Renewable Energy

To extend oil supplies, developed countries have begun mining and processing tar sands. How does the extraction of tar sands oil compare to conventional crude oil?

• Tar sands oil has a much higher EROI, keeping gas prices low.

• Tar sands oil has a smaller carbon footprint and is less polluting.

• Tar sands oil has a much higher land footprint.

• The two sources of oil have identical advantages and drawbacks.

The headwaters and reservoir of the dam. (Refer to the diagram of the hydroelectric dam.)

Spins as water passes through it. Attached to a generator. (Refer to the diagram of the hydroelectric dam.)

How does the presence of the dam impact the characteristics of the water in section A?

• Water velocity increases.

• Water velocity decreases.

• Sediments settle out of the water.

• More sediments dissolve into the water.

• The water warms and undergoes more evaporation.

Which section of a river is the least impacted by the presence of one or more dams built along it?

• The source or headwaters.

• The floodplain in the transition zone.

• The mouth, especially if a delta is present.

What is the purpose of building a pumped storage area near a hydroelectric dam?

• To increase the constant supply of electricity produced by the dam.

• To make the electricity output of a dam more adjustable based on demand.

• To reduce the risk of the dam running dry during a drought.

• To reduce sedimentation behind the dam itself.

Tidal power plants are another form of hydrokinetic energy. Where are they built?

• At the headwaters or source of a river.

• Within a floodplain of a river.

• At an estuary near the mouth of a river.

• In the ocean, above a shallow sea ecosystem.

What are the two most significant ecological impacts of tidal power plants?

• Reducing nutrient and sediment transportation.

• Inhibiting movement of organisms along the ecosystem.

• Flooding a large area of land upstream of the dam.

• Blocking any water from the river reaching the ocean at all.

Wind power generates electricity by…

• Boiling water to generate steam.

• Passing moving water through a turbine.

• Passing moving air through a turbine.

• Directly converting matter in the air into electric current.

What two advantages do offshore wind farms have over those on land?

• Smaller land footprint.

• Greater output.

• Cheaper to build.

• No noise pollution or disruption of scenery.