Deck 21: New Renewable Energy Alternatives

Question 1

Read the following scenario and answer the questions below.
The oldest wind farm in Pennsylvania is Humboldt Industrial Park-the first commercial wind energy project in the mid
-Atlantic region-which went online December 31, 1999. The two 65-kilowatt wind turbines were predicted to generate 200,000 kilowatt-hours of wind energy each year, replacing conventional electric generation that would otherwise produce 140 tons of carbon dioxide-the primary source of global climate change. Wind energy from these first two turbines also avoids the annual production of 800 pounds of nitrogen oxides and 1,900 pounds of sulfur dioxide.
The local community in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, had mixed reactions to the news that a new wind farm was being installed in 2005. Some were excited about the possibility of lower energy bills, some were concerned about the effects on the environment, and others wondered if there was enough local wind to make such an investment worthwhile. An average wind speed of 9 to 13 miles per hour is sufficient for most sizes of wind turbines. The power available in the wind is proportional to the cube of its speed, which means that doubling the wind speed increases the available power by a factor of eight.
Nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide are the major ingredients _.

A)damaging the ozone layer
B)in water pollution
C)in fertilizers
D)causing eutrophication
E)in acid rain and smog

Answer 1

E

Question 2

Read the following scenario and answer the questions below.
The oldest wind farm in Pennsylvania is Humboldt Industrial Park-the first commercial wind energy project in the mid
-Atlantic region-which went online December 31, 1999. The two 65-kilowatt wind turbines were predicted to generate 200,000 kilowatt-hours of wind energy each year, replacing conventional electric generation that would otherwise produce 140 tons of carbon dioxide-the primary source of global climate change. Wind energy from these first two turbines also avoids the annual production of 800 pounds of nitrogen oxides and 1,900 pounds of sulfur dioxide.
The local community in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, had mixed reactions to the news that a new wind farm was being installed in 2005. Some were excited about the possibility of lower energy bills, some were concerned about the effects on the environment, and others wondered if there was enough local wind to make such an investment worthwhile. An average wind speed of 9 to 13 miles per hour is sufficient for most sizes of wind turbines. The power available in the wind is proportional to the cube of its speed, which means that doubling the wind speed increases the available power by a factor of eight.
Traditional uses of wind energy included .

A)pumping water and grinding grain
B)heating and cooling for houses
C)cooling for houses
D)removing water from land so it could be farmed
E)generation of electricity

Answer 2

A

Question 3

A potential energy source from oceans is .

A)chemoluminescent bacteria
B)ocean thermal energy
C)magnetic field generators
D)lightning strikes in salt water
E)solar reflection

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Use the accompanying figure to answer the following questions.

A major advantage of solar power is that .

A)there is a lack of knowledge on long-term impacts
B)cost is prohibitive even in developed countries
C)pollution is high
D)not all regions are sunny enough to provide adequate power with current technology
E)solar systems provide local, decentralized control over power

Question 5

Use the accompanying figure to answer the following questions.

"New renewables" are .

A)wind, wood, alcohol
B)solar, wind, geothermal
C)fusion, fission
D)coal, natural gas
E)hydro, biomass

Question 6

Which one of the following is true of hydrogen fuel cell technology?

A)Many homes were built in desert regions using the technology to collect and heat water.
B)It was originally slated for use in cars by Ford.
C)The visionaries of the fossil fuel companies saw the need to develop this technology.
D)The U.S. government wanted it for use in military operations.
E)It has been used widely in NASA's spaceflight programs.

Question 7

A major advantage of hydrogen-generated electricity over other new renewable energy sources is that it _ .

A)creates greenhouse gases but no acid deposition
B)is less expensive
C)can be produced where and when electricity is needed rather than being intermittent
D)already has an infrastructure in place for using hydrogen as fuel
E)converts the kinetic energy of earth processes to electrical energy

Question 8

Whether a hydrogen-based energy system is environmentally cleaner than a fossil fuel system depends on .

A)the source of energy used to produce the hydrogen
B)the amount of fossil fuels that are invested in long- term storage
C)governmental incentives for research
D)the source of oxygen used for the process
E)the car driven

Question 9

Compared to the use of fossil fuels for generating electricity, wind energy .

A)produces no exhaust pollutants and contributes little to global climate change
B)is more consistent
C)is not renewable
D)is more widely used in the United States
E)requires no investment

Question 10

The chemical product of burning hydrogen or using hydrogen fuel cells as an energy source is .

A)carbon monoxide
B)nontoxic ash
C)water
D)acids
E)glucose and oxygen

Question 11

The primary motivation to develop the new renewable energy sources comes from .

