Mechanical Energy

Hydroelectric
Tides
Waves
Wind

foce x displacement

kinetic and potential

Linear K.E.: The energy of motion from one location to another.
Rotational K.E.: The energy due to rotational motion about the center of mass.

P.E. of form: It is the result of twisting, compressing, stretching, and bending matter out of object’s natural shape.
P.E. of position (gravitational energy): It is the energy of mass caused by its higher elevation relative to its surroundings.

the amount of energy in a system does not change; only its form does

heat or work

the rate at which work is performed?

the watt

work is carried out using less effort by moving a smaller force over greater distances

inclined plane

fulcrum

A smaller force applied to the longer motion at the wheel results in a shorter, more powerful motion at the axle.

F

the measure of losses that may be included while performing a certain work

Reliable
Able to meet varying demand
Clean
Not harmful to species
Reasonable cost

Won’t harm visas and viewscapes
No higher and better use of the land/resource

About 50% of renewable energy use goes to electricity generation
Renewables reduce use of fossil fuels
Reduce or eliminate pollution (particularly air pollution)

Biomass — including wood and wood waste, municipal solid waste, landfill gas, and biogas, ethanol, and biodiesel
Water (hydropower)
Geothermal
Wind
Solar

680,000

flooding
habitats for fish

available
height

impounded plants
pumped storage plants
run-of-the river plants

impound plant

can be used to continuously produce energy or in conjunction with conventional fossil fuels plants

can control water storage and release cycles to conserve energy for peak times

greatly changing water-flow rate downstream from the dam, causing a sudden power surge.

Run-of-river and small-hydro projects are particularly attractive in rural areas with limited demand and away from electrical grid.

Since these plants do not impede water in a reservoir, their environmental impacts are also minimal.

Depends on the natural flow of rivers and waterways.
If the water flow in a stream is reduced, so is the available power output of a hydro turbine placed in the stream.

total power
initial cost
operating cost
cost of transmission

Tidal range must be at least 5 meters
Only about 40 locations have enough tidal range

produces no pollution but can disturb ecosystems

Clean
Renewable
No waste
Protecting coastlines against storm surge
Water Recreation

Intermittent
Disruption in local ecosystem (seabirds and fish habitats

The basic idea of this system consists of specially shaped ramps and wave deflectors that guide waves up into a reservoir.
The water returns to the ocean by the force of gravity via a low-head turbine at the bottom of the structure, which drives an electric generator.

When two bodies of water of different density are separated by a semi-permeable membrane, water molecules move from the fluid at high-water concentration (fresh water) to an area of low-water concentration (salt water). The water rises until the pressure on both sides equalizes. This is called osmosis.
By applying a force on the salty side, the direction of flow can be reversed, squeezing out the fresh water in a process called reverse osmosis desalination.

Replace fossil fuels
Use a waste product as a fuel
Renewable if re-grown

GHG emissions
Air pollution
Fuel input resulting from agriculture (full cost)
Ash disposal

Produce air pollution when the fuel is burned to produce steam or electricity.
Burning garbage releases the chemicals and substances found in the waste.

sewage treatment plants,
waste landfills, and
livestock manure management systems.

Made from biomass (corn)
Added to gas
Can reduce CO
Corn is usually a surplus
Unclear if it is a net reduction of fossil fuels

made from typically recycled wasted vegetable oil,
has lower particulates, higher nitrogen oxides
mixed with diesel fuels