Alternative Energy Table

Name: lexy Alternative Energy Table Use your resources to fill out the table below! Rubric: All cells filled out: 25 pts At least 2 COMPLETE SENTENCES per cell (The COST cell only needs one sentence): 50 pts Effort: 25 pts Copy and pasting or other forms of plagiarism will result in a point deduction regardless of the rubric above. Please use your own words. You are encouraged to use google or other resources. Alternatives to Gasoline Electric/Hybrid Methane Fuel Cell Ethanol What is it? Electric cars run on batteries instead of gas, and hybrids use both gas and electric power to run. They’re made up to be more fuel efficient Meathane is a type of gas that can be used to fuel special cars with the right equipment A fuel cell car uses hydrogen to make electricity that powers the car. it's almost like an electrical car, but it makes its own power Ethanol is a type of alcohol made from crops like corn or sugar. its mixed with gasoline to help fuel cars in a more eco-friendly way. How does it work? You change electric cars like you do a phone. Hybrids switch between the gas engine and electric motor depending on speed and driving conditions The gas is stored in tanks and burned in the engine just like gasoline. It makes the car run while releasing fewer harmful gases. Hydrogen mixes with oxygen in a fuel cell to create electricity and water. The electricity then powers the motor, and the only smoke is the water vapor. It works in regular engines when blended with gas. Some cars can run on higher ethanol mixes, like E85, which is mostly ethanol. Cost? Usually more expensive at first but its cheaper to run Often cheaper than gas Its pretty expensive right now Slightly less than regular gas Negatives Charging stations There aren’t many aren’t everywhere yet places to fill up and it so you cant charge it if also pollutes a little. there isnt anywhere to charge it, and replacing the battery can be pricey Positives They’re better for the environment and dont need as much maintenance as gas cars. Hydrogen is hard to find and making it uses a lot of energy. Its cleaner than regular It doesnt pollute and gas and you could save can go farther than money over time. many electric cars. It doesnt burn as well as gas and can use up land that could possibly grow food. Its renewable and its made from plants, so it overall better for the planet. Alternatives to Coal What is it? Wind Nuclear Geothermal Hydroelectric Solar Wind energy comes from spinning turbines when the wind blows. The spinning makes electricity without using fuel Nuclear power is made by splitting atoms in a reactor to release a ton of energy. It creates heat that turns water into steam to spins turbines. Geothermal energy comes from heat deep underground. That heat can turn water into steam, which spins turbines to make electricity. Hydroelectric power comes from water flowing through a dam. The moving water spins turbines that generates electricity. So,ar energy comes from sunlight. Solar pane;s capture that light and turn it into electricity using special materials called photovoltaic cells. Where is it used? Wind farms are usually built in flat, open spaces or out in the ocean where there’s lots of wind, like in texas or northern europe. Cost? Its used a lot in countries like the US and France. Most nuclear plants are near cities where lots of energy is needed. It works best in places with volcanoes or hot springs, like iceland, some parts of california, and new Zealand. You’ll find it in places with big rivers or lakes, like Canada or Brazil. The Hoover Dam in the US is an example. Solar power is used on rooftops, in big solar farms, and in sunny places like Arizona, Spain, or Australia. Cost a bit but it Its pretty gets cheaper expensive, nuclear energy has a total generating cost of approximately $ 31.76 per megawatt- hour ( MWh) in the us but in the us, the capital cost for new nuclear plants can range from $8,765 to $14,400 per kilowatt. This is also pretty expensive the cost of it ranges around $15,000 to $45,000 It really depends on It gets cheaper the size of the every year. project but it can range to 2-4 cents Negatives The wind doesnt always bloe, and the turbines can bother birds and nearby homes. Accidents can be really dangerous, and the waste stays radioactive for a long time. Only works well in some locations, and drilling into the earth can affect nature. Dams can hurt fish, flood land, and mess with natural water flow. It only works when the suns out, an storing the power for the nightime is really tricky. Positives Its clean, renewable, and doesnt create air pollution. It makes a lot of power and doesnt pollute the air like fossil fuels Its always available and doesnt create much pollution It makes a lot of clean energy and can be controlled to match how much power people need. Its super clean, easy to install almost anywhere, and the sun is free and unlimited