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Alternative Sources of Energy

The document discusses alternative energy sources, which are non-fossil fuel options like biodiesel, solar, and wind energy, emphasizing their environmental and socio-economic impacts. It highlights the benefits of renewable energy in reducing pollution and reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets, while also addressing the environmental consequences of various energy extraction and usage methods. Additionally, it notes the importance of considering political, economic, social, and technological costs associated with energy sources.

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7 views41 pages

Alternative Sources of Energy

The document discusses alternative energy sources, which are non-fossil fuel options like biodiesel, solar, and wind energy, emphasizing their environmental and socio-economic impacts. It highlights the benefits of renewable energy in reducing pollution and reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets, while also addressing the environmental consequences of various energy extraction and usage methods. Additionally, it notes the importance of considering political, economic, social, and technological costs associated with energy sources.

Uploaded by

usaundra.sasuke1020
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Alternative Energy Sources

Mr Phillips
Use of Alternative Energy Sources
•Alternative energy refers to any energy source
that does not involve the use of fossil fuels.
•These sources include biodiesel and other
biomass sources such as bio alcohol and
chemically stored electricity such as fuel cells.
•These technologies seek to make the most
efficient use of natural resources by using waste
products from another process in the case of
biomass or by producing as little pollution as
possible in the case of fuel cells and bio alcohol.
Examples of alternative energy
•Use of renewable energy- Caribbean states
spend less on fuels which produce less pollution
and will not be subject to volatility of market
prices.
•Using alternative technologies- those which are
more energy efficient maximises the per capita
use of fossil fuels.
•Sustainable lifestyles- Adopt measures that
reduce an individual’s or Society’s use of energy
and other natural resources
Environmental Impacts of extracting and
using energy
•The environmental impact of the extraction and
use of energy varies depending on the type of
energy and the phase of the process - in other
words whether it is during extraction,
transportation or generation of the energy.
Fossil Fuels and Natural gas
•When fossil fuels are burned they emit CO2
which is the main contributor to anthropogenic
(human -caused) global warming.
•Carbon monoxide, nitrogen and sulphur oxides,
as well as particulates and volatile organic
compounds, are produced at the same time,
leading to air pollution, including smog and acid
rain.
•Areas close to coal mines can be affected
adversely as they scar the landscape and reduce
the numbers of plant and animal species. Oil
spills can affect coastal and marine habitats, as
well as the flora and fauna.
Nuclear Energy
•Nuclear power does not contribute to climate
change. However, it does produce at least four
different types of waste that may harm the
environment including:
•spent nuclear fuel at the reactor site.
•tailings and waste rock at uranium mines and
mills
•releases of small amounts of radioactive
isotopes during reactor operation
•releases of large quantities of dangerous
radioactive materials during accidents
(Chernobyl) or as a consequence of natural
disasters (Fukushima).
Solar Energy
•Solar power has little impact on the
environment; however, there may - habitat
destruction or fragmentation to sites with large
areas of photovoltaic cells.

•These also cause visual pollution in that they


reduce aesthetic quality of the environment.
Hydropower
•Dead vegetation in the dam after flooding or due to
eutrophication will emit methane and other
greenhouse gases when bacteria decompose it.
Increased sedimentation near the reservoir can
affect turbidity, etc. Dams also impact on the river
course by, for example, causing changes in stream
flow, habitat fragmentation, river and coastal
erosion.
Biofuels
•Biofuels will pollute the atmosphere when
burned, though to lesser extent than fossil fuels
and natural gas, and they also emit carbonyls.
Geothermal Energy
•Geothermal systems can emit hydrogen
sulphide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, methane
and boron.
•They can affect both water quality and
consumption, as the hot water pumped from
underground reservoirs often contains high
levels of Sulphur, salt and other minerals.
•Land is required for extraction, transport and
generation of the energy captured. and
subsidence may also occur.
Wave, tidal and OTEC
•OTEC can release CO2 dissolved in the lower
layers of water when it is brought up to the
surface because the pressure of the seawater is
reduced.
•Wave and tidal systems produce noise pollution
from turbines. The barrages can also disrupt the
migratory paths of fish and cetaceans, such
whales, porpoises and dolphins.
Wind Energy
•Wind turbines can disturb the landscape and be
noisy, therefore causing visual and noise
pollution.
•They may affect migratory birds, who may crash
into the turbine blades, towers or transmission
lines.
•Wind farms may cause habitat fragmentation
and can alter the microclimate of the areas
immediately around them.
Socio-economic impacts of energy

•The effects of the sourcing and use of both


renewable and non-renewable energy can
impact directly on humans, Our society and
economies.
Fossil Fuels
•The particulate emissions from power plants and
the smog formed can cause respiratory diseases.
Particulate emissions and acid rain can also
affect buildings and plant and animal life.
•Oil spills can cause economic hardship to coastal
communities by affecting fishing and tourism, as
well as the ecosystem. Coal mining and oil
refineries can affect the areas where people can
live and utilise land.
Nuclear Energy
•Dislocation of communities can occur as a result
of the activities relating to the mining of
uranium, and also as a result of either natural
disasters or accidents.
Solar Energy
•Solar power has no known health risks but in an
effort to site large-scale solar projects (e.g. those
using photovoltaics and parabolic mirrors) close
to the areas where power is required, land
which may be valuable for housing or growing
crops may need to be utilised.
Hydropower
•In tropical areas, slow-moving reservoirs may be
the breeding ground for mosquitos which can
spread malaria and dengue fever, and also
snails, which are vectors for schistosomiasis.
Biomass
•Although biomass is renewable it still gives off
particulates, carbonyls and carbon dioxide,
which can cause respiratory diseases.
Geothermal Energy
•The health risks associated with geothermal
energy are minimal, provided that gases are not
vented into the atmosphere and that water
contaminated with heavy metals and toxic
chemicals is not allowed into the environment.
Wave, tidal and OTEC
•Barrages can disrupt the migratory path of fish
and cetaceans, such as whales. This can have
very negative effects on fishermen and coastal
communities that depend on sea fishing.
Wind Energy
•Noise pollution from the wind turbines can be
very stressful for people living close to wind
farms.
Cost associated with energy
•Political costs- Political policies include the cost of
energy in a country, and the kind of energy a state
may invest in.

•Economic cost- Economic issues affect the cost of


energy in a country. Consumers, as well as industries,
will choose the cheapest source of energy available,
because that cost will directly affect the cost of their
products and lifestyles.
•Social cost- Far-ranging effects on humans,
including respiratory diseases and skin ailments,
cost society for treatment and the loss of
productivity of the country if the working-age
population is affected.
•Environmental cost- Both non-renewable and
renewable energy sources have environmental
costs associated with them, which need to be
considered when deciding which energy sources
to use.
•Technological costs- The technology required to
use a form of energy effectively also needs to be
factored into energy use.
Use of Renewable energy in the Caribbean
•Wigton farm, Jamaica
•Chalillo Dam, Belize
•Diverse fuel mix, Barbados
•Geothermal Energy in Caribbean
Homework
•Write a paragraph on each of the following
examples given above

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