ATM S 111 Lecture 16: Alternative Energy

• School: UW
• Department: Atmospheric Sciences
• Course: ATM S 111
• Professor: Casey Cathlee Hilgenbrink

Document Summary

Alternative energy: wind power, rapidly growing in europe & the us. Intermittent: not available everywhere, obstructs views/noise paranoia, hazard to birds? (probably not if placed away from migration zones, requires large areas. Solar power: types, passive solar: doesn"t use mechanical or electrical equipment, uses sunlight to reduce heating/lighting/ventilation costs, e. g. south-facing windows (in northern hemisphere) for more winter sunlight. Solar thermal collection: produces steam for electricity, or hot water/warm air for homes, industry. Solar photovoltaic: generates electricity directly from sunlight, type 2: solar power towers. "power tower" plant outside madrid: mirrors heat steam in the central tower that drives a turbine: type 3: photovoltaics. "photovoltaic" solar cells: growing rapidly in europe, japan, china, expense is an issue: uses pricey raw materials. Long lasting (low maintenance cost: cons, expensive now. Kenya: very steady source (no problems with intermittency, growing steadily, pros, reliable supply, relatively simple facilities.