Introduction to Environmental Science, 2018 edition

Chapter 4: Alternative Energy

1. What is Renewable Energy?
2. Solar Energy
   1. Passive and Active Solar Energy
   2. Environmental Impacts of Solar Energy
3. Wind Power
   1. Environmental Impacts of Wind Power
4. Hydroelectric Power
   1. Storage Hydropower
   2. Pumped-Storage Hydropower
   3. Run-of-River Hydropower
   4. Environmental Impacts of Hydropower
   5. Potential of Tidal Power
5. Geothermal Energy
   1. Environmental Impacts of Geothermal Energy
6. Biomass Energy
   1. Direct Combustion of Solid Biomass
   2. Gaseous Biomass
   3. Liquid Biofuels
   4. Environmental Impacts of Biomass Energy
7. Other Renewable Energy Sources
   1. Hydrogen Fuel
      • Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
      • Challenges of Hydrogen
   2. Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
8. Policy and Conservation

By the end of this chapter students will be able to:

1. Describe arguments for alternative energy.
2. Explain the following aspects of solar energy:
   1. How passive solar energy works and provide examples of its use.
   2. How solar panels (photovoltaic cells) work.
   3. The limitations and environmental costs associated with solar energy.
3. Describe wind energy and explain its advantages and disadvantages.
4. Describe hydroelectric energy and explain its advantages and disadvantages.
5. Describe geothermal energy and explain its advantages and disadvantages.
6. Describe the following aspects of biofuels / biomass energy:
   1. Describe what is meant by the term "carbon neutral" and explain how biomass energy can and cannot be carbon neutral.
   2. Describe current achievements in biofuels and potential of this area for growth.