Renewable Energy Honor

Nature Study

Requirements

  1. What is renewable energy? What is its role in conserving the environment?

    Answer: Renewable energies are sources that regenerate naturally in the short term (sun, wind, water, biomass, tides, the Earth's heat). Unlike fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas), they do not run out. Their role: they reduce CO₂ emissions and greenhouse gases, lessen global warming, avoid pollution and dependence on finite fossil fuels. — Brazil has an energy matrix with 84% renewable sources (hydro + wind + solar + biomass) - one of the cleanest in the world. The Paris climate agreement (2015) sets a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Each MWh generated by a renewable source avoids ~700 kg of CO₂ emissions compared to mineral coal, contributing significantly.

  2. Define the following types of energy, citing the advantages and disadvantages of each one:
    • Solar energy
    • Wind energy
    • Hydrogen
    • Biofuels
    • Hydraulic energy
    • Tidal energy
    • Blue energy (osmotic power)
    • Geothermal energy

    Answer: 1) SOLAR - advantage: clean, abundant; disadvantage: depends on the weather and takes up area; 2) WIND - advantage: clean; disadvantage: depends on wind, noise, kills birds; 3) HYDROGEN - advantage: burns without CO₂; disadvantage: expensive to produce; 4) BIOFUELS - advantage: renewable; disadvantage: competes with agricultural land. — Blue energy (osmotic) generates electricity from the salinity difference between fresh and salt water in estuaries - the first experimental plant was inaugurated in Norway in 2009. Tidal power (Rance, France, 1966) is one of the oldest alternatives. Geothermal is dominant in Iceland (66% of the energy). Green hydrogen (electrolysis with renewables) is the current frontier in development worldwide.

  3. What is non-renewable energy? How can this type of energy harm the environment?

    Answer: Non-renewable energy comes from finite sources that take millions of years to form and run out: oil, mineral coal, natural gas, and uranium (nuclear). Harm to the environment: 1) CO₂ emissions and global warming; 2) air pollution (smog, acid rain); 3) oil spills in the seas. — The Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011) accidents illustrate the risks of nuclear energy. The Deepwater Horizon spill (Gulf of Mexico, 2010) released 4 million barrels of oil into the sea. The burning of coal is responsible for 30% of global CO₂ emissions. Fossil fuels take 100-300 million years to form geologically and naturally.

  4. What is the role of solar energy in obtaining other types of energy?

    Answer: Solar energy is the basis of almost all the others: it gives rise to the wind (the uneven heating of the atmosphere = wind energy); the water cycle (evaporation = hydropower); biofuels (the photosynthesis of plants); biomass; and even fossil fuels (formed from ancient plants and animals that were preserved). Only geothermal and nuclear do not depend directly on the Sun. — The Sun supplies the Earth with about 174 petawatts continuously - 10,000 times the global energy consumption. This energy, after reflection and absorption, feeds practically the entire biosphere and the physical cycles. Photosynthesis converted solar energy into biomass which, under geological pressure for millions of years, formed oil, coal, and natural gas - solar fossil fuels.

  5. For some renewable energies, the location of the plant is a factor of great influence on its output. How can this location influence the output?

    Answer: Location greatly influences the result: 1) SOLAR — regions of high solar irradiation (the Northeast of Brazil, the Sahara) yield 30-40% more; 2) WIND — depends on constant, strong wind (the Northeast coast, the southern highlands); 3) HYDRO — requires rivers with a waterfall or drop. — The Brazilian Northeast has the highest solar irradiation in the country (5.5-6 kWh/m²/day) and constant winds on the coast (wind farms in RN, BA, PI, CE). Iceland generates 66% of its electricity from geothermal power. The Rance tidal plant (France) uses tides that vary by 8-13 meters. Without a suitable location, renewable energy loses up to 70% of its possible potential.

  6. What social and environmental impacts can be caused by the implementation of plants for some renewable energies?

    Answer: Impacts: 1) HYDROPOWER - floods large areas, displaces riverside populations, affects aquatic fauna; 2) WIND - noise, kills migratory birds, visual landscape impact; 3) BIOFUELS - compete with food production, can cause deforestation (sugarcane, soy). — The construction of Itaipu (1984) displaced about 10 thousand families and flooded 1,350 km². Wind farms can kill 2-7 birds per turbine/year. Solar panels have a 25-30 year service life and contain cadmium, tellurium, and silicon that need to be recycled - the first Brazilian law on the recycling of solar panels is under discussion in the National Congress.

  7. Choose a renewable energy plant that is in operation and write a report containing the following:
    • Name and location
    • Energy generation capacity
    • Type of energy
    • Advantages and disadvantages of the type of energy
    • Environmental and social impact of the implementation

    Answer: Report on a plant, e.g.: ITAIPU BINACIONAL. 1) Name and location: Itaipu, on the Paraná River, on the border between Brazil and Paraguay. 2) Energy generation capacity: 14 GW (14,000 MW), one of the largest hydroelectric plants in the world. 3) Type of energy: hydropower (hydroelectric), generated by the force of the water that turns the turbines. 4) Advantages and disadvantages: advantages - clean, renewable energy with high continuous output, without burning fuel; disadvantages - it flooded about 1,350 km² to form the reservoir, depends on the rainfall regime, and requires a large initial investment. 5) Environmental and social impact of the implementation: environmental - flooding of forest areas and alteration of the river's fauna and flora; social - the displacement of families and communities that lived in the flooded area, in exchange for job creation, cheap energy for the population, and development of the region. — Itaipu produced 103 TWh in 2016, breaking the world record. It supplies ~10% of Brazil's energy and 86% of Paraguay's. Other large Brazilian plants: Belo Monte (PA, hydro, 11 GW), the Lagoa dos Ventos Wind Complex (PI, 716 MW), the Pirapora Solar Plant (MG, 321 MW). Each one with its own social and environmental challenges documented in the official reports.

  8. Research and practice at least 3 ways to save energy in your home, school, or work.

    Answer: 3 ways to save energy: 1) TURN OFF the lights when leaving a room and use LED bulbs (they consume 80% less than incandescent ones); 2) UNPLUG devices on standby (TV, microwave, computer consume even when turned off - 'vampire energy'); 3) USE appliances in eco mode (washing machine with a full load, air conditioning at 23°C). Practice for 1 month and report to the instructor. — Vampire energy (standby) represents about 12% of Brazilian residential consumption according to Procel. An LED consumes ~9 W versus 60 W for an equivalent incandescent. Air conditioning at 23°C consumes 30% less than at 18°C. Other practices: electric shower on summer mode, fridge away from the stove, short showers, ironing with the clothes stacked up for a single use.

  9. According to Revelation 11:18, what is the future of those who destroy the earth?

    Answer: According to Revelation 11:18, the future of those who destroy the earth is destruction: 'your wrath has come... to destroy those who destroy the earth'. God will judge and destroy those who devastate physical and spiritual creation at the final judgment. The redeemed will receive a reward, but the destroyers will be destroyed by divine wrath at the judgment. — Revelation 11:18 brings poetic justice: those who destroyed the Earth will suffer destruction. Ellen G. White connects this verse to the mandate of stewardship (Gen 2:15) - caring for creation is a Christian duty, and whoever deliberately pollutes or devastates is under judgment. Environmental care has an explicit biblical foundation beyond ethics.