Deck 18: Renewable Energy Resources

Question 1

Fuel cells represent the most promising way to use hydrogen.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Photovoltaic systems are characterized by all of the following except

A)directly converting sunlight into electricity.
B)minimal maintenance.
C)producing no pollution.
D)functioning on cloudy or rainy days.
E)minimal space requirement for large-scale use.

Answer 2

minimal space requirement for large-scale use.

Question 3

What type of heating system is illustrated below for this home in Santa Fe, NM?

A)geothermal
B)wind turbine
C)passive solar
D)nonrenewable
E)hydropower

Answer 3

passive solar

Question 4

All of the following are disadvantages of photovoltaic solar cell technology except

A)the manufacturing process requires toxic industrial chemicals.
B)the amount of land needed to hold the number of solar panels required for large-scale use.
C)each panel's low efficiency at converting solar energy to electricity.
D)the steadily increasing manufacturing cost per watt over the last 35 years.
E)the carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to greenhouse gases.

Question 5

What type of solar energy system is illustrated below?

A)passive solar heating system
B)photovoltaic solar cell system
C)solar thermal electric generation
D)solar-generated hydrogen fuel cell
E)radiant energy convection solar heating system

Question 6

Passive solar heating refers to using

A)the sun's energy, collected by solar panels, to generate electricity
B)plant and animal material as fuel to generate heat
C)sun's energy to heat building without pumps or fans to distribute the heat
D)recycled water to cool the nuclear reactor in power plants
E)solar-generated hydrogen to produce water and heat

Question 7

In rural areas of developing countries, photovoltaic cells are used for all of the following purposes except

A)charging batteries.
B)heating hot water heaters.
C)providing refrigeration for vaccines.
D)grinding grain.
E)pumping water.

Question 8

All of the following are challenges that face the application of fuel cell technology for motor vehicles except

A)the size and weight of the fuel cell is prohibitive for use in automobiles.
B)fuel cells are expensive.
C)hydrogen is extremely volatile so safety issues must be addressed.
D)infrastructure for refueling is not in place.
E)the ability of the fuel cell to store more than a fixed amount of energy.

Question 9

What type of solar heating system would be most efficient at producing high-temperature water for industrial applications or steam to run turbines that generate electricity?

A)fuel cells that directly convert chemical energy into electricity.
B)biomass generators that burn natural materials to generate heat.
C)solar thermal electric generation systems using mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight to heat water.
D)passive solar systems that use building design to maximize winter sunlight to heat water.
E)convection solar heating systems that circulate warm air throughout the liquid.

Question 10

What type of solar system, illustrated below, is supplying 10% of Georgetown University's electricity?

A)Photovoltaic cell system
B)Passive solar heating system
C)Forced air re-circulating system
D)Nonrenewable radiant energy system
E)Biomass conversion solar system

Question 11

As illustrated below, the electrodes in a fuel cell system

A)provide oxygen for energy-releasing chemical reactions.
B)provide a flow of negatively charged electrons to generate electricity.
C)extract hydrogen atoms from a variety of chemical substrates.
D)convert diatomic hydrogen into water.
E)convert diatomic oxygen into water.

Question 12

Buildings that use passive solar heating systems must be well insulated so that the accumulated heat does not escape.

Question 13

What is the fuel that is used to power a fuel cell?

A)direct solar input
B)propane
C)oxygen
D)uranium
E)hydrogen

Question 14

Solar thermal energy systems are inherently more efficient than photovoltaic solar cell systems because solar thermal systems

A)diminish reliance on fossil fuel systems.
B)reduce the potential of global warming.
C)do not have any moving parts.
D)concentrate the sun's energy.
E)do not produce any air pollution.

Question 15

____________ uses solar energy to heat a fluid and then transfer the solar heat directly to an interior space.

Question 16

The best example of an energy storage element in a solar energy system is the

A)natural gas in a propane tank that can be used for cooking.
B)structural overhang that blocks sunlight in a passively cooled home.
C)insulated windows in a passively heated solar home.
D)hot water tank of a solar hot water system.
E)sun-tracking mirrors in a power tower system.

