Chapter Questions
Why is it important for renewable-energy sources to replace fossil fuels? What are the prospects for getting it done?
How much solar energy is available, and what happens when it is used? What are some problems with harnessing solar energy?
How do active and passive solar hot-water heaters work?
How can a building best be designed to become a passive solar collector for heat?
How does a PV system work, and what are some present applications of such cells?
What has been happening in recent years in the PV market? How are utilities encouraging PV power?
Describe two concentrated solar power systems, how they work, and their potential for providing power.
What is the potential for developing more hydroelectric power in North America versus developing countries, and what are the impacts of such development?
Where is wind power being harvested, and what is the future potential for wind farms?
What are some ways of converting biomass to useful energy, and what is the potential environmental impact of each?
Which biofuels are used for transportation, and what is the potential for increasing biofuels in the United States?
How can hydrogen gas be produced via the use of solar energy? How might hydrogen be collected and stored to meet the need for fuel for transportation in the future?
How do fuel cells work, and what is being done to adapt them to power vehicles?
What is geothermal energy, and what are two ways it is being harnessed?
Describe current policy for renewable energy and energy efficiency as an outcome of recent government programs.