Alternative energy

Alternative EnergySolar Energy

• Sun is an unlimited source of energy

• Sun sends to earth 15 000 times more energy than we produce

• We collect solar energy using solar cells, which are quite expensive. On average, 100cm2 of solar panels produce 0,5V of electricity

Alternative EnergySolar Energy

• There are not many solar power plants plants here in Slovenia

• By the year 2010 they will produce 6,5MW, which is 4,5% of all the electricity produced in Slovenia

• Carinthia region has too little sun exposure for producing large amounts of solar energy

• A lot of potential in the Karst region• There are possibilities for individual households

Alternative EnergySolar Energy

• Good:• It is friendly for environment• It can be used on remote locations

• Bad:• Problems with sun light on northern and southern

hemisphere• Producing solar power is more expensive than

other energy

Alternative EnergyHydroenergy

• Very clean

• Renewable energy

• No CO2 emissions

• Production of around 20% of all electricty

Alternative EnergyHydroenergy

• In Slovenia we have good potential for building these kinds of plants, but the total power produced from hydroeletric plants is only 3,8%

• There are 25 larger hydroelectric plants in Slovenia and a lot of smaller ones

• 4 larger plants in the Carinthia region

Alternative EnergyHydroenergy

• Good:• Very clean• Quite cheap (building is the biggest expense)• Can be stopped anytime• They can be used for up to 100 years

• Bad:• Destruction of the natural habitat of animals and

plants that live in the river• Erosion• Big accumulative lakes

Altrenate EnergyWind Energy

• Clean and renewable

• Not frequently used in Slovenia because of low amount of wind and environmential issues (hazard for birds)

• Wind power plant in Volovja Reber

• Big potential:– In the Karst region– on Pohorje

Alternative EnergyGeothermal Energy

• Cheap energy

• There is a lot of fault lines in Slovenia

• Big potential in the Carinthia, Prekmurje and Celje regions

• Used for heating in spas (for example, Moravske Toplice)

Alternative EnergyBiomass

• Firewood– A lot of potential because of vast amount of forest

(including in the Carinthia region)

– CO2 emissions

• Biodiesel– Produced from cooking oil, grease…– Production in Lendava

• Compost– Production of biogas from compost piles in Letuš

Experimental work

Experimental work

• Measurements:– Toilet kettle volume– Light luminosity

• Calculations:– Water saved if toilet kettle size is reduced– Energy saved if solar collectors/panels are used

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Comparison of expenses between 2008 and 2009

Water• Mostly used for flushing toilets, for which

rainwater could be used (10L per flush)• Toilet kettle could be reduced in size

– 3L smaller kettle would save about 400m3 of water each year

• Average annual consumption: 1500m3

• Possible rainwater collection:– Annual rainfall: 1200mm (1.2m)– Roof surface: 1200m2

– Water collection prediction: 1440m3/year• Self-sufficiency!

Heating

• Average annual consumption: 280MWh– 30000 EUR/year

• Price is rising because of inflation

• Solar collectors could be placed on the roof– Sun-side part of the roof is 600m2

– Self-sufficiency: 300m2

• Investment up to 250000 EUR– Returned in 5 years

Electricity• Average annual consumption: 170MWh

• A single copier uses 1500W of electricity while turned on - even if idle– Same as a whole room

• Solar panels– Sun-side part of the roof is 600m2

– 300m2 would be enough for self-sufficiency• Investment up to 600000 EUR

– Reduced further by country grants– Returned in 10-12 years– Electricity could be sold for triple the purchase price

(additional income for the school)