Alternative Energy
By:Kai
Table of Contents Introduction...........................................................................................Pg.3 What is It?.............................................................................................Pg.4 Solar Energy.........................................................................................Pg.5 Wind Power...........................................................................................Pg.6 Future Resources..................................................................................Pg.7 Glossary................................................................................................Pg.8 Cited Sources........................................................................................Pg.9 About the Author..................................................................................Pg.10 Back Cover..........................................................................................Pg.11
Introduction Have you ever wondered why there are solar panels and wind turbines? Have you thought about how much longer our fossil fuels will last? Well, you’l find out about that in this book.
What is it? What it is
Types
Alternative energy is a environmentally friendly way of renewing energy. It comes in different forms. From long ago, people have been using fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas.
Alternative energy comes in types. The most common alternative energy is solar natural gases, oil and coal types of alternative energy they are not reusable.
different type of energy, are not because
You might think “Why don’t we just use wind turbines and solar panels?” Well, it’s not that easy. Alternative energy only makes about 13% of the world’s electricity and they need a lot of space to use.
Recently, nuclear energy has been added to the list of the renewable energies. Hydro power, wind power, geothermal energy and biomass are all renewable energy.
Solar Energy How it Works A common type of alternative energy is solar energy. Solar energy is created from rays from the sun. Solar energy is created when the solar cells in solar panels trap the rays from the sun that create electricity. Solar panels are used to remove salt from water, cook food and heat water. Solar panels are used in hot areas or areas with a lot of sunlight.
Did You Know? Only about 30% of the suns rays reaches the surface of earth.
Wind Power How it Works Another was of generating electricity eco-friendly is by using wind turbines. When the wind blows, the wind spins the wings that spins the turbines that generate electricity. They are mostly used to power up small homes or factories. When a lot of wind turbines are together, it is called a wind farm.
An example of a wind farm.
The Future Cons Alternative might sound easy, but it really isn’t. Nowadays, people depend on electricity and use fossil fuels to make them. Alternative energy only makes about 16% of the world’s electricity. Solar Energy depends on the sun and on rainy or stormy days, they are useless. Only about 30% of the sun’s rays reaches earth so amounts of sunlight is already limited from the start. Solar panels can only produce limited amounts of electricity. The cannot be used for long times. They also need big space of land to operate. Wind turbines sounds like a good idea bit people complain that the look ugly and creates loud sounds. They depend on wind and with no wind it cannot create electricity. They also must built very high to catch wind. Scientists are figuring out a way of how they can create a better way of generating electricity without harming the environment.
Future Resources Humans nowadays depend on electricity. Most of our electricity comes from fossil fuels. Right now, alternative energy only makes about a tenth of the world’s electricity. without the fossil fuels, people will not be able to survive. Scientists have proved that if we continue the rate of spending fossil fuels, they will all be gone in about 60 years. Right now, alternative energy is not enough to supply energy for the whole world and it’s beings. Fortunately, scientists and engineers are working to find a better source of energy to provide for the world.
Glossary
Coal: A natural dark brown to black graphitelike material used as a fuel, formed from fossilized plants and consisting of amorphous carbon with various organic and some inorganic compounds.
Common: Belonging equally to or shared equally by two or more; joint: common interests.
Generate: To produce as a result of a chemical or physical process: generate heat.
Cited Sources Web
Images
"Alternative Energy." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 01 July 2014. Web. 08 Jan. 2014. http://lunar.thegamez.net/greenenergyimage/alternative-energysources-solar/renewable-energy-archives-environmental"Fossil Fuels." Fossil Fuels. Copyright Š commissioner-of-1127x751.jpg 1998-2014 Lenntech B.V, n.d. Web. 08 Jan. 2014. http://www.solarkinguk.com/wp-content/uploads/ 2012/03/5052486185_f4e5d3e48a_b.jpg "Types of Alternative Energy." Types of Alternative Energy. Http:// http://www.worldpropertychannel.com/news-assets/Solar-paneltypesofalternativeenergy.com, n.d. Web. 09 farm.jpg Jan. 2014. http://studentenergy.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/windBooks energy.jpg "Other FAQs." IEA. Š 2013 OECD/IEA, n.d. Web. 08 Jan. 2014. http://www.irishenvironment.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/ wind-farms1.jpg Images http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ commons/4/45/Giant_photovoltaic_array.jpg http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/773/files/2013/11/windstock.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ http://static.shoulderhigh.com.s3.amazonaws.com/ commons/5/55/ A_close_shot_of_wind_turbines_wind_farm. blog_entry_photos/Oil-Refinery-Pump-Image.jpg http://cdn6.triplepundit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Tigerjpg sunderbans.jpg http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/ 01806/earth_1806334c.jpg
About the Author Kai Nakazawa was born in 1994 Nov.3 in Tokyo, Japan. (But he still looks like a 11 year-old fifth grader who goes to Shanghai American School). He Grew up in Ohio, U.S.A. He went and graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology(M.I.T). He now lives in Maldives with his mom and dad. He got his master’s degree when he was 4. During his free time, he loves to sleep and go for short trips up and down Mount Everest.
Thank You
For Further information, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_energy