Renewable

Energy-Chapter 1
By: Umema, Manal & Samra 1
Renewable energy is energy obtained from
naturally repetitive and persistent flows of
energy occurring in the local environment.

Non-renewable energy is energy obtained from

static storesof energy that remain underground
unless released by humannteraction.

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 INCIDENT SOLAR ENERGY ON THE EARTH

NUCLEAR CHEMICAL TERRESTRIAL ATMOSPHERIC DIRECT

MATERIALS PHOTOSYNTHETIC MASS ACTION RADIATION

Marine Life Terrestrial Life

Fusion Fission Plankton Plants Geothermal Precipitation

Fossilization Fossilization

Hydrogen Uranium Petrolium Carbon Wood Agro-Crops Tides Dry Hot Hydro Wind Ocean
Power Light
Forest Steam Water Thermal Energy
Thorium Medium Thermal Appls.
Natural Gas Lignite Bio-energy Waves &
PV & Concentrating SPP Osmotic

High Intensity Energy Intermedaite Intensity Diffuse & Irregular Low Intensity

Non-renewable Energy Rrenewable Energy

Energy End Use

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 Introduction
What is energy?
The ability to do work --- (Ep & Ek)
 Thermal(heat), light (radiant), mechanical,
electrical, chemical, nuclear, gravitational,
sound
 Energy is stored in different ways-(energy sources)
 Renewable (reused - can be replenished in a
short period of time; infinite)
 Non-renewable (harnessed and used, they are
not readily replaced; finite)

Note: All energy ultimately comes from the sun and the
decay of radioactive elements inside the earth
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 FUNDAMENTALS

Energy sources
There are five ultimate primary sources of useful energy:
1 The Sun.
2 The motion and gravitational potential of the Sun, Moon,
and Earth.
3 Geothermal energy from cooling, chemical reactions, and
natural radioactive decay.
4 Nuclear reactions on the Earth.
5 Chemical reactions from mineral sources.
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 Why change the way we harness energy?
Non-renewable sources
 Greenhouse gas emissions
 Environmental damages i.e.
Air and water pollution,
disruption of food chains
 Finite, limited resources
 Not extremely efficient
 Non-elastic products that
have become a necessity
Renewable
 Energy Price Stability
 Clean air
 Protecting Global Climates
 Protecting Landscapes &
watersheds
 Unlimited supply
 Jobs and Economy
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 Solar Energy And Solar Heat
 Sun’s energy falls on the Earth it warms earth’s surface; drives ocean
currents, rivers & winds.
Life on Earth depends totally on the sun.
 Solar energy can be converted to thermal energy
(uses of solar heat: Heat water & Heat spaces)

 Photovoltaic (PV devices) or “solar cells” – change sunlight directly into

electricity. Made from silicon. PV systems used in remote locations that are
not connected to the electric grid. (power watches, calculators, and lighted
road signs)

 Solar Power Plants -  indirectly generate electricity when the heat from
solar thermal collectors is used to heat a fluid which produces steam that
is used to power generator.

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 Wind Energy

• Wind turbines convert

the kinetic energy in
the wind into
The air over mechanical power
warmer areas
warms up and then • This mechanical
rises, cooler air power can be
from surroundings converted into
rushes to fill the electricity
space creating wind 8
 Water Power
• The process of
changing the
kinetic energy of
flowing water in
a river into
electrical power
that we can use
• Gravity pulls
water down, and it
turns the blades of
a turbine attached
to a generator
which creates
electricity 9
 Biomass Energy
 Defined as organic material derived
directly from plants. It is produced
through photosynthesis, (plants
convert the sun’s energy into
chemical energy.)
 This chemical energy can then be
extracted from the biomass through
combustion, to produce energy that
can be used as heat or power.
 plants, animals and their by-products
 Vegetable oil/ biodiesel

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 Geothermal Energy
• sun heats the first few feet of the ground
to a significant degree
• To extract this heat, underground piping
filled with water is used, and a pump
pushes cold water through the pipes to the
exit area
• The thermal energy absorbed from the
sun by the Earth is transferred to the cold
water and can be used to generate
electricity
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Space-based Solar Power
• On earth, the sun’s rays are not Future
consistent since it cannot always
penetrate the clouds
• Much more energy would be
generated if solar panels were
launched into space since the
Sun’s radiation is ten times more
intense

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QUICK QUESTIONS
1 Considering primary resources, what distinguishes
renewable energy from fossil and nuclear fuels (main
comparison factors)?
2 Other than price, what other factors influence the acceptance
of an energy supply?
3 What is ‘energy security’? Compare this for fossil fuels,
nuclear power, and renewable energy.
4 Compare the environmental impact (including noise and
pollution) of energy generation from fossil fuels, nuclear
power, and renewable.

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The tonne of oil equivalent (toe) is a unit of energy defined as the amount of
energy released by burning one tonne of crude oil.
1 toe = 11.63 megawatt-hour (MWh)

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 Future

• Renewable resources should become a part of our future

• It would stabilize many jobs in our economy

 Create more jobs in the science & research sector as well as the agricultural
sector

• If we adapt and utilize renewable resources we:

– Lower the consumer prices of purchasing or generating electricity from
renewable resources

– Prevent our environment and ecosystems suffering from global warming and
climate change

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