Geothermal Energy
If you kept digging, what would you find? You'd probably find lots of worms, roots and a few dog bones. But if you went really far down you'd find renewable energy.
If you take the word geothermal apart, you get 'geo' which means earth, and 'thermal' which means heat, so, geothermal means heat from the earth.
To get an idea of what Earth looks like boil an egg and then cut it in half without peeling the shell. The yellow yoke is the core of the earth, the white is the mantle of the earth and the shell is the crust. The earth's mantle consists of hot, liquid rock called magma and the crust floats on the liquid.
If you're wondering what that has to do with geothermal power, check this out; when water makes it's way down close to the hot rock, it turns to steam. This hot steam from deep in the ground can be used to warm buildings, swimming pools and make electricity.
If you kept digging, what would you find? You'd probably find lots of worms, roots and a few dog bones. But if you went really far down you'd find renewable energy.
If you take the word geothermal apart, you get 'geo' which means earth, and 'thermal' which means heat, so, geothermal means heat from the earth.
To get an idea of what Earth looks like boil an egg and then cut it in half without peeling the shell. The yellow yoke is the core of the earth, the white is the mantle of the earth and the shell is the crust. The earth's mantle consists of hot, liquid rock called magma and the crust floats on the liquid.
If you're wondering what that has to do with geothermal power, check this out; when water makes it's way down close to the hot rock, it turns to steam. This hot steam from deep in the ground can be used to warm buildings, swimming pools and make electricity.
Hydro Power Energy
Hydro energy is electricity made using water. Sounds weird, right? Especially since it's so dangerous to mix the two. The water never comes in contact with the electricity. How it works, water flowing down a river is used to spin turbines inside a generator. Large Rivers with fast flowing water works best.
Hydro energy is electricity made using water. Sounds weird, right? Especially since it's so dangerous to mix the two. The water never comes in contact with the electricity. How it works, water flowing down a river is used to spin turbines inside a generator. Large Rivers with fast flowing water works best.
Solar Energy
Solar energy is energy from the sun. Millions of years before humans realized the sun's potential as a renewable energy source, plants were using the sun's energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars to eat. This process is called photosynthesis. Today, we have tried to copy plants by creating something called photovoltaic (PV) Cells. These man made cells are comprised of semi-conductors, which are materials that are able to absorb light energy. The most commonly used semiconductors today is silicon because it is, so far, the most cost-effective materials. The silicon absorbs a portion of the energy from the light that shines down on it, electrons are knocked free and are channeled to flow in the same direction by electric fields within the PV Cell. On both the top and bottom of the silicon, metal contacts are placed and, through these contacts, the solar energy is contracted and stored.
Solar energy is energy from the sun. Millions of years before humans realized the sun's potential as a renewable energy source, plants were using the sun's energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars to eat. This process is called photosynthesis. Today, we have tried to copy plants by creating something called photovoltaic (PV) Cells. These man made cells are comprised of semi-conductors, which are materials that are able to absorb light energy. The most commonly used semiconductors today is silicon because it is, so far, the most cost-effective materials. The silicon absorbs a portion of the energy from the light that shines down on it, electrons are knocked free and are channeled to flow in the same direction by electric fields within the PV Cell. On both the top and bottom of the silicon, metal contacts are placed and, through these contacts, the solar energy is contracted and stored.
Wind Energy
Wind is used to make electricity. Blowing wind spins the blades on a wind turbine-just like blowing on a pinwheel. When the blades turn, the turbine is operating, and is making electricity. The turbine has a brake, so, if the wind blows to hard, it will stop the blades from being damaged. Wind Energy is renewable, but noisy.
Wind is used to make electricity. Blowing wind spins the blades on a wind turbine-just like blowing on a pinwheel. When the blades turn, the turbine is operating, and is making electricity. The turbine has a brake, so, if the wind blows to hard, it will stop the blades from being damaged. Wind Energy is renewable, but noisy.