of tidal mills are dated back to the 8th Century CE.7 The tidal mills were mainly used for grain grinding and were of similar design to the conventional water mills with the exception of the addition of a dam and reservoir. The industrial revolution increased demand for power but tidal energy never got off the ground, undercut by cheap fossil fuels and other developments which offered easier access to power generation. Existing tidal mills became as obsolescent as pre-industrial water-mills. The first large scale modern tidal electric plant started to operate in La Rance Estuary, St. Malo, France in the 1960s and has been operating ever since. In recent years the search for renewable, non-polluting energy sources and the increase in fossil fuel prices has encouraged renewed interest in tidal power.
tavarreskat99

What are the advantages and disadvantages of alternative tidal power as an energy source - 1 views

  • Advantages: Tidal energy is an alternative energy. The energy produced is clean and non polluting. There is no carbon dioxide or any other by-products released. It produces no greenhouse gases or other waste.It is a renewable energy that will help reduce our reliance on the burning of fossil fuels. There are two tides every day and they can be relied on. The energy is there for the taking.So the electricity supply is constant and efficient.Once you've built it, the energy is free because it comes from the ocean's powerIt needs no fuel.It produces electricity reliably.Not expensive to maintain.Tides are definitely predictable. There are two tides every day and they can be relied on. So the electricity supply is constant. Offshore turbines and vertical-axis turbines are not ruinously expensive to build and do not have a large environmental impact.A plant is expected to be in production for 75 to 100 yearsUses an abundant, inexpensive fuel source (water) to generate powerMay protect coastline against damage from high storm tides and provide a ready-made road bridge
  • Holding back the tide allows silt to build up on the river bed.The dams and barrages sometimes interfere with shipping. You will need to find a way to connect the electricity to the grid.Pose same threats as large dams, altering the flow of saltwater in and out of estuaries, which changes the hydrology and salinity and possibly negatively affects the marine mammals that use the estuaries as their habitatTurbidity decreases as a result of smaller volume of water being exchanged between the basin and the sea.The average salinity inside the basin decreases, also affecting the ecosystemA barrage across an estuary is very expensive to build, and affects a very wide area - the environment is changed for many miles upstream and downstream. Many birds rely on the tide uncovering the mud flats so that they can feed.There are few suitable sites for tidal barrages.Only provides power for around 10 hours each day, when the tide is actually moving in or out.
  • It only provides about 7% of the power needed for England and Wales that means that some people get their energy close to free and some pay a lot of moneyWater is not replenished, it cannot flow away so any dirt or pollution lingers around the coast much longerNeeds a very big piece of sea to be cost effectiveCannot be used inlandBarrage systems require salt resistant parts and lots of maintenanceAffects the lives of the people who rely on fishing for a means of livingLimited because the tide never speeds up or slows down, and occurs on 6 hour cycles. It is also dependent on the fetch distance. The fetch is the distance the tide rises and falls, so some beaches have a very small fetch, and others have a big fetch but hardly any have a large enough fetch to support tidal energy
behanjos99

