Comenius-Project:

Alternative Energy

General facts

In general there are 3 primary sources of alternative energy:In general there are 3 primary sources of alternative energy:

• thermonuclear compilation of solar energy (photovoltaics, solar spring, chemical usage of solar energy, thermal),

• radioactiv dissolution in the interior of the earth (geothermic energy),

• the action of the planets and involved effects (tidal power stations, energy of the ocean current, sea heat, wave energy, the power of osmosis, barrages).

! The common kind of alternative energy production in Germany is wind ! The common kind of alternative energy production in Germany is wind energyenergy..

Solar Energy

The worldwide growth of renewable energy is enormous.

Within 17 years we are able to be independend on atomic energy.

The most important alternative energy is water power.

The energy output of renewable energy was 62 TWh/year in 2005,that means 10,2 percent (in Germany).

Our alternative energy is made of photovoltaics, wind power, water power and biomass (in 2005).

With our current production of water power we could close 2 atomic power plants.

Solar technology describes the usage of sun energy.

It‘s possible to gain heat and or electric energy.

Local Usage

• Photovoltaics - transformation of radiation energy to electric energy by solar cells solar collectors warming of water and other heat carriers

• Solaroven – boiling with sunlight

• Solar Stirling – transformation of solar thermic energy to mechanic energy by using the Stirling engine

Solar Technology

Industrial solar energy usage

• Solar thermic power plant• Thermic power plant• Free-standing or on factory roof‘s assembled

photovoltaic constructions of [Betreibergesellschaften]

Photovoltaics

• Photovoltaics means the transformation of radiation energy (Sun energy) to electric energy

• first usage by energy supply of satellits (via solarcells) in 1958

• Meanwhile diffused all over the world (roofage, parking ticket machine)

• Photovoltaics Photos (greek „light“) and Volta (by physicist Allessandro Volta)

• Part of the bulked Solar technology technical usage of sun energy

Wind Energy

Structure and functional principle

- tower between 10m up to 100m high

- rotor up to 115m diameter

- wind drives on the rotor blades- the gear box crosses the

comparable small rate of revolutions over to the installed rate of the generator

- the generator transforms the rotation energy into electric current

- minimum wind speed 4m/s

Energy of wind in other countries in comparison to Germany

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Ca

pa

cit

y (

MW

)

United States Europe Rest of World

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Ca

pa

cit

y (

MW

)

United States Europe Rest of World

1. Germany: 14000 MW2. USA: 6374 MW 3. Spain: 5780 MW4. Denmark: 3094 MW5. India: 1900 MW

World-wide 2003: 37220 MW

advantages and disadvantages

• wind is unexhaustable• all day operation is possible• stations can be nearly everywhere

established• minimum wind speed 4 m/s• needs no fuel• no production of pollutants or

greenhouse gases • land can be used for other things:

farming• provides energy for remote places

• only 40% for using• Wind power can’t be stored• it doesn’t produce energy permanent and

continuous• it can be influenced• stations could not be built high as you like• it doesn’t work without any sound• they disturb electromagnetic waves• no optical enrichment• coastal land is expensive

Terrestrial heat

Arrangement of sources

• areas with caloric abnormality • geysers (hot gushers)

• volcanic regions

Terrestrial heat in Germany

The natural conditions for the use of terrestrial heat are very constricted, the investement costs are very high.

Nevertheless it‘s an alternative which can meet about 60 percent of the need.

At this time, 24 major systems with an installed accomplishment between 100 kW and 20 MW are used in germany.

The terrestrial heat industry expects a yearly growth of 14 percent.

Biogas

Biogas typically refers to a (biofuel) gas produced by the anaerobic digestion or fermentation of organic matter including manure, sewage sludge, municipal solid waste, biodegradable waste or any other biodegradable feedstock, under anaerobicconditions. Biogas is comprised primarily of methane and carbon dioxide.

Applications of renewable natural gas

In this form the gas can be now used in any application that natural gas is used for. Such applications include distribution via the natural gas grid, electricity production, space heating, water heating and process heating. If compressed, it can replace compressed natural gas for use in vehicles, where it can fuel an internal combustion engine or fuel cells.

Depending on where it is produced, biogas is also called:•swamp gas •marsh gas •landfill gas •digester gas

Biogas can be used as a vehicle fuel or for generating electricity.