Researching Energy Alternatives
Read the Renewable
Energy Fact Sheet.
You have been assigned an energy resource to investigate. The
following questions should be answered in your presentation:
- What is energy?
- What is the difference between renewable and nonrenewable
energy resources?
- What is the future of your assigned energy source?
- Questions for each energy resource:
Natural Gas:
- Are there untapped supplies of natural gas in the United
States?
- How much gas is there left to recover in the world?
- What is one major drawback of natural gas?
Solar:
- What is a typical design for the type of solar heater that
is used to heat a home?
- What are the drawbacks of solar powered systems?
- What area of the United States would solar energy be practical?
- What are photovoltaic cells?
Hydroelectric:
- Are there many rivers still available that have hydroelectric
possibilities?
- Does the building of a hydroelectric dam have any negative
effects on the environment?
- How can oceans be used to generate electricity?
- How fully can our energy needs be met by hydroelectricity?
Biomass:
- What are the advantages of using biomass to generate electricity?
- How would a power plant using biomass work?
Wind:
- Where are wind-powered generators most feasible?
- What drawbacks do wind powered generators have?
- Where are wind turbines used now?
Nuclear:
- How do nuclear reactors work?
- How risky is nuclear power, really?
- How is nuclear waste disposed of?
- What are the pros and cons of using nuclear power?
Geothermal:
- What causes geothermal energy?
- How can geothermal energy be used to generate electricity?
- What areas of the world use geothermal energy?
Resources: