APES Unit 6: Renewable Energy Resources

Biomass

Energy derived from organic material containing stored chemical energy from the sun.

Modern Carbon

Carbon recently captured from the atmosphere via photosynthesis, considered carbon neutral when burned.

Fossil Carbon

Carbon stored in fossil fuels for millions of years, adding new carbon to the atmosphere when burned.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Airborne particles that can be harmful to human health and are released when burning solid biomass.

Ethanol

A biofuel produced by fermenting plant starches, commonly mixed with gasoline.

Biodiesel

A renewable fuel derived from vegetable oils or recycled grease, used in diesel engines.

Passive Solar Design

Architectural design that uses natural elements without moving parts to heat buildings.

Active Solar Energy

System that uses mechanical devices to collect or store solar energy.

Photovoltaic (PV) Cells

Devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductors.

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)

Solar technology that uses mirrors to focus sunlight to generate steam for electricity.

Hydroelectric Power

Electricity generated by harnessing the kinetic energy of moving water.

Impoundment (Dams)

Hydropower generation method where water is stored in a reservoir and controlled for electricity production.

Run-of-River (Diversion)

Hydropower system that directs a portion of a river through a canal without significant storage.

Geothermal Energy

Energy harnessed from the Earth's internal heat generated by the radioactive decay of elements.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Systems that use the Earth's constant temperature to heat or cool buildings.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Devices that generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, producing water as the only emission.

Kinetic Energy

Energy that a body possesses due to its motion, utilized in hydroelectric power generation.

Siltation

Build-up of sediments behind a dam that reduces water capacity and nutrient flow downstream.

Fish Ladders

Engineering solutions designed to help fish migrate past barriers such as dams.

Methane Release

The process by which decomposing organic matter in reservoirs releases methane gas.

Net Energy

The total amount of energy available from a source after accounting for the energy used in its extraction and processing.

Wind Energy

Energy produced by converting the kinetic energy of wind into electricity.

Offshore Wind

Wind energy generated by turbines located in bodies of water, typically with stronger winds.

NIMBY

An acronym for 'Not In My Backyard', referring to opposition towards local energy projects.

Clean vs. Renewable

Distinction where some renewable sources, like biomass, may not be clean due to pollution produced.

Electricity (DC to AC)

The process PV cells use to convert direct current generated from sunlight into alternating current for use.