What are geothermal energy advantages and disadvantages? - 0 views

  • Advantages: Geothermal energy cost is extremely low compared to many other energy sources. It has low pollution compared to fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source. Almost no environmental impact when using geothermal heat from nuclear decay. Geothermal heat pump systems can reduce your energy use storing heat from the summer/sun and makes use of it in the night and winter. Low maintenance systems.
  • Disadvantages: The most important disadvantage is absolutely the geological problem.  The heat source is mostly close to volcanic activity of some sort. Chemicals are byproducts of the production electricity with hot ground water. Some geothermal plants use a lot of water and it needs to go somewhere its after use. Some of the poluting chemicals in that water and steam are sulfur, mercury, hydrogen sulfide, arsenic, ammonia. Earth is a changing creature.  A drilled hole in the ground could supply thousands of homes heat and one earthquake could change that in a second.  It can also change gradually over time. Location, location, location.  That is certainly true of geothermal energy.  It cannot be transported over vast distances.  If used to heat up houses or for hot tap water it is only the quality of the pipe that delivers the water that determines how far it can go and if it will be of any use when it arrives. If the heat is used for electrical production it helps to have plants close so the energy loss is not too great. 
  • Corrosion is a big problem.  Composition of the chemicals can vary but it is always a problem.  It is among other the reason they need to heat up clean water to use and do not use it directly in to heating of houses.  In cases it has been used directly it causes pipes to corrode. In nuclear heating rock the rock cools down over few decades and hundreds of years are needed to get initial heating back.  Power stations of that sort are therefore not considered as profitable. Geothermal Heat pump systems do have high installation cost. Some areas run out of water or run low on ground water during seasonal dry spells. Less water means less heat and less energy to produce. Some drilling sites are too hot to handle.  Yea. Drillers have actually tried and tried some holes and they just can’t get the needed equipment in because the holes shoot it out like guns.   With workers running to stay alive while steel rains down on them. 
mcdermottaar99

Generate Your Own Wind Energy - 0 views

  • As with installing your own solar energy, installing wind energy will help to reduce carbon emissions, which damage the environment and will save money.
  • It's only downfall is possibly the visual impact it makes on the landscape: A tall 'small scale' generator could attract wide rebuttal from neighbours, and this is worth considering before embarking on a wind generation project. However, if you live in a remote area, which benefits from exposure to the wind, or have neighbours that are happy for you to go ahead with the project, installing wind power can be an economically viable way to capitalise on natural, renewable resources
  • A wind generator will cost in the region of £3'000 - £15'000, at about £3'000 per kilowatt.
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  • You can expect a wind generator to pay for itself in little over five years, and with conventional energy prices soaring, the dividends will increase with time.
dpurdy

Tidal stream generators - Brightside - 0 views

  • Tidal stream generators look and work like underwater wind turbines. As opposed to using the rising and falling movement of the tides, tidal stream generators take advantage of the fast moving sea currents (tidal streams), which flow when tides are moving in and out. These tidal streams cause the turbines to rotate, turning the generators which generate electricity. Tidal stream generators have the advantage of being much cheaper to build, and do not have as much of an environmental impact as a tidal barrage. The turbines turn relatively slowly, hence do not affect sea life. This is different to tidal barrages which can disrupt fish migrating up rivers from the sea.
brownale99

Green Rock Energy - Geothermal Energy - Sustainability - 0 views

  • The Benefits "Geothermal energy has the potential to generate and deliver sustainable supplies of clean, renewable base load power. Depending on the nature of the resource and the reservoir, individual production wells have the potential to generate consistent supplies of base load power for decades."
  • Geothermal energy has the potential to generate and deliver sustainable supplies of clean, renewable base load power.
  • individual production wells have the potential to generate consistent supplies of base load power for decades.
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  • Base load electricity generated from geothermal energy is clean, renewable and has minimal impact on the environment.
  • Unlike burning fossil fuels, the process emits no greenhouse gases, pollution or hazardous wastes.
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    "The Benefits "Geothermal energy has the potential to generate and deliver sustainable supplies of clean, renewable base load power. Depending on the nature of the resource and the reservoir, individual production wells have the potential to generate consistent supplies of base load power for decades.""
  •  
    main idea, supporting facts, and conclusion
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    ""Geothermal energy has the potential to generate and deliver sustainable supplies of clean, renewable base load power. Depending on the nature of the resource and the reservoir, individual production wells have the potential to generate consistent supplies of base load power for decades.""
logansar99

Ocean Energy - 0 views

  • The visual impact of a wave energy conversion facility depends on the type of device as well as its distance from shore
jack wells

Wind farms can cause climate change, finds new study - Telegraph - 0 views

  • Wind farms can cause climate change, according to new research, that shows for the first time the new technology is already pushing up temperatures.
  • Usually at night the air closer to the ground becomes colder when the sun goes down and the earth cools. But on huge wind farms the motion of the turbines mixes the air higher in the atmosphere that is warmer, pushing up the overall temperature.
    • dpurdy
       
