Alternative Energy

for Colorado
By: Cem, Julia, Shivani, Victor
Percentage of Electricity Generated
Natural Gas: 22%

Coal: 59%

Colorado does not use nuclear energy.

Coal
Coal is obtained by mining in underground
areas like caves
Efficiency: 38-47%
Coal is burned up to create steam. The
steam turns a turbine in a generator. The
turbine spins a magnet which creates a
magnetic field that electrifies the wire.
Electricity flows through high voltage
transformers.
Positives and Negatives of Coal
Positives
We already have things like coal mines near railroads,
pipelines and power plants to get or deliver coal from
place to place
Fossil Fuels generate much more energy than renewable
resources
Coal is one of the cheapest sources of energy
Negatives
It releases carbon dioxide
Produces water pollution
Coal mining contributes to acid rain
Positives and Negatives of Wind
Positives
Good for people who live in windy places
Good for people who want to power their own
homes
Its also a renewable energy source
Negatives
Birds and bats get caught and killed
They must rely on other sources when the wind
is not blowing
Its noisy
Alternative Energy Source 1: Wind
Wind energy is harvested from the
movement from the wind
Its obtained when the wind blows
The wind spins a turbine it turns a small
generator which creates electricity
Efficiency: 20%
Alternative Energy Source 2 Biomass
Biomass is organic material used as a fuel for
energy.
Obtained by burning organic material or
garbage.
The energy released by the burning is
transformed into energy.
22-40%
Positives and Negatives to Biomass
Positives
Its renewable
Its clean energy
Biomass is also abundant
Negatives
Its harmful to the environment
Biomass is expensive
It requires more land
Alternative Energy Source 3: Solar
Solar energy is the energy created by the
sun
Its obtained by the use of solar panels
The sun beams energy into the solar
panels which creates electricity
Efficiency: 10-20%
Positives and Negatives of Solar
Positives
It does not pollute
Its renewable
Its environmentally friendly to harness
Negatives
On cloudy days you dont get energy
At night you wont get energy
They require vast areas for them to be built
Hydroelectric
Hydroelectric energy is energy created
by flowing water converting into electrons
Its obtained by dams
The water flows through a pen stalk
through the turbine and into electricity
Efficiency: 95%
 Positives and Negatives to
Hydroelectric energy
Positives
We have 75% of water on our planet
Its cheap because its around the world
Its easy to use
Negatives
Lack of sediment deposition
Changes in water temperature
They destroy beaches for Hydroelectric energy
Our Choice
We think that hydroelectric is the best energy
source for Colorado because that state has
mountains that have rivers flowing down the side
of it.
Positives and Negatives for Hydroelectric
Positives
We have 75% of water on our planet
Its cheap because its around the world
Its easy to use
Negatives
Lack of sediment deposition
Changes in water temperature
They destroy beaches for Hydroelectric energy
THE END

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