Question 17

According to the data below, which of these technologies has the highest cost per kilowatt-hour?

A)hydropower
B)solar thermal
C)nuclear power
D)photovoltaics
E)coal

Question 18

________ directly convert chemical energy into electricity.

Question 19

Fuel cells produce electricity 1. that cannot be stored and must be used immediately.
2. indefinitely, as long as they are supplied with fuel (hydrogen).
3. from fossil fuel added to the chemical reaction.
4. from solar energy that has been stored as chemical energy.

A)1 only
B)2 only
C)3 only
D)4 only
E)2 and 4

Question 20

An example of a building design taking advantage of passive solar potential is

A)installing energy efficient central cooling and heating systems.
B)positioning window overhangs to shade in summer while allowing winter sun to penetrate the building.
C)removing insulation from walls and attic.
D)replacing decorative lawns with drought tolerant landscaping.
E)painting the building a light color in the summer and a dark color in the winter.

Question 21

A form of renewable energy that relies on flowing or falling water to generate electricity is known as __________.

Question 22

Why is biomass an attractive source of energy?

A)a shift to biofuels from petroleum-based fuels would be seamless
B)it makes use of waste products, reducing waste disposal problems
C)it reduces our dependence on fossil fuels
D)it produces lower levels of sulfur and ash than coal combustion
E)all of these choices

Question 23

A major concern of wind power is the deaths of birds and bats.

Question 24

The disadvantages of using wind energy to generate electricity include all of the following except

A)windmills kill birds.
B)generation of sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.
C)degradation of an area's scenic beauty.
D)tying up large parcels of land.
E)distance to urban centers where electricity is most needed.

Question 25

Problems associated with large hydropower dams and reservoirs include all of the following except

A)relocation of peoples' homes
B)ecosystem destruction
C)loss of biodiversity
D)air pollution
E)disruption of fish migration

Question 26

What conclusion can be drawn from analysis of the data shown below?

A)If the current trend continues, the world wind energy-generating capacity in 2020 will doubled.
B)The growth of global wind energy consumption is linked to global economy.
C)Global wind energy-generating capacity has consistently increased in the last 10 years.
D)Global wind energy-generating capacity has consistently decreased in the last 10 years.
E)Global wind energy-generating capacity has fluctuated considerably in the last 10 years.

Question 27

Whereas the energy from some renewable sources come from physical processes (moving wind or water), the energy from biomass ultimately comes from

A)the sun's radiant energy driving photosynthesis.
B)a nonrenewable energy source.
C)fossil fuels.
D)man-made chemicals.
E)nuclear reactions.

Question 28

Wind energy is a direct form of solar energy.

Question 29

According to the definition of biomass, which of the following cannot be considered a biomass fuel?

A)charcoal
B)hydrogen
C)wood
D)animal dung
E)peat

Question 30

Which of the following is more efficient (90%)than any other energy source for producing electricity?

A)hydropower
B)wind energy
C)photovoltaic
D)passive solar
E)geothermal

Question 31

________ is a mixture of different gases produced by the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen.

Question 32

Biomass is composed of

A)nonrenewable materials.
B)liquid chemicals.
C)greenhouse gases.
D)soil and water.
E)organic material from plants and animals.

Question 33

What type of renewable energy source is being gathered by the women pictured below?

A)geothermal
B)active solar
C)herbivory
D)biomass
E)biogas

Question 34

What is the fossil fuel cost of powering a wind turbine?

A)75%
B)50%
C)25%
D)10%
E)0%

Question 35

Which of the following is not a current or planned use for the electricity generated by fuel cells?

A)to run automobiles
B)to power cell phones
C)to replace nuclear technology
D)to lessen dependence on fossil fuels
E)to run city buses

Question 36

All of the following have potential to produce geothermal energy except

A)volcanoes
B)geysers
C)hot springs
D)tides
E)deep ocean hydrothermal vents

Question 37

Islands, coastal areas, mountain passes, and grasslands are areas very well suited for harnessing wind energy.

