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Ch. 21

Terms in this set (17)

Active solar
An approach in which technological devices are used to focus, move, or store solar energy
electrolysis
A process in which electrical current is passed through a compound to release ions. Electrolysis offers one way to produce hydrogen for use as fuel: Electrical current is passed through water, splitting the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
enhanced geothermal systems
A new approach whereby engineers drill deeply into rock, fracture it, pump in water, and then pump it out once it is heated below ground. This approach would enable us to obtain geothermal energy in any location.
feed-in-tariff
A system whereby utilities are mandated to buy power from anyone who can generate power from renewable energy sources and feed it into the electric grid. When prices are set at a premium, this can act as a powerful mechanism to promote the spread of renewable energy technologies.
geothermal energy
Renewable energy that is generated deep within Earth. The radioactive decay of elements amid the extremely high pressures and temperatures at depth generate heat that rises to the surface in magma and through fissures and cracks. Where this energy heats groundwater, natural eruptions of heated water and steam are sent up from below.
green collar jobs
Jobs resulting from new employment opportunities in a more sustainably oriented economy, such as jobs in renewable energy.
Ground source heat pumps
A pump that harnesses geothermal energy from near surface sources of earth and water, in order to heat and cool buildings. Operates on the principle that temperatures below ground are more stable than temperatures above ground.
net metering
Process by which owners of houses with photovoltaic systems or wind turbines can sell their excess solar energy or wind energy to their local power utility. whereas feed in tariffs award producers with prices above market rates, net metering offers market rate prices.
not in my backyard
Syndrome in which people do not want something near where they live, even if they may want or need the thing to exist somewhere.
passive solar
An approach in which buildings are designed and building materials are chosen to maximize their direct absorption of sunlight in winter, even as they keep the interior cool in the summer.
ocean thermal energy conversion
A potential energy source that involves harnessing the solar radiation absorbed by tropical oceans in the tropics.
photovoltaic cell
A device designed to collect sunlight and directly convert it to electrical energy by making use of the photoelectric effect
solar energy
energy from the sun. It is perpetually renewable and may be harnessed in several ways.
tidal energy
Energy harnessed by erecting a dam across the outlet of a tidal basin. Water flowing with the incoming or outgoing tide through sluices in the dam turns turbines to generate electricity.
wave energy
Energy harnessed from the motion of wind driven waves at the ocean's surface. Many designs for machinery to harness wave energy have been invented, but few have been adequately tested.
wind energy
Energy from the motion of wind. In this source of renewable energy, the passage of wind through wind turbines is used to generate electricity.
wind turbines
A mechanical assembly that converts the wind's kinetic energy, or energy of motion, into electrical energy.
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