Wind Turbines
A wind turbine converts kinetic energy (wind) into mechanical and electrical energy. The propellers rotate in the wind causing the shaft and rotor to turn which spins a generator to create electricity.
Solar Panels
Solar panels are used to convert energy from the sun into electrical energy. The radiation rays beam down upon the panels, electrons flow in and out of conductive coating materials within the structure. The electrical production process happens in the middle layers:
In 2011, the International Energy Agency said that "the development of affordable, inexhaustible and clean solar energy technologies will have huge longer-term benefits. It will increase countries’ energy security through reliance on an indigenous, inexhaustible and mostly import-independent resource, enhance sustainability, reduce pollution, lower the costs of mitigating climate change, and keep fossil fuels prices lower than otherwise. These advantages are global. Hence the additional costs of the incentives for early deployment should be considered learning investments; they must be wisely spent and need to be widely shared".
In 2011, the International Energy Agency said that "the development of affordable, inexhaustible and clean solar energy technologies will have huge longer-term benefits. It will increase countries’ energy security through reliance on an indigenous, inexhaustible and mostly import-independent resource, enhance sustainability, reduce pollution, lower the costs of mitigating climate change, and keep fossil fuels prices lower than otherwise. These advantages are global. Hence the additional costs of the incentives for early deployment should be considered learning investments; they must be wisely spent and need to be widely shared".
Hyrdo Power
Hydroelectricity is the production of electricity generated by hydropower. Large structures called dams are created, built on large rivers that have a large drop in elevation so the water is in motion. The water sits in a large reservoir before flowing inside the dam, where a turbine propeller is turned due to the moving water, converting the flowing water into mechanical energy. A generator converts the mechanical energy into electricity. Power lines are connected to the generator carrying out electricity to homes, whilst the outgoing water continues to flow down the river.
The downsides of using hydropower is interrupting the river flow and harming local ecosystems. A hydroelectric complex produces no direct waste has a low output level of carbon dioxide.
The diagram below shows a typical hydroelectric dam.
The downsides of using hydropower is interrupting the river flow and harming local ecosystems. A hydroelectric complex produces no direct waste has a low output level of carbon dioxide.
The diagram below shows a typical hydroelectric dam.