A)concerns that oxygen production by trees is endangered by fossil fuel use
B)those who believe conservation is important
C)those who believe fossil fuel dependence is suicide because it makes us vulnerable to the Middle East
D)those who believe human health is impacted by smog and pollution
E)concerns over diminishing fossil fuel supplies and negative environmental impacts of fossil fuel use

Question 12

Passive solar technologies _ .

A)use the energy of sunlight without relying on electrical or mechanical devices
B)use silicon wafers to generate light energy
C)use mirrors to concentrate the sun's rays on a tower or a series of pipes holding water
D)use photovoltaic cells to produce light energy
E)use mechanical devices to heat water and buildings or electrical devices to generate electricity

Question 13

Although photovoltaic electricity as a power source is cleaner than burning fossil fuels, the problem with this electricity is that it _.

A)is not sufficiently understood
B)will be replaced shortly with other sources of power for homes
C)is less efficient than fossil fuels
D)cannot be stored easily in large quantities for use when and where it is needed
E)is dangerous if stored too long

Question 14

Use the accompanying figure to answer the following questions.

A major obstacle to the establishment of wind farms near populated and scenic areas is .

A)not- in- my- backyard (NIMBY)syndrome
B)the lack of financial support for the construction of wind farms
C)the lack of large land areas needed to construct wind farms
D)the lack of government support for the construction of wind farms
E)the lack of infrastructure to support wind-generated electricity

Question 15

The largest problem with adopting the new technology of renewable resources is .

A)in evaluating the scientific and economic impacts
B)that energy production facilities are not located near consumers
C)that the startup costs may be high
D)that technological advances have not been made in the last 30 years to meet our energy needs
E)that long-term maintenance costs are much higher than those for fossil fuels

Question 16

Read the following scenario and answer the questions below.
The oldest wind farm in Pennsylvania is Humboldt Industrial Park-the first commercial wind energy project in the mid
-Atlantic region-which went online December 31, 1999. The two 65-kilowatt wind turbines were predicted to generate 200,000 kilowatt-hours of wind energy each year, replacing conventional electric generation that would otherwise produce 140 tons of carbon dioxide-the primary source of global climate change. Wind energy from these first two turbines also avoids the annual production of 800 pounds of nitrogen oxides and 1,900 pounds of sulfur dioxide.
The local community in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, had mixed reactions to the news that a new wind farm was being installed in 2005. Some were excited about the possibility of lower energy bills, some were concerned about the effects on the environment, and others wondered if there was enough local wind to make such an investment worthwhile. An average wind speed of 9 to 13 miles per hour is sufficient for most sizes of wind turbines. The power available in the wind is proportional to the cube of its speed, which means that doubling the wind speed increases the available power by a factor of eight.
The entire output of Humboldt Industrial Park was quickly sold to subscribers, and further wind energy parks were soon built in Mill Run, Somerset, and other places. Most of the distribution has gone to businesses, universities, and state agencies. This means that _.

A)renewable energy sources are not yet efficient enough to be used by homeowners
B)the costs associated with renewable energy sources can only be borne by large groups
C)consumers still do not trust alternative energy sources
D)many groups have recognized the economic benefits of alternative energy sources
E)very few large institutions are concerned about the pollution and environmental degradation associated with using wind to generate electricity

Question 17

Currently, the fastest-growing source of electricity generation using new renewable sources is .

A)natural gas
B)hydro
C)wind
D)PV solar
E)coal

Question 18

Use the accompanying figure to answer the following questions.

For primary energy, the major renewable sources in the United States are .

A)hydropower and wind
B)geothermal and solar
C)wind and solar
D)bioenergy and solar
E)hydropower and bioenergy

Question 19

One major advantage of using hydrogen fuel cells is .

A)that the cells are nonpolluting
B)methane is produced as a byproduct
C)the potential for production of greenhouse gases
D)the low impact on atmospheric ozone
E)the energy efficiency

Question 20

Wind turbines are generally more productive if they are .

A)higher, to minimize turbulence and maximize wind speed
B)higher, to increase heat convection from the ground
C)higher, to minimize the number of birds that interfere with blade turning
D)lower, to minimize turbulence and maximize wind speed
E)lower, to increase heat convection from the ground

