Alternative sources of Energy Group Members: 1. 2. 3. 4. Abigail Hepburn Coby Mason Omar Mctinosh Camoya Duncan Alternative Forms of Energy in the Caribbean Alternative energy is becoming a much talked about idea in many areas of the world. The islands of the Caribbean are poised to take advantage of a number of alternative forms of energy. Solar, wind, hydroelectric, tidal, wave and geothermal energy are all within the realm of possibility for energy production in the Caribbean. However, some of these forms of energy may currently be beyond the financial means of some Caribbean islands. Solar Energy Solar power is created by capturing sunlight energy and converting that to electricity. Solar panels in various forms can take advantage of the intense tropical sunshine received by the islands of the Caribbean. Rooftop solar panels may be a cost-effective means to power homes, offices, hotels, resorts and other structures in the Caribbean, particularly due to the region's strong and abundant sunshine. Solar cells also can be used for water heating and supplying electricity to certain appliances and infrastructure. Wind Wind power is created by capturing the energy within wind and converting that into electricity. In some areas, large scale wind farms, either onshore or offshore, are needed to produce an adequate supply of energy to the electric grid. However, in other instances, much smaller scale wind turbine operations may be used for more isolated areas. Although many Caribbean islands have a steady supply of wind, the visual and environmental effects as well as the high cost of constructing many wind turbines must be considered. Small-scale wind energy production may be the best course for the Caribbean. Tidal energy wave Tidal power, a form of hydro power, is created by capturing the energy within the moving water of tides, ultimately derived from the interaction and gravity between the earth, moon and sun, and converting that into electricity. Tides are actually much more predictable than the daily amount of wind and sunlight, and would therefore be a more predictable form of energy production than solar or wind power, particularly in island areas of the Caribbean. However, constructing the infrastructure for tidal power, such as offshore tidal farms, can be very costly. Hydroelectricity Hydro power is created by capturing the energy found within flowing water, such as in streams and rivers, and converting that energy into electricity. Examples of hydroelectric power-generation facilities are dams on rivers, which cause the water in the river to flow through the dam, spinning turbines and creating electricity. Hydroelectric power may be an option on some Caribbean islands, particularly the larger and more mountainous areas, but is not an option for all due to the scale and cost. Also, the effects of a hydroelectric facility on the local landscape and ecosystem are important factors for consideration. Geothermal Geothermal power is created by capturing energy from heat stored beneath the surface of the earth. Traditionally, geothermal power facilities have been most effective along and near geologically active tectonic plate boundaries. A number of Caribbean islands are along the tectonic plate boundary between the Caribbean Plate, North American Plate, and South American Plate. This position accounts for the volcanic and seismic activity on and near many Caribbean islands. In particular, the Lesser Antilles, including the Windward and Leeward Islands, show potential for harnessing geothermal energy but the difficulty lies in the costs and environmental effects of drilling deep into the earth to tap the heat resource. Nuclear In the Caribbean region, nuclear techniques are helping address problems in food and agriculture, water and the environment, health and nutrition, industrial applications, energy planning and radiation safety. Regions in the world where alternative energy is used Germany is a world leader in renewable energy and in the first half of 2018 it produced enough electricity to power every household in the country for a year. The country has also set an ambitious target to get 65% of their electricity from renewables by 2030. Uruguay is now almost 100% powered by renewables almost after less than 10 years of concerted effort. The country invested heavily in wind and solar, rising from just 40% renewables as recently as 2012. Efficient energy use, sometimes simply called energy efficiency, is the goal to reduce the amount of energy required to provide products and services and can also reduce effects of air pollution. For example, insulating a building allows it to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve and maintain a thermal comfort. Installing light-emitting diode bulbs, fluorescent lighting, or natural skylight windows reduces the amount of energy required to attain the same level of illumination compared to using traditional incandescent light bulbs. Improvements in energy efficiency are generally achieved by adopting a more efficient technology or production process or by application of commonly accepted methods to reduce energy losses. The most efficient forms of renewable energy geothermal, solar, wind, hydroelectricity and biomass. Biomass has the biggest contribution with 50%, followed by hydroelectricity at 26% and wind power at 18%. Geothermal energy is generated by harnessing the Earth's natural heat. Bibliography https://sciencing.com/alternative-forms-of-energy-in-the-caribbean-13636565.html https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/multimedia/videos/iaea-support-in-the-caribbeanregion#:~:text=In%20the%20Caribbean%20region%2C%20nuclear,the%20IAEA's%20Tec hnical%20Cooperation%20Programme.
