NOTE 2

ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY

Non-renewable energy sources are those that are not readily replenished and which
become less with use.

Examples are fossil fuels and nuclear fuels

Renewable energy sources are those which are readily replenished by natural processes.

Examples are solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, tidal and wind energy. Organic matter such
as wood and biomass are considered renewable if the trees and crops from which they were
obtained are replanted.

Due to the environmental problems associated with the use of fossil fuels and because of the
fact that fossil fuels are non-renewable, it is very important for us to use them efficiently and to
search for alternative sources of energy.

An alternative source of energy is one which is NOT a fossil fuel.

Most alternative source of energy:

 are renewable
 produce zero or minimum net environmental pollution
 require minimum operational costs, although initial plant costs may be high

Table 2. Various alternative sources of energy

Energy Uses
source

*Solar energy Solar energy refers to radiant light and radiant heat from the sun.
(sun) Solar energy can be used for heating water and air in our homes
Water heaters heat water directly and are relatively cheap to install.
Photovoltaic (PV) panels/ (solar panel) convert solar energy into electrical
energy.
Advantages
 Low maintenance cost
 Lower electricity bill
 Clean source of energy
 Energy can be stored in batteries
 Limitless supply of free sunshine

Disadvantages
 High start-up cost
 Poor performance on cloudy and rainy days when there is reduced
sunshine.
 Large production requires a lot of space
 Low efficiency on conversion to electricity

Solar cookers use mirrors to reflect solar radiation to a furnace pot.

Solar driers absorb radiation through a glass cover. Air below the cover is
heated and rises through the drying chamber, drawing cool unsaturated air
from below. Solar driers are used for drying meat, fish, fruits and crops
(See revision course page 212)
Solar vehicles- the roof of car has solar system that traps solar energy and
stores in a battery. This energy is converted to electrical energy.

1
 A solar drier

Biofuels These provide energy from plant or animal (organic) matter. Although they
or produce carbon dioxide when burnt, the plants from which they are formed
biomass removed if when they were alive producing a cancelling effect on the
environment.
Wood can be burnt directly to be used as fuel for cooking. Wood is renewable
source of energy if trees are replanted.
Biogas is obtained from the decay of plant and animal waste in the absence of
oxygen (fermentation). It is used for cooking or to drive generators on farms.
Disadvantages of using biogas are that it is mainly methane, a greenhouse
gas, and forested areas as well as agricultural lands and crops are used in
producing it. Fertilizer is produced as a waste product (effluent) which is used
by farmers.
Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils, animal fats/oils, or waste cooking
oils by a process known as transesterification. It produces less pollution than
petroleum diesel and recycling waste cooking oil is a notable advantage.
Gasohol is made from gasoline mixed with ethanol produced by the
fermentation of crops such as sugar cane. It is cheaper than regular gasoline,
emits less harmful gases when burnt, gives better engine performance and its
production involves jobs.

A biogas system

Tidal energy Water from the ocean can be collected at high tide and then released at low
tide to produce powerful pressures that turn the turbines of electrical
generators. Disadvantages: High costs in constructing the plant, together with
the negative impact on tourism due to the disturbance of the natural beauty of
the coast.
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Energy source Uses

*Wind energy Kinetic energy from the wind can be used to turn the turbines of electrical
generators.
(air masses Offshore wind farms obtain stronger more consistent winds than onshore
and their wind farms. They have less visual impact but are more expensive to construct
movement) and maintain.
Advantages
 Caribbean islands generally experience strong winds
 Clean source of energy
 Can be stored in batteries

Disadvantages
 High cost of constructing the plant
 Cause noise pollution and unpleasant scenery
 Wind is variable between seasons
 Vulnerable to stormy weather

Hydro- Water collected behind dams can be released form a height to turn the
electric(water) turbines of electrical generators.
energy
Advantages
 The ability to release the water as needed is a clear advantage of these
systems over the less controllable solar and wind systems.
 Clean source of energy

Disadvantages
 High cost of constructing the plant
 Disturbs the ecology of water bodies
 Danger of possible flooding

Wave energy Energy of wave motion and ocean currents can be harnessed to turn the
turbines of electrical generators near shorelines or floating far offshore.
Low operational cost and consistent wave power are offset by the high costs
in constructing the plant and the negative effect on the marine ecology.

