Power is Knowledge Magazine

POWER IS KNOWLEDGE Kinsey Brawner Energy is all around us. It’s in our bodies, earth, and universe. It’s within a fingertips grasp. Yet, it is only in the last couple centuries that we’ve truly discovered efficient ways to harness it. Innovation is slowly weaning the world off of fossil fuels, but society is still heavily dependent with 80 percent of our energy coming from sources like coal, natural gas, and oil. Though, slowly but surely we are shifting our focus to more sustainable methods. Avenues like solar power, hydroelectricity, and wind power show great promise. Unfortunately, we aren’t shifting fast enough. Now more than ever do we need alternative energy sources. Cities all over the world are churning and consuming large amounts of energy, and someday we won’t be able to feed them all. The time is now for innovation and sustainability to consolidate. It's time to tap into the world’s power.

All inexhaustible resources are renewable, but not all renewable resources are inexhaustible. Natural resources that fit under this category are those that are in endless supply.

BREAKING WHAT IS IT? IT DOWN Generating solar power is the Solar power has process of converting the sun’s many advantages energy into electricity. Each panel compared to other contains photovoltaic cells, which sources of energy. use photons (particles of light) to It is pollution knock electrons from atoms. This, in free, emitting no turn, generates electricity. greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. It is inexhaustible clean energy with a good return on investment. The production of panels creates jobs while the panel itself can last for up to 30 years without maintenance. On the other hand, the initial installation and equipment is costly, and the panel must be large in order to produce sufficient energy. During the night, cloudy days, and winter, the panel will not get enough sunlight.

BREAKING IT DOWN Hydroelectricity is one of the most reliable sources of energy. Water is a clean inexhaustible energy source so it doesn’t generate pollution. It can function as flood control, a recreational area, and can be used for irrigation. Hydroelectricity also has a high return on investment. Some disadvantages include the WHAT IS IT? disruption of water Hydroelectricity is generated by the flow, which may force of moving or falling water. Water is usually held behind a dam to form a affect fish reservoir. As the water is released, the water forces turbines to spin, which are migratory patterns. connected to a generator. Once the water moves past the turbines, it flows into a In addition, river. Other forms use tidal waves as the force of water. siltation can occur, which may ruin water quality. There are limited places in the world where plants can be built., and the construction may destroy the environment.

WHAT IS IT? In the process of wind energy, turbines are established in open areas. When wind blows, it turns three blades, which spin a shaft connected to a generator. The generator then conducts electricity. BREAKING Wind is a clean energy source, meaning it doesn’t contribute to IT DOWN carbon dioxide emissions. The process is sustainable as wind forms as a result of the rotation of the earth and heating of the atmosphere. Wind power is also one of the lowest priced renewable energies out there, making it cost effective. On the other hand, there may be more profitable uses for the land wind turbines are on. Moving blades may kill birds. Also, profits may vary as wind is inconsistent.

Resources that can be naturally replenished are known as renewable energy. Power that falls into this category includes solar, wind, and hydroelectricity.

WHAT IS IT? BREAKING IT DOWN Biomass power is “carbon neutral electricity” Along with being renewable, biomass generated from organic reduces carbon emissions as the material.The material is materials are a natural part of the either burned to release the carbon cycle. It is also abundant and heat or converted to liquid can be converted into multiple biofuels such as Ethanol and different fuel sources., while also biodiesel. Solid biomass reducing waste. However, the process includes wood and waste. is not completely clean and can pollute the environment. The return on investment is low and production of these materials requires a lot of space. Also, deforestation is possible.

WHAT IS IT? BREAKING IT DOWN Geothermal energy is powered by heat from the Geothermal energy is an inexhaustible earth. In this process, heat resource, so it will never run out. pumps tap beneath the Unlike solar and wind, it’s stable as we earth’s surface to the high are able to predict the power output. temperatures underground Installation and operation also does not and relay them to where cause much damage to the environment. energy is needed. Unfortunately, greenhouse gases can escape to the surface and contribute to *This energy is inexhaustible even carbon dioxide emissions. Operation of though it’s in this section* the plant may require a lot of electricity and the cost of this may be high, deterring use.

Nonrenewable energy consists of resources that cannot be renewed at a rate sustainable for the population.

