Chapter 16: Renewable Energy | ENVS 1126 - INT TO ENV SCIENCES, Quizzes of Environmental Science

Download Chapter 16: Renewable Energy | ENVS 1126 - INT TO ENV SCIENCES and more Quizzes Environmental Science in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 renewable energy resources DEFINITION 1 Naturally occurring resources that are able to be replenished quickly and their supplies are inexhaustible TERM 2 Solar Energy DEFINITION 2 radiant light and heat from the sun, is harnessed using a range of ever-evolving technologies such as solar heating, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal electricity, solar architecture and artificial photosynthesis. TERM 3 solar-energy spectrum DEFINITION 3 Nuclear fusion in the Sun emits a spectrum of radiant energy that reaches Earth TERM 4 thermonuclear fusion DEFINITION 4 a way to achieve nuclear fusion by using extremely high temperatures. There are two forms: uncontrolled, in which the resulting energy is released in an uncontrolled manner, as it is in thermonuclear weapons such as the "hydrogen bomb", and controlled, where the fusion reactions take place in an environment allowing some of the resulting energy to be harnessed for constructive purposes. TERM 5 Flat-plate collector DEFINITION 5 a thin, broad box The black bottom absorbs sunlight and heats up Water in tubes absorbs the heat The glass top prevents heat loss The hot water is stored in a tank TERM 6 Active systems DEFINITION 6 in theSolar heating of water,pumps move the heated water Sunlight is converted to heat that warms air or water TERM 7 Passive systems DEFINITION 7 in theSolar heating of water,gravity and convection to move water from the collector to the tank TERM 8 Solar water heaters DEFINITION 8 In nonfreezing climates, a simple water-convection system worksbut in freezing climates, an antifreeze fluid and auxiliary heat source are used TERM 9 Solar space heating DEFINITION 9 can consist of a passive system, an active system, or a combination of bothThey are less expensive and can be homemadeOnly air circulates through the collector boxMounting collectors to allow convection to circulate the heated air increases efficiency TERM 10 Passive hot-air solar heating DEFINITION 10 takes advantage of a buildings site, climate, and materials to minimize energy use. A well-designed home first reduces heating and cooling loads throughenergy-efficiency strategiesand then meets those reduced loads in whole or part with solar energy TERM 21 Three Gorges Dam DEFINITION 21 hydroelectric dam that spans the Yangtze River by the town of Sandouping, located in Yiling District, Yichang, Hubei province, China. TERM 22 wind power DEFINITION 22 supplies 2.5% of global electricity TERM 23 Biomass energy DEFINITION 23 energy derived from present-day photosynthesis; living organic matterProduced by burning wood or municipal waste, generating methane, or producing alcohol TERM 24 Biogas DEFINITION 24 anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge to produce methane and nutrient-rich fertilizer Animal manure can also be digesteda gas produced by the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. TERM 25 Biofuels DEFINITION 25 fuel that contains energy from geologically recent carbon fixation. These fuels are produced from living organisms. TERM 26 Gasohol DEFINITION 26 ethanol fuel mixture 10% ethanol, 90% gasoline TERM 27 renewable fuel standard DEFINITION 27 USA federal program that requires transportation fuel sold in the U.S to contain renewable fuel TERM 28 Miscanthus DEFINITION 28 perennial grasses native to subtropical and tropical regions of Africa and southern Asiacould be used to produce ethanol TERM 29 Biodiesel DEFINITION 29 a vegetable oil- or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long-chain alkyl esters. TERM 30 Electrolysis DEFINITION 30 method of using a direct electric current to drive an otherwise non-spontaneous chemical reaction. extracts hydrogen from water TERM 31 hydrocarbon fuel DEFINITION 31 fuels formed by natural processes such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms. TERM 32 fuel cells DEFINITION 32 Use the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to produce electric current TERM 33 Hydrogen economy DEFINITION 33 a proposed system of delivering energy using hydrogen. The term was coined by John Bockris during a talk he gave in 1970 at General Motors Technical Center. TERM 34 Geothermal energy DEFINITION 34 thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth.using naturally heated water or steam to heat buildings or produce electricity TERM 35 Enhanced geothermal systems DEFINITION 35 generates geothermal electricity without the need for natural convective hydrothermal resources.