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ANDRS ESTUPIN
MARLON ZURITA
XIMENA GUSQUE

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ALTERNATIVE
SIXT
H B
ENERGY

New Ways To

Generate Electricity

Alternative
energy
produces a clean and
inexhaustible
energy and are the logical
and ecological
fossil fuels and pollutants
that
currently
dominate
the
energy
scene, according
to
its
advocates
alternative. Its potential is enormous and some experts believe that the union and the
development of all varieties surplus could cover the energy needs of all humanity.
HYDRAULIC ENERGY
ADVANTAGE:
1. Renewable Energy
Hydropower is renewable. This means we can not exhaust it. However, there are less and less
suitable for the construction of hydroelectric plants and even less where these projects are really
profitable places.
2. Clean Energy
The generation of electricity with hydropower is pollution itself. The only contamination occurs
in the process of construction of large power plants.
3. Stable production
It is a very stable source of energy. There is very little fluctuation in terms of producing power
plants, unless changes are made to their needs. It is often used to ensure minimum energy
demand. If there is water in dams, electricity can be generated.
4. Flexible
By adjusting the water flow can produce more or less electricity on demand. When demand is
low, the water is kept in dams or reservoirs expected that consumption is greater. It is a source
of energy that suits our needs.
5. Safe
Compared with nuclear energy or obtained from fossil fuels, hydropower is much safer. The
only fuel used is water.
DISADVANTAGE:

1. Environmental consequences
The construction of hydroelectric power plants affects nature, natural water flows, and the
construction of roads and power lines.
2. Its implementation is expensive and not easy
The construction of a hydroelectric plant is expensive. While on the other hand, once underway
few workers are needed and maintenance costs are usually low. Projects must be carefully
studied to minimize environmental impacts.
3. Droughts
Electricity generation and energy prices are directly affected by the amount of water stored.
Droughts of course could affect it. In recent years, the climate is being altered with periods of
drought longer than normal and there have been numerous reservoirs that have seen their lowest
minimum levels.
4. Finite Reservations
Appropriate locations for the establishment of a profitable hydroelectric plant are nearly
exhausted, so it is not usual lately the launch of new complexes.
WIND POWER
ADVANTAGE:
1. Wind power is an energy source considered green because it does not cause pollution.
In harnessing wind energy is not contaminated in the same way when energy is obtained starting
from fossil fuels, coal or nuclear power.
It is true that during manufacture, transport of materials and installation of a wind turbine
contributes something to global warming, but the electricity produced once assembled these
turbines do not imply any emission into the atmosphere.
2. Huge potential, you could get 20 times more energy than the world needs.
The potential energy that could be achieved through wind power is absolutely amazing. Several
independent researchers have come to the same conclusion: the world's wind energy potential
exceeds 400 TW.
3. Renewable.
Wind energy is a renewable source of energy. The winds occur naturally and there is no way we
run these sources. Recall that wind energy through nuclear fusion reactions taking place in the
sun arises.
4. Efficient in area

The largest wind turbines are capable of generating enough electricity to meet the average
demand of 600 households. The turbines can not be placed very close together, but the space
between them can be put to other uses. This is a great advantage over solar energy for example,
that requires much space exclusively.
5. Rapid Growth
Not yet it represents a large percentage of the electricity produced, but it is the energy source
that grows at a faster pace and thereby help combat global warming, while costs are reduced.
You can see statistics of wind energy production on this link.
6. Costs
Production costs are lower every time thanks to technological advances and are expected to
continue to decline in the future.
7. Low maintenance
Generally, once the turbines are manufactured, built and become operational, operational costs
are very small. Although since not all turbines are created equal, some are more susceptible to
other maintenance.
8. Good potential domestic use
Windmills have been used in many places in the world for more traditionally mechanical work,
but could also be used for the production of electricity in homes as many people do with
photovoltaic panels. They could even complement each other.
DISADVANTAGE:
1. Unpredictable
The wind is hard to predict and availability of wind energy production is not constant. Wind
energy is therefore not appropriate if a stable production is expected. If we had cheap storage
systems energy produced, the situation would be very different, but the batteries are expensive.
In the future, we can expect great advances in storage technologies, but for now the wind
turbines have to be used in parallel with other energy sources to meet our energy demand
continuously.
2. Costs
Without incentives the production of wind energy is discussed that is really profitable. This
gives an advantage to traditional energy production industries, such as oil or coal.
It is generally thought in the photovoltaic solar energy as energy production system especially in
households seeking more self - sufficient, but more and more wind power could be a viable
alternative.

3. Threat to Wildlife
Moving blades of the turbines pose a major threat to birds, bats and other flying creatures.
However, I must say it is estimated that more birds die crashing into buildings or vehicles.
SOLAR ENERGY
ADVANTAGE:
1. Renewable
Solar energy is a renewable source of energy. This means that we can not stay without this
energy source, the opposite of what happens with other sources of non - renewable energy (coal,
nuclear, fossil fuels)
2. Plentiful
The potential of solar energy exceeds all imaginable limits. The Earth's surface receives 120,000
terawatts of solar radiation, which is 20,000 times more power than the planet needs to
complete.
3. Sustainable
As abundant and renewable source of energy, it is also sustainable. Sustainable energy sources
meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. In other
words, solar energy is sustainable because it is not over-consume.
4. Environmentally
The use of solar energy generally does not cause pollution. However, there are emissions
associated with the manufacture, transportation and installation of plants or solar energy panels,
although they are very low compared to conventional energy sources.
5. Good availability
Solar energy is available worldwide. Not only can benefit the countries close to Ecuador;
Germany, for example, is the country with the largest installed capacity. View statistics of
installed capacity in Spain, Europe and the World.
6. Reduce electricity costs
By installing kits consumption, many individuals see reduced its electricity bill and may also
sell excess energy produced. In addition, many companies that sell solar power to the national
grid but we must be very aware of the rules, since in Spain has been a debacle for many
investors have emerged.
7. Multiple applications

Solar energy can be used for different purposes. It can be used to generate electricity in remote
locations that can not be connected to the conventional power grid, or to obtain distilled water in
Africa, or even to generate the energy needed for space satellites.
8. Silent Power
In a normal installation of solar energy, there are no moving parts, therefore no noise associated.
This is a great advantage over other renewable energy sources such as wind energy.
9. Usually have incentives for installing solar panels
In some countries, the installation of solar panels came incentivized so that the cost of
installation looked cut up almost 50%. In Spain years ago it was also very advantageous. Now
subsidies or tax benefits are practically nonexistent.
10. Low maintenance
Most solar installations require minimal maintenance. The panels are installed in houses,
usually only one or two cleanings required year. Besides serious solar panel manufacturers often
guarantee them for periods of time up to 20-25 years.
11. The technology continues to advance
Advances in industry panels and solar cells are constant and make incremental progress.
Innovations in nanotechnology and quantum physics soon will mean tripling the efficiency of
solar panels.
DISADVANTAGE:
1. Energy face
Is solar energy is really expensive? It is probably the biggest point of discussion of the list of
advantages and disadvantages. Numerous incentives that have been giving energy production
camouflages the real cost of production.
2. Flashing
One of the major disadvantages is that solar energy is intermittent. Depending on the year, we
enjoyed more or fewer hours of daylight. And depending on if it is cloudy or not, production
varies even more.
3. The storage of solar energy is expensive
Systems to store the produced solar energy such as batteries that help smooth out the ups and
downs of production and demand are expensive.

Fortunately, there is good correspondence between our access to solar energy and the usual
demand. Peak power demanded usually occur at noon, when usually occurs precisely as
heatstroke.
4. Associated pollution
Although solar energy is clear that it is a much cleaner energy than fossil fuels, there are some
minor flaws and everything is perfect. Some manufacturing processes are associated with
greenhouse gas emissions. In the production of solar panels trifloururo nitrogen and sulfur
hexafluoride are produced, which are some of the most potent greenhouse gases and have
several thousand times greater impact on global warming than carbon dioxide..
5. Use of exotic raw materials
Some solar cells require for their manufacture raw materials are expensive so rare that are found
in nature. This occurs mainly in thin panels based on cadmium telluride (CdTe) or copper based semiconductor, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS) material.
6. Requires space
Solar power density, measured as W / m, is essential when trying to know how much energy
can be produced in one place. The lower you need more space, which will result in higher costs.
The global average is 170 W / m. This is much more than another source of renewable energy,
but not comparable to oil, gas or nuclear power.
ENERGY WAVES
ADVANTAGE:
1. It is a renewable resource
Tidal energy is a renewable energy source. This energy is the result of gravitational fields of the
moon and the sun, combined with the Earth's rotation on its axis, and it causes high and low
tides.
It is this potential difference of tides which can be used to generate electricity, either by
generating tidal currents (or TSG, on stands for Tidal Stream Generators), dams tide or the
latest, energy tidal dynamics (DTP or dynamic Tidal Power).
2. Clean Energy
Tidal energy is a source of environmentally friendly energy. Besides being a source of
renewable energy, it emits no greenhouse gases and on the other hand, another big advantage is
that not demand much space.
3. It is predictable

The tides are predictable, we know when they are going to give high tides and at low sea. By
knowing these cycles, it becomes easier to build systems with the right dimensions, since we
know what power can we expect in each case.
The turbines used are very similar to those of wind power, both in size and shape, as the
installed power. However they have different limitations.
4. They are efficient at low speeds
Since water is 1000 times denser than air, it is possible to generate electricity at low speed. Even
at speeds of 1 m / s can be obtained energy.
5. Long life
Although as mentioned there are still few examples, the La Rance tidal power plant in France
has been in operation since 1966 and today continues to produce large amounts of electricity.
DISADVANTAGE:
1. Effects on the environment
As mentioned above, the effects of tidal power plants on the environment are not yet very clear.
All we know is that these plants produce clean energy, but we know if we are paying some sort
of price for the future.
In comparison with hydroelectric dams, tidal power stations - that similarly block the free
passage of water - could have similar effects on marine habitats. Therefore, research projects
also put special emphasis on this issue.
2. Closeness to earth
The tidal power stations need to be built near land that is where there are the most marked
differences between tides, and this entails a visual impact, occupation of coastal areas.
In the future, it may be possible to place them in areas of high seas.
3. Technology face
As a new technology are less competitive than other established and enhanced over time, and
the resulting energy is significantly more expensive than that obtained with nuclear, thermal,
plants or other renewable energy sources.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
ADVANTAGE:
1. Environmentally friendly