BREAKING IT DOWN Oil has a high return on investment and can be used for most anything. Along with having a high energy density, it’s easily available as there is a large infrastructure in existence for the transport. Production is also cheap. On WHAT IS IT? the other hand, oil contributes heavily to Oil is a popular fossil fuel and an important commodity. It’s extracted carbon dioxide from the ground in the form of crude oil and then sent to a refinery to be emissions and can emit processed into petroleum products. other harmful toxins hazardous to human health. There is also the threat of oil spillage, which pollutes the environment. Finally, substances created with oil can be toxic themselves like plastic.

BREAKING IT DOWN So far, there is a large amount of coal in existence with mining creating jobs for millions. Coal is also cheap and easily mined. Many of infrastructures are designed to use coal, making it the preferential option. On the other hand, being another fossil fuel, it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and other toxic gases, which can lead to health concerns. This energy source is also full of impurities and can leave behind ash. WHAT IS IT? Coal is a combustible sedimentary rock formed over millions of years from heat and pressure compressing dead plants. Once burned, heat energy is released.

BREAKING IT DOWN Natural gas has lower carbon dioxide emissions and is cleaner than other fossil fuels. It can effectively be used for heating and is more reliable than electricity. It is also less expensive. Unfortunately, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas, and there is a limited existence. Exploration for more gas can destroy sediment and the environment. Also, hydraulic fracturing, a process to extract the gas, can be disastrous for the environment. WHAT IS IT? Natural gas is a fossil fuel formed beneath the earth’s surface. A large part of natural gas is methane. Gas can be used to make materials, fuel, and chemicals.

BREAKING IT DOWN On the bright side, the process of nuclear energy does not result in any carbon dioxide emissions. It is a reliable source of electricity and the production generates millions of jobs, stimulating the economy. Sadly, plants can generate tons of containers of nuclear waste. This waste has a WHAT IS IT? long ½ life, Nuclear energy is a result of the fission of the element which means it Uranium into fragments. Taking place in a reactor, the process could take heats water into steam, which turns a turbine and generates thousands of electricity. years to decay. Along with this, accidents can occur and radiation can escape, causing cancers like Thyroid cancer.

Website & Image Links https://energy.techno-science.ca/img/content/3.3.1.6.A.L2a_Sir_Adam_Beck_power_station_Niagar a_(OPG).jpg http://www.bqlive.co.uk/resizer/-1/-1/true/1503329724278.jpg--.jpg?1503329724000 http://pluspng.com/img-png/sun-png-sun-png-clipart-png-image-1440.png http://www.i2clipart.com/cliparts/7/6/4/1/clipart-water-droplet-256x256-7641.png https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/draasticroleplay/images/2/21/Normal_ian-symbol-weather-wind-0 2.png/revision/latest?cb=20180218221949 http://pngimg.com/uploads/tree/tree_PNG216.png https://wallimpex.com/data/out/333/water-wallpaper-hd-7095328.jpg https://pngimage.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/stream-of-water-png-3.png https://content.speedway.com/documents/TemplateFiles/images/fuel_savings/fuel-savings-pump.pn g https://www.utilities-me.com/sites/default/files/utme/images/2018/01/08/geothermal.jpg https://www.silveusfinancial.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/green-maize-corn-field-plantation-in-s ummer-PKRHGKQ.jpg http://inexhaustible-resources.com/list-of-inexhaustible-resources/ https://news.streetroots.org/sites/default/files/styles/article_image_full/public/Oil_BWWEB.jpg?itok= HyNcPthb https://timedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/coal-regulations-jobs.jpg https://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/propane-gas-flame-from-a-bunsen-burner- david-parker.jpg https://3c1703fe8d.site.internapcdn.net/newman/csz/news/800/2016/thefutureofn.jpg https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog/how-does-solar-power-work-anyway https://www.sepco-solarlighting.com/blog/bid/115086/Solar-Power-Advantages-and-Disadvantages https://www.tvakids.com/electricity/hydro.htm http://www.envirothonpa.org/documents/19bHydropowerAdvantagesandDisadvantages.pdf www.energy.gov/eere/wind/how-do-wind-turbines-work http://kohilowind.com/kohilo-university/201-wind-energy-benefits-challenges/ https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/?page=biomass_home https://www.renewableresourcescoalition.org/biomass-energy-advantages-disadvantages/ https://planetsave.com/2016/02/11/geothermal-energy-advantages-and-disadvantages/ http://www.greenworldinvestor.com/2011/07/07/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-oil-cons-disregar ded-by-powerful-lobbies/ https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.php?page=coal_home https://vittana.org/14-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-coal http://www.cgcohio.com/news/advantages-disadvantages-natural-gas https://www.nei.org/fundamentals/what-is-nuclear-energy