Thermochemistry Group and Independent Research

Name: Haley West_

In pairs select energy sources presented by the teacher and research the advantages and disadvantages of each focusing on their impact on society and the environment. Once you have gathered your information, organize it into a table format and post it to the entire class on edmodo with the Title: Energy Sources: X and Y. You are responsible for collecting all the information provided by your peers and putting into a table for your own notes. You are to hand in your work on to edmodo. This means either typing your answers or hand writing them then scanning and saving your assignment. Your table on page 2 does not have to be complete just has to have YOUR information you gathered filled in.
Questions: COMPLETE THIS SECTION INDEPENDENTLY /20 10T 10K

1. What proportion of Ontarios energy needs is served by solar and wind technologies? What are the pros and cons of expanding the availability of these technologies? (7) As of 2011, 23% of Ontarios energy needs were met by renewable energies. Wind technology was responsible for 4.4% of Ontarios energy needs, and solar technology was responsible for less than 0.8% of Ontarios energy needs. One of the major disadvantages to expanding the solar and wind technologies include that both of the systems are powered by natural phenomenon, and there is no guarantee at any given time about how much energy there will be provided. This is especially disadvantageous for solar energy because of the initial cost of the cells. Solar energy can also be affected by the weather and the pollution on the air where they are installed. This means that for the 10 16 hours a day that the solar powers are creating energy, they may not be working at their highest efficiency. Although there are some cloud piercing solar panels that are already in production. As for the wind energy, if there is no wind there is no energy. There is also the chance that the wind turbines could be damaged by thunderstorms and birds and other aviationally inclined animals. On the other hand, both energies are clean and renewable energy sources. They can also assist when there is political turbulence, such as in the Middle East, where the oil they have is exacerbating the ongoing problems. 2. What types of chemical reactions occur in different types of fuel cells? (5) Through two electrochemical reactions it converts the chemicals into electricity. Hydrogen is the most common fuel, but hydrocarbons, such as methanol, are sometimes used. When mixed with oxygen or another kind of oxidizing agent, the chemical energy is converted into electricity. Generally speaking, hydrogen atoms enter a fuel cell where they are ionized and carry a positive electrical charge. The oxygen enters the fuel cell and combines with the hydrogen ions. Together they form water, which drains from the cell. As long as a fuel cell is supplied with hydrogen and oxygen it will continue to generate electricity. A. Alkali Fuel Cells operate on compressed hydrogen and oxygen. They use a solution of potassium hydroxide in water as their electrolyte. B. Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells use high-temperature compounds of salt, like sodium or magnesium, carbonates as the electrolyte. C. Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells use phosphoric acid as the electrolyte. They also tolerate a carbon monoxide concentration of about 1.5 percent, which broadens the choice of fuels they can use. If gasoline is used, the sulfur must be removed. D. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells - fuel cells work with a polymer electrolyte in the form of a thin, permeable sheet

E. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells - use a hard, ceramic compound of metal, like calcium, oxides as an electrolyte. 3. What are the advantages and disadvantages, in terms of efficiency and environmental impact, of using corn to produce ethanol fuel? (4) There are some concerns over the amount of land needed to support the crop and how that will impact the supply of other crops, such as grain, beans, and squash. The use of corn in ethanol production also caused a shortage in food-grade corn and a spike in prices. Using corn in ethanol production also effects the environment. The process requires enormous amounts of irrigation water redirected from other sources such as rivers and underwater aquifers. It also needs a significant amount of oil being used for fertilizers, chemicals, and fuel for farming equipment. The distillation of ethanol from corn uses water, natural gas and electricity in significant amounts. There is also a substantial waiting period to endure while the corn crop maturing enough to allow for ethanol distilment. Yet, when looking at using corn to produce ethanol, one must consider that corn only produces 23% of the greenhouse gases that gasoline produces. It produces few particulates and no carbon monoxide. Also, any spillage of corn that occurs will not harm the environment or contaminate the water system. Watch videos on youtube.com: Solar and Wind Power - Renewable Energy Systems; How Fuel Cells Work
Conventional and Alternative Energy Sources in Ontario (4) Energy Source Advantages Inexpensive easy to use as a startup energy source for poorer countries Easily accessible They emit far fewer greenhouse gases during electricity generation than coal or other traditional power plants. Nuclear fuel has a relatively low cost compared to energy sources like gas and coal. Existing and future nuclear waste can be reduced through waste recycling and reprocessing. Inexhaustible fuel source Minimal environmental impact Viable source--relatively useful levels of energy production Can be used throughout the world, every country No pollutants No Greenhouse gases are produced due to no combustion of fossil fuels Disadvantages Releases greenhouse gases and polluting the air Health related damages could top 3 billion a year Expensive solutions are needed to contain, control, and shield both people and the environment from harmful radiation. Waste lasts 200-500 thousand years. Nuclear fuel is initially highly radioactive and must be handled with care. The area around nuclear waste sites is dangerous to humans for hundreds of years. Smaller models depend on availability of fast flowing streams or river High initial cost Does still effect the environment (although less than other sources) Disrupts aquatic ecosystems Disruption in surrounding areas causing large scale human displacement

Coal

Nuclear

Hydroelectric

Gas / Oil Wind

Easy to store Cheap Great endurance Renewable no fossil fuels are burnt takes up a small amount of space Renewable Does not emit greenhouse gasses No maintenance Doesnt need ongoing raw material Completely renewable Widely available and it is naturally distributed Turns waste into fuel Keeps UK farming land cultivated Uses agricultural waste , giving it a secondary cost

Solar

Biomass

Refuse Based Fuel

Fuel can have low cost Could create jobs because smaller plants would be used Low sulfur dioxide emissions

Hydrogen

Emits only water vapour, assuming there is no leakage of hydrogen gas It can store up to 3x as much energy as conventional natural gases Switching to hydrogen fuel would mean that we had to depend a lot less on foreign oil sources, decreasing the need for foreign import of fuel. Fusion does not emit harmful pollutants into the environment There is little risk of running out of the elements needed: Deuterium and Tritium Produces helium, which is naturally abundant and virtually harmless. Doesnt hurt the environment.

Non-renewable Starter of wars Pollution low efficiency rate only works when it`s windy noise disturbances Expensive Only 22% efficient Needs sunlight More energy is consumed producing the solar panel than will ever be produced by the solar panel Large areas of land are needed to create enough electricity to make it efficient Some geography limits the amount of biomass Crops are not available all year round. Reduces greenhouse emissions and limits CO2 Inefficient if small plants are used Could be significant contributor to global warming because fuel has low heat content Flyash can contain metals as cadmium and lead Contain dioxins and furans in air and ash releases Gas must be used to improve combustion Leakage of H gas will have detrimental impacts on the stratosphere Production of hydrogen gas currently relies on natural gas and electrolysis, and to replace all the vehicles with hydrogen would require 10x as much energy as currently is used Storage of hydrogen is really tough because hydrogen has such a low density difficult to produce scientists have not yet be able to contain a fusion reaction long enough for there to be a net energy gain virtually impossible to sustain the high temperatures required for the process to occur costs a lot of money

Fusion

http://klickitat.org/renewables/comparison.htm