Nuclear This is an alternative source of energy that is non-renewable.

energy Energy released from nuclear disintegration off uranium and plutonium is
used to produce steam to turn the turbines of electrical generators. A small
amount nuclear fuel produces an enormous amount of energy and greenhouse
gases are not produced in the process. However the nuclear fuel, before and
after use, is extremely dangerous, and spent nuclear fuel is difficult to dispoee
off.

Energy Uses
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source
Geothermal Uses heat from the Earth in the lower crust. It is common in volcanic islands
energy for hot water and steam from the Earth to be released in hot springs. The heat
can be used directly for industrial processes or to heat buildings

Geothermal energy plants drill and install pipes so that hot water and steam
can rise through them and can be used to turn the turbines of electrical
generators. The water is then cooled and returned to the geothermal reservoir
in the earth where it is reheated.

1. The hot water, heated by rocks in the geothermal reservoir, is pumped from
deep underground through a well under high pressure.
2. When the water reaches the surface, the pressure is dropped which causes
the water to turn into steam.
3. The steam turn the turbine, which is connected to a generator that produces
electricity.
4. The steam cools off in a cooling tower and condenses back to water
5. The cooled water is pumped back to earth to begin the process again.

Advantages

 Geothermal energy is a renewable energy resource and there are no fuel

costs
 No harmful polluting gases are produced.

Disadvantages
 Most parts of the world do not have suitable areas where geothermal
energy can be exploited.

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WIND ENERGY

5
Geothermal energ

6
 VARIABLES AFFECTING SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY
SOLAR ( sunlight)
 Latitude – the intensity of the solar energy received decreases at higher latitudes due to the
increased region of the atmosphere and planet to be warmed by solar beams of a given cross-
sectional area
Sun’s rays strike Earth’s surface most directly at the equator (Angle of sunlight entering the
atmosphere). This focuses the rays on a small area. Near the poles, the Sun’s rays strike the
surface at a slant. This spreads the rays over a wide area. The more focused the rays are, the
more energy an area receives, and the warmer it is.

Effect of latitude on solar radiation

 Altitude- High altitudes receive more solar energy because there is less air above to absorb it
 Season – the daily solar radiation received depends on the season.
 Time of day - the intensity of solar radiation is greatest when the sun appears highest in the
sky.
 Shadows – Tall buildings, mountains and hills can block the direct rays from the Sun.
 Cloud cover – block out sunlight. Clouds reduce the received solar radiation by absorbing
and scattering it.
 Small particles in the atmosphere – general atmospheric pollution from factories, or dust
and sand from quarries or sand storms, reduce the intensity of solar radiation reaching the
planet.

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WIND
 Wind speed – strong winds have more kinetic energy to turn wind turbines.
 Wind consistency – this is necessary for the continuous production of electricity
 Surface - wind speed and constituency is generally higher over the sea and over the land.
 Altitude – wind speed over land is greater at high altitudes as there is no obstruction from
obstacles.
 Hurricane-prone regions – these deter the erection of wind turbines due to the fear of
destruction.

APPRAISAL/ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IN THE

CARIBBEAN

Reasons for switching from the use of fossil fuels

 Over 90% of the energy used in the Caribbean is obtained from fossil fuels at a huge annual
cost
 Fossil fuels harm humans and the environment.
 Caribbean islands are vulnerable to flooding due to climate change as a result of excessive
use of fossil fuels.