Question 38

Diesel fuel burns much cleaner than biodiesels.

Question 39

Which of the following biomass energy sources is incorrectly matched with its biofuel product?

A)sugar cane: alcohol
B)oil used to make French fries: biodiesel
C)clay: biogas
D)manure: methane
E)wood: charcoal

Question 40

The major advantage of a fuel cell over a standard battery is that

A)fuel cells are less expensive to produce and operate than standard batteries.
B)a fuel cell generates electricity without the need for positive or negative electrodes but batteries have these electrodes.
C)fuel cells produce power as long as they are supplied with fuel whereas batteries store a fixed amount of energy.
D)fuel cells generate small amounts of CO₂ and sulfur oxide emissions compared to the large amounts emitted by standard batteries.
E)fuel cells do not have any advantages over standard batteries

Question 41

Which of the following transportation alternatives would achieve the greatest energy conservation at the end of one week?

A)carpooling to work with 3 other people
B)driving by yourself, but at lower than posted speeds
C)driving by yourself in a smaller, more fuel-efficient car
D)driving yourself using a low octane gas in the car
E)driving yourself in a new hybrid car

Question 42

Ground-Effect heat pumps are central heating and/or cooling system that transfers heat to or from the ground.

Question 43

Energy efficiency is defined as

A)energy that escapes in an unusable form.
B)energy in bonds broken (minus)energy in bonds formed.
C)using fossil fuels instead of renewable alternative energy.
D)using less energy to accomplish a given task, by using new technology, for example.
E)using less energy by reducing energy use and waste, for example.

Question 44

___________ are underground zones of porous rock containing hot water and steam, and can be naturally occurring or human-made.

Question 45

_________ is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of the tides into electricity or other useful forms of power.

Question 46

Which of the following best describes how this geothermal heat pump works?

A)the pressure of hot water from a deep well turns a turbine and generates electricity.
B)Steam separated from hot water pumped from underground turns a turbine and generates electricity.
C)water is transferred from a deep well to a coil exposed to solar radiation to heat the water sufficiently to generate steam, which turns a turbine and generates electricity
D)a pipe with heated oil is sent deep into Earth to initiate a volcanic eruption then is tapped so that the energy can be used to generate electricity.
E)water is transferred from a deep well into a hot water tank, which is kept at a constant temperature by combustion of natural gas.

Question 47

Which of the following is a good energy efficiency practice for those with existing homes?

A)replace the existing insulation with a higher quality product.
B)board up windows on the north, east and west sides of the house.
C)install a gas-burning fireplace in the family room.
D)pour a concrete foundation between the ground and subfloor of the home
E)dial down the water heater's thermostat to knock 3-5 percent off your energy bill

Question 48

Comparatively, which of the following energy resources has the overall lowest operating costs, lowest environmental impact, and highest efficiency?

A)tidal energy
B)geothermal energy
C)photovoltaics
D)nuclear power
E)fossil fuels

Question 49

Where does the energy needed to run a geothermal plant in California originate?

A)solar
B)subsurface coal mining
C)photovoltaic cell
D)geysers
E)volcanism

Question 50

Which of the following actions is mismatched with its type of energy savings?

A)setting the thermostat on the hot water heater lower: energy conservation
B)turning off lights when a room is not in use: energy conservation
C)replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent: energy efficiency
D)"superinsulating" a building: energy efficiency
E)installing a new condensing furnace to replace a conventional gas furnace: energy conservation

Question 51

Tidal energy cannot become a significant resource worldwide because

A)the accompanying tidal waves cause too much environmental destruction.
B)the equipment required to harness this energy is not yet
C)few areas have large enough differences in water level between high and low tides to make power generation feasible.
D)sand damages the equipment
E)tidal energy can become a significant resource worldwide.

