ELECTRICITY

&
RENEWABLE ENERGY
by Christina Stephanie
9 Andes

INDEX
1. INTRODUCTION...
2. ELECTRICITY.........................
3. MISUSE OF ELECTRICITY....
4. RENEWABLE ENERGY.........
5. GREEN POWER PRODUCTION..

6. RESOURCES..........................

Introduction
Science is a tool that is use to help us understand our environment and help
manage fulfill our needs. Science affects our everyday lives in many different ways
including; technology. The progress of science has brought us modern electricity,
plastics, modern agriculture, and even medicine. Our daily needs; cell phones, alarm
clocks, clean water, and light are all results of science. We use science everyday
without thinking about it when we use cars, televisions, and even when we shower.
Electricity
In our body, everything we do is controlled and enabled by electrical signals
running through our body. Without electricity, our brain would have not function either.
As we know, everything in this world is made up of atoms; which are made up of
protons; containing positive charge, neutrons; containing neutral charge and
electrons; containing negative charge.
When these types of charges are out of balance, either positively or negatively
charged, the change between one type of charge and the other made electrons to
flow from one atom to another. This flow of electrons is what we call negative charge,
which is actually electricity.
For us, electricity is an energy or power that has helped us for many years over
centuries. The truth is, electricity was not invented. Its characteristics and uses have
been known about and developed over hundreds of years. Static electricity is
produce by rubbing objects against fur according to ancient civilizations. The basics
of static electricity is that when you touch something and get shocked that is actually
static electricity moving through you.
Despite history, Benjamin Franklin or Thomas Edison did not first invent
electricity, truth is electricity has been around as it naturally existed in this world.
Lightning for example is simply a flow of electrons between the clouds and the
ground. Electrical equipment like light bulbs and batteries arent needed for electricity
to exist. They are just inventions designed to use electricity.

Misuse of Electricity
Although both science and electricity has help us manage our lives, it is not so
easy managing theirs. On some occasions, we misuse electricity without realizing the
big impact it actually created, we often find ourselves leaving the light on every now
and then, even when were away. Have you ever stop to think where all that power of
electricity comes from? According to research, in the UK they burn coal and gas in
the power station in order to generate electricity. This releases millions of tonnes
carbon dioxide, the main gas which is responsible for the climate change happening
each year. They also use nuclear power, that could possibly impact the environment
severely.
Renewable Energy
Science today, is challenged by the fact of people need to find alternative energy
source. Green Electricity means electricity that is produced from sources which do
not cause severe impacts upon the environment. However, it is generally informed
that obviously every type of electricity generation will have some impacts, though
some sources are much greener than others. Greener energy sources are those
which make practical natural energy flows from Earth. These are what known as
renewable energy sources, because they will never run out.
Green Power Production
There's no doubt about it, the environmental movement is coming of age.
Currently, we are facing a change to reduce electricity-related environmental impact.
With green power production, we reduce the amount of pollutants being released
such as; nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide which contribute to air pollution. We
also help reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.
But how is Green Power Production actually created?
Wind Power - The wind harnessed by turbines can be use to provide electricity.
Wind power is one of the worlds fastest growing energy source. Solar Power - A
solar photovoltaic (PV) module works by converting sunlight directly into electricity
(even on cloudy days) using semiconductor technology. Solar energy can also be

used to heat water directly using specially designed collectors. Even in winter a
useful amount of hot water can be produced from roof top collectors. A third way to
use solar energy is simply to design buildings to make maximum use of the sun.
Using this so-called 'passive solar' approach, much of the energy that we currently
use for heating, lighting and air conditioning can be saved. Hydro Power - Water
turbines have been use to provide electricity for over 100 years. Wave Power - is
similar to hydro power, but uses waves instead of river flows. Tidal Power - unlike
other renewable energy sources, which depend on weather, tidal power is as
predictable as themselves. Geothermal - this energy comes from hot rocks deep
underground. They can be use to provide hot water and heating for buildings.
Landfill gas - decompose rubbish in the landfill sites, it gives off methane gas. This
gas can be captured and burnt in a gas turbine to produce electricity. Waste
incineration - recycling as much of waste as possible but instead constructed to
burn the waste. In some cases, the energy is being used to generate electricity.
However, in order for us to produce green power, we are dealing with some
natural and social consequences; such as the difficulties to generate the quantities of
electricity, the dependence on the weather for its source of power, and the cost that
we need to produce those energy is quite expensive. Scientist, researches and
advocates for green technologies are working hard to bring down the costs.
Renewable energy are promoting very quickly, businesses, government and
celebrities gain immediate recognition for buying, using and promoting them. Though,
the economic consequences are serious.
Bottom line, the reason why we are still dependent on fossil fuel for energy is
because of the mix of complicated costs, budgets, technology and unstable
environmental issues themselves. Some, or most are the ones we can hardly control.
The diverse the implementation of renewable energy sources is bigger the gap
towards energy independence and sustainability. The more people who demand
clean, renewable power, the stronger the message.
RESOURCES
Automatic Bibliography Maker. (n.d.). BibMe: Fast & Easy Bibliography Maker. Retrieved September 23,
2014, from http://www.bibme.org/website#

Bullfrog Power Products - Green Electricity. (n.d.). Bullfrog Power Products - Green Electricity. Retrieved
September 24, 2014, from https://www.bullfrogpower.com/products/electricity.cfm

Green Energy: Why We're Still Not Using It. (n.d.). Investopedia. Retrieved September 24, 2014, from
http://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0810/green-energy-why-were-still-not-using-it.aspx

Grimes, G. (n.d.). What is the cheapest new alternative energy?. HowStuffWorks. Retrieved September
24, 2014, from http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/cheapest-alternativeenergy.htm

How Does Science Affect Our Everyday Lives?. (n.d.). - Ask.com. Retrieved September 24, 2014, from
http://www.ask.com/question/how-does-science-affect-our-everyday-lives

What has science done for you lately?. (n.d.). What has science done for you lately?. Retrieved
September 23, 2014, from http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/whathassciencedone_01

What is green electricity?. (n.d.). About Green Electricity. Retrieved September 23, 2014, from
http://www.greenelectricity.org/what-is-green-electricity.php

Why is renewable energy so expensive?. (2014, January 5). The Economist. Retrieved September 24,
2014, from http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/01/economist-explains-0