      What this means is that close to the wind farm there is a local warming, not a global impact.
dynesbri97

Wind - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - 0 views

shared by dynesbri97 on 13 Mar 12 - Cached
  • Wind is the flow of gases on a large scale. On Earth, wind consists of the bulk movement of air. In outer space, solar wind is the movement of gases or charged particles from the sun through space, while planetary wind is the outgassing of light chemical elements from a planet's atmosphere into space. Winds are commonly classified by their spatial scale, their speed, the types of forces that cause them, the regions in which they occur, and their effect. The strongest observed winds on a planet in our solar system occur on Neptune and Saturn.
  • Winds can shape landforms, via a variety of aeolian processes such as the formation of fertile soils, such as loess, and by erosion. Dust from large deserts can be moved great distances from its source region by the prevailing winds; winds that are accelerated by rough topography and associated with dust outbreaks have been assigned regional names in various parts of the world because of their significant effects on those regions. Wind affects the spread of wildfires. Winds disperse seeds from various plants, enabling the survival and dispersal of those plant species, as well as flying insect populations. When combined with cold temperatures, wind has a negative impact on livestock. Wind affects animals' food stores, as well as their hunting and defensive strategies.
  • Wind is caused by differences in pressure. When a difference in pressure exists, the air is accelerated from higher to lower pressure. On a rotating planet, the air will be deflected by the Coriolis effect, except exactly on the equator. Globally, the two major driving factors of large-scale winds (the atmospheric circulation) are the differential heating between the equator and the poles (difference in absorption of solar energy leading to buoyancy forces) and the rotation of the planet. Outside the tropics and aloft from frictional effects of the surface, the large-scale winds tend to approach geostrophic balance. Near the Earth's surface, friction causes the wind to be slower than it would be otherwise. Surface friction also causes winds to blow more inward into low pressure areas.
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  • [hide]General wind classifications Tropical cyclone classifications (all winds are 10-minute averages) Beaufort scale[17] 10-minute sustained winds (knots) General term[20] N Indian Ocean IMD SW Indian Ocean MF Australian region South Pacific BoM, BMKG, FMS, MSNZ NW Pacific JMA NW Pacific JTWC NE Pacific & N Atlantic NHC & CPHC 0 <1 Calm Low Pressure Area Tropical disturbance Tropical low Tropical Depression Tropical depression Tropical depression Tropical depression 1 1–3 Light air 2 4–6 Light breeze 3 7–10 Gentle breeze 4 11–16 Moderate breeze 5 17–21 Fresh breeze Depression 6 22–27 Strong breeze 7 28–29 Moderate gale Deep depression Tropical depression 30–33 8 34–40 Fresh gale Cyclonic storm Moderate tropical storm Tropical cyclone (1) Tropical storm Tropical storm Tropical storm 9 41–47 Strong gale 10 48–55 Whole gale Severe cyclonic storm Severe tropical storm Tropical cyclone (2) Severe tropical storm 11 56–63 Storm 12 64–72 Hurricane Very severe cyclonic storm Tropical cyclone Severe tropical cyclone (3) Typhoon Typhoon Hurricane (1) 13 73–85 Hurricane (2) 14 86–89 Severe tropical cyclone (4) Major hurricane (3) 15 90–99 Intense tropical cyclone 16 100–106 Major hurricane (4) 17 107–114 Severe tropical cyclone (5) 115–119 Very intense tropical cyclone Super typhoon >120 Super cyclonic storm Major hurricane (5)
shannonlan97

Disadvantages of Wind Energy - Don't Get Blown Away by All The Positives of Wind - 2 views

  • 3.Wind Turbines Interfere with Television Reception.
  • Some of these blades can have a span of 100 or more feet.
  • birds easily fly into the blade path and get killed.
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  • get about a hundred of these "bad boys" cranking out a few hundred RPM's and you might have the sound of an alien attack.
  • If you do live along the coast, your personal property is rather expensive and you might not be able to afford the opportunity to afford the land, let alone a wind generator.
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