2. Energy Sources
Energy sources are resources from which energy can be obtained
(Christensen, 2013)
๏ต Generated energy provides heat, light, and power
๏ต Two types of energy sources are: hydropower and solar power
๏ต These energy sources are renewable forms of energy
(Christensen, 2013)
๏ต This means that these sources can be continuously replenished
3. Hydropower
๏ต Hydropower is renewable energy
created from flowing water
(Christensen, 2013)
๏ต It is used mainly for electricity
generation
๏ต Examples: dams, river diversion,
waterwheels
4. Solar Power
๏ต Solar power is power harnessed
from the sun! (Christensen, 2013)
๏ต There are two types of solar
power: Passive Solar & Active Solar
(USEIA, 2012)
๏ต Examples are: natural lighting and
heating, photovoltaic (panels), and
solar water heaters (USEIA,2012)
5. Comparison of Energy Use
๏ต Hydroelectric power use has grown
steadily over the years
๏ต Fortunately, renewable energy use
has grown significantly overall
๏ต Solar power is rather new-
therefore, historical data is limited
Figure 1 from U.S. Energy
Information Administration, 2012
6. Present and Future Renewable Energy
Use: Hydropower vs. Solar power
๏ต Present- currently 19% of
electricity is generated by
hydropower (USEIA, 2012)
๏ต Non-renewables still unfortunately
account for the majority of energy
๏ต Future- Untapped hydropower
sources are available in Latin
America, India, & China! (USGS,
2015)
โข Land availability= expansion of
hydropower use!
๏ต Present- currently about 4% of
energy comes from solar power
panels (USEIA, 2012)
๏ต Future- 2025: electricity from solar
power will increase to 50% in the
U.S. (USEIA, 2012)
๏ต Prices of photovoltaic panels are
steadily declining (USEIA, 2012)
โข This makes it affordable for many
in the near future!
7. How are hydropower and solar power
interrelated?
๏ต Both forms of energy are forms of RENEWABLE ENERGY! (Christensen, 2013)
๏ต Both forms are relatively inexpensive, since they harness their power from
nature! (Christensen, 2015)
๏ต Without the sun or water life would not exist!
8. References
๏ต Christensen, N. (2013). The Environment and You. Upper Saddle River:
Prentice Hall.
๏ต U.S. Department of the Interior. (2011, March 1). Retrieved from Bureau of
Reclamation:
http://www.usbr.gov/power/AssessmentReport/USBRHydroAssessmentFinalRe
portMarch2011.pdf
๏ต U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2012, September 27). Retrieved
from U.S. EIA: www.eia.gov/emeu/aer/contents.html
๏ต Union of Concerned Scientists. (2015, May 11). Retrieved from How Solar
Energy Works: www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-
energy
๏ต United States Geological Survey. (2015, May 11). Retrieved from USGS:
https://water.usgs.gov/edu/wuhy.html