Question 21

Read the following scenario and answer the questions below.
The oldest wind farm in Pennsylvania is Humboldt Industrial Park-the first commercial wind energy project in the mid
-Atlantic region-which went online December 31, 1999. The two 65-kilowatt wind turbines were predicted to generate 200,000 kilowatt-hours of wind energy each year, replacing conventional electric generation that would otherwise produce 140 tons of carbon dioxide-the primary source of global climate change. Wind energy from these first two turbines also avoids the annual production of 800 pounds of nitrogen oxides and 1,900 pounds of sulfur dioxide.
The local community in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, had mixed reactions to the news that a new wind farm was being installed in 2005. Some were excited about the possibility of lower energy bills, some were concerned about the effects on the environment, and others wondered if there was enough local wind to make such an investment worthwhile. An average wind speed of 9 to 13 miles per hour is sufficient for most sizes of wind turbines. The power available in the wind is proportional to the cube of its speed, which means that doubling the wind speed increases the available power by a factor of eight.
Electricity production and consumption are most commonly measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). A kilowatt-hour is one kilowatt (1,000 watts)of electricity produced or consumed for one hour. A 10 -kW wind turbine can generate about 10,000 kWh annually at a site with wind speeds averaging 12 miles per hour, or about enough to power a typical household. In just such a site, the 250-kW turbine installed at the elementary school in Spirit Lake, Iowa, provides an average of over
Annually.

A)25,000 kW
B)250 mW
C)250,000 kW
D)2,500 kW
E)250 kW

Question 22

The current practice of geothermal power generation may not always provide a practical renewable energy source because _ .

A)in some instances, pollution emissions can be very high
B)in some cases, the heated groundwater is used much faster than it is recharged
C)geologically heated groundwater is unsuitable for these plants and must be purified first
D)in many cases, the magma is used faster than it is recharged
E)power plants have high maintenance costs

Question 23

U.S. geothermal energy is most available in .

A)the Florida Keys
B)the Northeast
C)the West
D)the Southeast
E)Texas

Question 24

A major disadvantage of solar power is .

A)its cost-effectiveness compared to other types of power
B)that solar systems decentralize control over electrical energy
C)the uneven distribution of sunshine around the world
D)its efficiency level compared to other types of power
E)that there is a lack of knowledge on long-term economic impacts

Question 25

Read the following scenario and answer the questions below.
The oldest wind farm in Pennsylvania is Humboldt Industrial Park-the first commercial wind energy project in the mid
-Atlantic region-which went online December 31, 1999. The two 65-kilowatt wind turbines were predicted to generate 200,000 kilowatt-hours of wind energy each year, replacing conventional electric generation that would otherwise produce 140 tons of carbon dioxide-the primary source of global climate change. Wind energy from these first two turbines also avoids the annual production of 800 pounds of nitrogen oxides and 1,900 pounds of sulfur dioxide.
The local community in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, had mixed reactions to the news that a new wind farm was being installed in 2005. Some were excited about the possibility of lower energy bills, some were concerned about the effects on the environment, and others wondered if there was enough local wind to make such an investment worthwhile. An average wind speed of 9 to 13 miles per hour is sufficient for most sizes of wind turbines. The power available in the wind is proportional to the cube of its speed, which means that doubling the wind speed increases the available power by a factor of eight.
One difficulty with the process of using hydrogen as a power source is that it .

A)requires a substantial energy investment to begin the process
B)has highly volatile and explosive components
C)is toxic to humans and wildlife
D)requires a fuel that is a nonrenewable resource
E)is less efficient than fossil fuels

Question 26

Solar represents a minuscule portion of U.S. energy production because of .

A)air and water pollution from this source of energy
B)lack of scientific interest
C)technological limitations
D)poor potential for this energy source
E)lack of investment

Question 27

Wind will not be a major U.S. energy resource in _.

A)California
B)the Northeast
C)Texas
D)the Southeast
E)the Northwest

Question 28

Match the following.

A)geomagnetic
B)geothermal
C)solar
D)nuclear
E)wind
F)uranium
G)hydrogen
H)photovoltaic cells
I)natural gas
J)quadrathermal cells
The renewable energy source adopted in Iceland for use in vehicles

Question 29

Read the following scenario and answer the questions below.
The oldest wind farm in Pennsylvania is Humboldt Industrial Park-the first commercial wind energy project in the mid
-Atlantic region-which went online December 31, 1999. The two 65-kilowatt wind turbines were predicted to generate 200,000 kilowatt-hours of wind energy each year, replacing conventional electric generation that would otherwise produce 140 tons of carbon dioxide-the primary source of global climate change. Wind energy from these first two turbines also avoids the annual production of 800 pounds of nitrogen oxides and 1,900 pounds of sulfur dioxide.
The local community in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, had mixed reactions to the news that a new wind farm was being installed in 2005. Some were excited about the possibility of lower energy bills, some were concerned about the effects on the environment, and others wondered if there was enough local wind to make such an investment worthwhile. An average wind speed of 9 to 13 miles per hour is sufficient for most sizes of wind turbines. The power available in the wind is proportional to the cube of its speed, which means that doubling the wind speed increases the available power by a factor of eight.
An average household uses about 10,000 kilowatt- hours of electricity annually. How many tons of carbon dioxide would be produced if the household's electricity were generated using only conventional energy sources?

