2 percent of U.S. generation and 76 percent of renewable generation in 2000. Hydroelectricity is derived by directing, harnessing, or channelling moving water. The amount of available energy in moving water is determined by its flow or fall. Swiftly flowing water in a big river, like the Columbia River, carries a great deal of energy in its flow. So, too, with water descending rapidly from a very high point, like Niagara Falls. In either instance, the water flows through a pipe, or penstock, then pushes against and turns blades in a turbine to spin a generator to produce electricity. In a run-of-the-river system, the force of the current applies the needed pressure, while in a storage system, water is accumulated in reservoirs created by dams, then released when the demand for electricity is high. Unlike the non-renewable fuels used to generate electricity, it is almost free, there are no waste products, and hydropower does not pollute the water or the air. However, it is criticised because it does change the environment by affecting natural habitats. For instance, in some rivers, salmon must swim upstream to their spawning grounds to reproduce, but the dams gets in their way. Different approaches to fixing this problem have been used, including the construction of "fish ladders" which help the salmon "step up" the dam to the spawning grounds upstream. Towns must relocate as well, in order to accommodate the dam buildings. .
In addition to solar power and hydro power, wind power is another popular and viable renewable energy technology. Wind turbines are the mechanical devices used to harness the energy from the wind. Like solar modules, they are reliable, produce no pollution, and have minimal operating costs. Large scale wind farms are fast becoming cost competitive with conventional power sources. In many cases, wind energy is an ideal power solution. Wind speed and variability directly affect output, and adequate wind speed on an annual basis will ensure good power production.
Energy is a vital part of life. Energy is so important that it makes me think what is the future for energy. ... Wind power and solar energy are two ancient energy sources that have benefited from developments in modern technology. Wind energy is a widely available resource. ... The sun is another means by which we can attain energy. ...
There are two types of energy, Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy. Potential energy is the capacity to do work. Kinetic energy is the total amount of work that is done. ... The producers then use this energy as a form of food. ... ATP is an energy carrier; it transfers some energy to metabolic workers and is formed by aerobic respiration. ...
Energy Supply and Demand Energy supply is the total amount of usable energy available to people for doing work. ... Heat energy is the most commonly used form of energy. Energy may be obtained directly from an energy source, as when people burn wood to produce heat. ... The rapid growth of energy use endangers the world's supply of energy. ... Conserving energy and using it wisely will also make the energy supply last longer. ...
In order for our bodies to gain energy we must digest foods to fuel our bodies. That energy comes from foods and drinks that we consume everyday. ... The law of conservation of energy states that energy is neither created nor destroyed, in order for that to be true for example in eating we wonder where the energy goes. ... The energy that is not used is excreted not destroyed. ... We all use some source of energy and we wonder what happens to it and by the wonders of modern chemistry we can understand apply the law of conservation of energy. ...
Senior Project: How to build an energy efficient house Technology advances on a daily basis. To make these advances the technology needs to be fueled by a form of energy. ... Homes are one of the largest energy consuming units known today. ... Energy prices have been so erratic over the past few years" people are always looking to save money when it comes to energy. I have researched energy efficiency and now I will explain what I have discovered and what I would use to build my energy efficient house. ...
Conservation of Energy Objective: The objective is to find the spring constant, and to find the potential energy of the system. ... The data indicated for the mechanical energy is conserved for this system. ... Another purpose of the lab was to study the effect of conservation of energy. ... Equations for both gravitational and spring potential energy were used. The low percent error between the two values proves that the energy is conserved. ...
The third type is the more efficient use of energy; adjusting to higher energy costs. ... Increased energy efficiency helps the world energy balance and productive conservation is no less an energy alternative than the energy sources. ... Low energy prices make it difficult to convince people to invest in energy efficiency. ... High-energy prices in the 1970s started efficient energy use in constructing buildings and houses. ... Energy is the basis of industrial civilization; without energy, modern life would cease to exist....
It is the energy created in this reaction that powers the car. ... Geothermal energy is a huge source of energy that is clean and reliable. ... Flowing water has a lot of energy. People over the years have developed ways to harness the kinetic energy and convert it into mechanical energy, then electrical energy. The most common way to harness the energy is by use of a dam. ...