Question 52

The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act

A)sets national energy efficiency standards for refrigerators, washing machines, ovens and other appliances.
B)mandates the recycling of "waste" heat in all domestic devices such as refrigerators, freezers, and microwaves.
C)offers rebates to homeowners who install renewable energy sources such as solar panels in their homes.
D)changes the regulations that govern electric utilities allowing these companies to make more money by generating less electricity.
E)provides for infrastructure improvement of electric grids to recover 10 percent of electricity lost during transmission.

Question 53

The United States is the world's largest producer of geothermal electricity.

Question 54

Geothermal energy

A)is derived from solar energy.
B)is rises is sea surface temperature.
C)is a byproduct of subsurface mining operations.
D)capitalizes on Earth's internal temperature.
E)is generated through earthquakes

Question 55

The diagram below is an energy efficient technology called

A)a biogas digester.
B)unlimited renewable energy for consumers.
C)energy star labeling program (ESLP).
D)cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP).
E)mass-to-energy system.

Question 56

____________ is using less energy to accomplish a given task.

Question 57

Energy efficiency is using less energy by reducing energy use and waste.

Question 58

All of the following are options to conserve energy at home except

A)improve insulation.
B)install double paned windows.
C)keep a beverage refrigerator in the garage.
D)use thermal lined curtains.
E)caulk cracks on exterior of home.

Question 59

Which of these appliances' annual use is the least energy efficient?

A)television
B)water heater
C)refrigerator
D)washing machine
E)clothes dryer

Question 60

The Hearst Tower in New York was designed to achieve a degree of energy efficiency 26% higher than that of standard office buildings earning

A)a Solar Standard Achievement Award.
B)a U.S. Green Building grant.
C)Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)certification.
D)an "A" low-toxicity compliance rating.
E)the Energy Star qualified building designation.

Question 61

Identify the devise pictured below. Explain how it generates electricity and discuss some of the advantages and challenges associates with its application to common energy needs.

Question 62

What is the purpose of the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA)? For a washing Machine the EF (energy factor)Indicates the number of complete cycles a washer will operate while using one kilowatt-hour of electricity. The current federal standard for energy efficient washers is an EF of 1.5, while Energy Star washers require an EF of 2.5. Explain why the Energy star appliance results in energy conservation.

Question 63

Which of the following is the most promising solution to our current and future energy needs?

A)tapping into fossil fuel reserves
B)revert to using only biomass fuels
C)federal economic stimulus money to purchase newer cars
D)conservation and increased efficiency
E)deciding on one renewable resource for investment and development

Question 64

Each of the homes pictured below have taken a different approach to energy efficiency and energy conservation. Identify and distinguish between the two approaches, giving the pros and cons of each tactic. A
B

Question 65

The electric company approaches you with a proposition to allow a wind farm installation on your available property in the Great Plains. Identify one advantage and one disadvantage of agreeing to a "wind farm" on your property. Suggest three alternative geographic places suitable for wind farm development.

Question 66

Define biomass and outline biomass fuel use as a source of energy. What are some of the environmental problems associated with obtaining energy from biomass?

Question 67

According to the U.S. map below of average daily total of annual solar energy, which state is least suited for producing electricity from solar energy?

A)Nebraska
B)New York
C)New Mexico
D)North Carolina
E)North Dakota

Question 68

Many people think that our emphasis should shift from finding alternative sources of energy to increasing the energy efficiency and energy conservation. Distinguish between these two terms and provide examples of what consumers can be doing to improve your energy efficiency and energy conservation.

Question 69

Electric meters can run backward for homeowners participating in net metering. What does this mean?

A)homeowners receive meter credit for excess energy they generate and supply to the utility's power grid
B)the up front costs for installing renewable energy is recovered by rewinding the home's electric meter
C)if a homeowner uses less energy in one month than the previous month, then the difference is subtracted from the electric meter
D)homeowners who voluntarily cut back on air conditioning use are granted an electric credit
E)a radio controlled electric meter for remote monitoring allows the utility company to stop the meter during peak demand periods

Question 70

Solar technologies can provide many services for homes. Define four consumer solar technologies and discuss their applications in improving a home's energy efficiency. Discuss the advantages and the drawbacks for each technologies implementation.