A)70
B)2,800,000
C)7
D)1,400,000
E)700

Question 30

Photovoltaic (PV)technology is best described as .

A)using mirrors to concentrate sunlight, in order to heat water and produce steam for electricity generation
B)trapping sun's heat and storing it for various uses
C)using sun's energy to warm a room without mechanical devices
D)using sunlight to generate electricity
E)passive solar technology

Question 31

Read the following scenario and answer the questions below.
The oldest wind farm in Pennsylvania is Humboldt Industrial Park-the first commercial wind energy project in the mid
-Atlantic region-which went online December 31, 1999. The two 65-kilowatt wind turbines were predicted to generate 200,000 kilowatt-hours of wind energy each year, replacing conventional electric generation that would otherwise produce 140 tons of carbon dioxide-the primary source of global climate change. Wind energy from these first two turbines also avoids the annual production of 800 pounds of nitrogen oxides and 1,900 pounds of sulfur dioxide.
The local community in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, had mixed reactions to the news that a new wind farm was being installed in 2005. Some were excited about the possibility of lower energy bills, some were concerned about the effects on the environment, and others wondered if there was enough local wind to make such an investment worthwhile. An average wind speed of 9 to 13 miles per hour is sufficient for most sizes of wind turbines. The power available in the wind is proportional to the cube of its speed, which means that doubling the wind speed increases the available power by a factor of eight.
If the wind speed averages 11 mph on Ashley Hill and 12 mph on Genevie Hill, then a turbine operating on Genevie Hill could, in theory, generate about % more electricity than a turbine on Ashley Hill.

A)10
B)30
C)1
D)20
E)50

Question 32

The nation that currently has the most progressive renewable energy policies and also produces the greatest amount of electricity from PV solar is .

A)Germany
B)China
C)the United States
D)Brazil
E)Spain

Question 33

Every winter morning when the sun is shining bright, a man living in Montana pulls back the drapes on a large, south- facing window. In this way, he helps heat his home using .

A)active solar heating
B)passive solar heating
C)radioactive solar heating
D)photovoltaic heating
E)conductive solar heating

Question 34

Using wind as a power source to do work _ .

A)is a process that has been worked on for over 50 years
B)began over 40,000 years ago in Australia
C)is something that has been developed only in the past 10 years
D)has been discovered in Asian ruins over 5,000 years old
E)began in Europe over 800 years ago

Question 35

Match the following.

A)geomagnetic
B)geothermal
C)solar
D)nuclear
E)wind
F)uranium
G)hydrogen
H)photovoltaic cells
I)natural gas
J)quadrathermal cells
A method of converting sunlight to electrical energy

Question 36

Which one of the following is a type of "new renewable" energy?

A)"biogas" methane
B)biodiesel
C)sustainably harvested fuelwood
D)wind power
E)ethanol

Question 37

Which of the following methods is considered a type of passive solar energy collection?

A)OTEC
B)rooftop flat-plate solar collectors
C)rooftop solar panels
D)photovoltaic cells
E)using heat-absorbing construction materials

Question 38

One benefit of offshore wind farms is that .

A)wind speeds are higher and turbulence is lower over water than over land
B)development of land for human use is pushing wind farms to open water
C)unlike land- based wind farms, they do not interfere with bird migration routes
D)they are more aesthetically pleasing than wind farms on land
E)maintenance costs are less than they are on land

Question 39

Match the following.

A)geomagnetic
B)geothermal
C)solar
D)nuclear
E)wind
F)uranium
G)hydrogen
H)photovoltaic cells
I)natural gas
J)quadrathermal cells
A form of kinetic energy that can be harnessed with turbines

Question 40

Match the following.

A)geomagnetic
B)geothermal
C)solar
D)nuclear
E)wind
F)uranium
G)hydrogen
H)photovoltaic cells
I)natural gas
J)quadrathermal cells
A form of energy that may not be completely renewable and can produce air pollution

Question 41

In general, what has spurred the use of renewable energy, and what are the benefits of its use in environmental and economic terms?

Question 42

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of wind power.

Question 43

Compare and contrast passive solar collection and active solar collection.

Question 44

Briefly describe how a hydrogen fuel cell works to produce electricity.

Question 45

What is geothermal power? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the use of geothermal power?

Question 46

What are some of the benefits and obstacles to using hydrogen as a fuel?

Question 47

Describe some of the possible ocean energy sources.

Question 48

Match the following.

A)geomagnetic
B)geothermal
C)solar
D)nuclear
E)wind
F)uranium
G)hydrogen
H)photovoltaic cells
I)natural gas
J)quadrathermal cells
An inexhaustible, nonpolluting, decentralized energy source