Reasons for switching to alternative sources of energy

 Operational costs are low and the natural resources are free
 Intense and consistent solar radiation is available
 Locations with consistent and strong winds exist
 The Caribbean is ideally located to use geothermal energy since it is near to the tectonic plate
boundaries.
 Hilly landscapes provide hydro-electric potential - Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
Dominica and Suriname have hydro-electric plants. Guyana also has great potential.
 Tidal and wave energy is readily available around the islands

Problems of implementing the switch

 Opposition due to the negative impact on the landscape and ecology of the surroundings.
 Lack of adequate education in technologies and technological skills
 Large capital cost required to construct the energy plants
 Local banks are hesitant to offer loans since they lack understanding of the technologies.
 Foreign banks are hesitant to offer loans to governments due to lack of transparency and
accountability, and to local installers who have no firm credit history.
 Lack of economic incentives to stimulate the business and consumer sectors.

With improved technologies and increasing awareness of climate change, the Caribbean is
destined to be a significant producer of alternative energy as soon as it can obtain financial
backing
PAST PAPER QUESTIONS

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1. Which of the following systems uses a non-renewable source to generate electricity.
A. Geothermal plant using steam
B. Wind turbines using air movement
C. Solar panels using the sun’s radiation
D. Nuclear power plants using radioactive elements

2. Which of the following is NOT an alternative source of energy?

A. Solar
B. Wind
C. Candle
D. Waves

3. Which of the following is NOT an alternative source of energy?

A. Wind
B. Wave
C. Solar
D. Kerosene

4. Which of the following sources of energy is non-renewable?

A. Coal
B. Wind
C. Solar
D. Wave

5. Caribbean countries which use renewable sources of energy MOST likely utilize energy
from
A. coal
B. crude oil
C. natural gas
D. the sun

6. Which of the following is NOT considered an alternative source of energy?

A. Solar
B. Wind
C. Gasoline
D. Geothermal

2009 Q4
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10
2011 Q1
1. (c) Country X is a flat, tropical island. The electricity generating company in
country X uses petroleum-based fuel. Name two alternative sources of energy
that can be used for electricity generation in this country.
(i)
_____________________________________________________________
(1 mark)

(ii)
______________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
(d) For EACH of the alternative source named in (c) above, give ONE disadvantage
which may cause the electricity generating company to resist the alternative
source of energy identified.
(i)
_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
(ii)
______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
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 (1 mark)

2015 Q6

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2016

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Solar powered vehicle

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ADVANTAGES of SOLAR CARS
Eco-friendly and Quiet: Solar-powered vehicles have zero emission level, as they don’t
utilize non-renewable resources and burn fuel. The electric motors generate electricity that
doesn't emit any greenhouse gases or any other pollutants. These cars are quieter than the
vehicles powered by conventional fuels, which don't cause noise pollution as well.

Energy Availability: Solar cars derive their power from the sun, indirectly, that always shines
and provides endless energy. The efficient solar panels can produce and store more horsepower
for the vehicle.

No Fuel Costs: Unlike the conventionally fueled vehicles, solar vehicles have no fuel costs and
a low cost of maintenance.

Driving Comfort: Having aluminum and lightweight components, the solar-powered cars run
faster and more smoothly than petrol and diesel engine vehicles.

DISADVANTAGES of solar cars

Design Challenge: The solar vehicles require large surface area on roof for mounted solar
panels, have low wind resistance and space only for two passengers.
Poor Practicality: These green cars don’t have any driver safety features and other equipment
such as wiper blades, headlights and rear view mirrors. Aspects like suspension, chassis
strength, steering, brakes, secured solar panels and batteries arrangement also need to be taken
seriously.

Expensive Batteries: The efficient solar panels and batteries and their replacement are way too
expensive that need to be changed so often. This is what makes the solar vehicles a costly affair.

Energy Storage Capacity: The photovoltaic cells or solar panels can convert 15-30% of
sunlight into electricity, depends on the material used, which is quite limited.

Weather Dependent

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Solar-powered vehicles need direct sunlight, and when sunlight is not available, there will be a
slight problem.
The solar panels used to make the vehicle need direct sunlight, and when it is raining, the
efficiency of such vehicles will be lower.

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2017 Q4

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