Geothermal energy is normally considered environmentally friendly . There are very few
aspects of it that may be considered pollutants (will be discussed in the part of the
disadvantages), but they are minimal compared to the pollution caused by fossil fuels (coal,
oil ...)
2. Renewable
Geothermal reservoirs from natural sources that are filled continuously. Geothermal energy is
therefore a form of renewable energy.
3. Great potential
Global consumption in the world is estimated at about 15 terawatts (TW). This figure is far
below the amount of energy stored within the earth..
4. Stable
Geothermal energy is a constant source of energy. We can predict the production of each
geothermal power plant quite accurately. This does not happen with other renewable energy
sources such as solar or wind, where the weather plays a big role.
5. It is ideal for heating and cooling
To produce electricity geothermal sources of water are required at a temperature of 150C or
more so as to be movable generating turbines.
In fact, this technology is being widely used in homes for heating / cooling.
DISADVANTAGE:
1. Environmental aspects
There are many greenhouse gases under the surface, and some of them may be released during
the use of geothermal energy and end up in the atmosphere. These emissions are higher in
geothermal plants.
Geothermal plants are associated with emissions of sulfur dioxide and silica, and water
reservoirs may exist geothermal heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic and boron.
But despite all this air pollution from geothermal plants it is insignificant compared to
conventional thermal plants.
2. Instability of the ground (earthquakes)
The construction of geothermal plants can affect ground stability.
Earthquakes can occur due to hydraulic fracturing, which is intrinsic to the development of
geothermal systems of plants.

3. It is expensive
Geothermal projects are expensive. We must explore and drill new fields and although not
achieve the objective is achieved, usually have to pay half the approved budget. For every 1
megawatt geothermal plant a cost of 2 to 7,000,000 euros of investment is estimated.
4. Are very localized
Good geothermal deposits are scarce. Some countries have large resources of this type (Iceland,
Philippines ...) and are capable of producing up to one third of the electricity demand in their
countries with geothermal use only.
5. Aspects of sustainability
Rainwater seeps through the ground to the geothermal fields in a process that can last for
thousands of years. Certain studies show that the deposits can be exhausted if water is removed
faster than regenerates. Therefore, in some plants we proceed to reinject the water once it has
used its geothermal energy and generated electricity.
BIOMASS ENERGY
ADVANTAGE:
1. is a renewable energy source
Across the globe there is a possibility of access to sources of biomass such as crop residues,
manure and organic waste. In the course of a year in which all these sources become biofuels
they are generating equivalent amounts in crops, farms and cities. The pace of change is similar
to the growth of crops and harvesting, and can be as short as a few months in some cases.
2. Neutral regard to carbon emissions
This is perhaps the largest and most important advantage of energy from biomass. Biomass falls
squarely in the carbon cycle. The carbon from the atmosphere is captured by plants during
photosynthesis and becomes part of their structures. When the plant dies or is burnt, that carbon
returns to the atmosphere. Since it is one cycle, the following crops absorb carbon and again, so
a balance between the amounts of carbon that biomass fuel released to the atmosphere and the
amount plants extract it remains.
3. Minimum Price
The use of the energy contained in the biomass is very economical compared to oil or coal.
Usually it costs about a third of fossil fuels to achieve the same result. This means that if youre
heating depended biomass every year could save a third of the cost of heating with gasoil, which
is a big savings.
4. The biomass is abundant

The biomass is available in large quantities worldwide. Therefore, in general major transport
infrastructure it is not necessary to take them to their destination.
DISADVANTAGE:
1. Can be expensive
In certain areas and under certain conditions, the extraction of biomass can be expensive. This
also often happens in projects involving exploitation collection, processing and storage of some
types of biomass.
2. Requires space
Large areas for different processes for the production of biomass energy are needed. Also
storage areas may be particularly extensive.
3. Environmental aspects
Sometimes they are used to obtain large forest biomass or forest areas, destroying habitats of
great ecological value and causing the disappearance or movement of animal species by
destroying their shelters and food sources.

WEBGRAPHY:

ENRIQUEZ, H. ,(2009), TECNOLOGIAS DE GENERACION DE

ENERGIA ELECTRICA, MEXICO DF, MEXICO.
MONTOYA, J., (2012), NUEVAS FUENTES DE ENERGIA,
ANTIOQUIA, MEDELLIN.
ESSAYS, UK. (NOVEMBER 2013). METHODS OF ELECTRICITY
PRODUCTION ENGINEERING ESSAY.
CALAMEO, (2014), GENERACIN DE ENERGIA.