A powerpoint created to educate those who have little or no knowledge on the facts, benefits & reasons for incorporating renewable energy sources.

1. Renewable Energy For The Average Citizen Prepared by Joe Rando

3. They come from things we take for granted each day like: the sun’s rays, the power of the wind, the molten core of our earth & water’s gravitational flow.

5. Types of Renewable Energy There are many types of Alternative Energy sources being put to use today, with the major contributors being: Solar Wind Geothermal Hydro In further slides we will explore a bit of how each energy source works & what they have to offer the increasing energy demand we face. First we must understand why we need Renewables.

7. The resources we rely on are depleting and will soon run out.

8. We are dependent on foreign countries to import fuel.

9. The 3 main sources: oil, coal and natural gas make up approximately 88% of the world’s energy usage, leaving us helpless when they do run out.

11. Facts & Benefits of Solar Energy Extremely reliable Very low maintenance It is a clean & easily accessible energy source Government tax credits & incentives Ability to store your excess electricity for future use Option to sell power back to electric providers reducing the need for power plants Freedom from power companies and opportunity to reduce or eliminate utility bills

12. Solar Thermal Solar PV

13. Wind Energy How does it work? Wind generated electricity begins with the resistance of the blades against the wind rotating a shaft which carries the energy to the generator where the kinetic energy (energy of motion) is transformed into electricity. How you may ask? Well as the rotating blades turn the shaft they cause magnets to rotate around a conductor which produces current. As the voltage is produced by the current it is forced through conductive wires to your home.

14. Facts & Benefits of Wind Energy Most inexpensive source of energy Compliments solar power well Clean energy Low maintenance cost World’s fastest growing renewable energy source past 10 years Provides income for citizens of rural areas Free source of energy that eliminates the association with volatile fossil fuel prices Can be harnessed and used efficiently on large or small scales

16. Geothermal Energy Where does it mean and how does it work? Geo, the Greek word for earth Therm, the Greek word for heat It literally comes from the heat below the Earth’s surface generated from decay in the Earth’s core. Shallow “hot spots” such as volcanoes and geysers are exploited and tapped with deep wells. Pumps are then used to bring the fluid to the surface where the immense heat of the fluid than creates steam to turn turbines which creates current for electricity production.

17. Facts & Benefits of Geothermal Energy Economical development in rural areas Can be used for heating purposes in home and businesses Used for agricultural purposes such as greenhouses Good use of land in rural areas Provides constant comfort & balances heat Low maintenance costs No external condensing pumps= silent operation

19. Hydropower It is easy to guess, from the name, where the energy comes from but how does it work? Yes it comes from water. More importantly water’s gravitational flow or desire to flow down stream. Dams are built to hold back water but when the water is released it is fed through large turbines at the base of the dam which use the water’s intense flow to turn the turbines and generate large amounts of electricity.

20. Facts & Benefits of Hydropower Energy Can generate energy on demand by opening and closing gates Reservoirs provide opportunity for recreational activities Reservoirs also provide water for irrigation purposes Can be utilized on large or small scale operations Currently supplies 10-13% of U.S. electricity Powering approximately 35 million households Provides flood control, wildlife refuges & transportation Also provides a steady source of drinking water Local form of energy

22. Benefits of Renewable Energy Provide a stable, low cost for electricity Very minimal environmental impact Inexhaustible sources of energy Helps developing third world countries Reduces our dependency of foreign oil Cuts down carbon emissions Creates jobs for a new industry Better return on investment than any bank Government tax incentives Low maintenance Reduce or eliminate utility bills

23. Why do we need Renewable Energy? If we continue forward with out present energy usage, we will leave future generations with: An unstable climate, due to ocean currents that are changing. An unhealthy & heavily polluted environment. Unpredictable storm systems & seasons. The need to fight for depleted fossil fuel reserves.

24. The next few slides show: U.S. energy usage vs. production Global carbon emissions by year U.S. carbon emissions by year Amount of resources left by our demand

25. U.S. Energy Usage

26. U.S. Energy Production

31. Conclusion If we don’t begin to implement use of alternative energy sources we are willingily allowing our planet to be destroyed. By increasing our use of Renewable Energy we can create jobs, stop Global Warming and provide future generations with a stepping stone to end our energy crisis. We have the opportunity to supply our demands with clean, environmentally friendly energy. That is harnessed from natural, free abundant resources. We can make a difference, but the time is now! Thank you.