Renewable Energy Basics

Definition: Energy generated from natural resources that can be replenished over time
Sources:
- Solar energy
- Wind energy
- Hydro energy (from rivers, oceans, and tidal currents)
- Geothermal energy (from heat within the Earth)
- Biomass energy (from organic matter)
Advantages:
- Sustainable and renewable
- Zero or low greenhouse gas emissions
- Can reduce dependence on fossil fuels
Challenges:
- Intermittent power generation
- High upfront costs
- Land requirements for installations

Definition: Using less energy to achieve the same outcome
Strategies:
- Improve insulation and building design
- Use energy-efficient appliances and lighting
- Optimize energy use in industry and transportation
- Implement smart grid technologies
Benefits:
- Reduces energy consumption
- Lowers energy costs
- Decreases greenhouse gas emissions
- Creates jobs and stimulates economy

Definition: Energy generated from the splitting of atomic nuclei (nuclear fission)
Advantages:
- Zero greenhouse gas emissions
- Relatively low operating costs
- High capacity factor (can operate continuously)
Disadvantages:
- High upfront costs
- Radioactive waste disposal challenges
- Risk of nuclear accidents
- Proliferation concerns

Definition: Technologies that enable the storage of energy for later use
Types:
- Battery storage (lithium-ion, lead-acid, etc.)
- Pumped hydro storage
- Compressed air energy storage
- Flywheel energy storage
Importance:
- Enables the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources
- Improves grid stability and reliability
- Enhances energy security

Definition: Energy generated from the combustion of ancient plants and animals (coal, oil, and natural gas)
Characteristics:
- High energy density
- Well-established infrastructure
- Relatively low upfront costs
Disadvantages:
- Finite resources
- Significant greenhouse gas emissions
- Air and water pollution
- Contributes to climate change

Energy efficiency involves using less energy to achieve the same outcome
Strategies for improving energy efficiency include:
- Improving insulation and building design
- Using energy-efficient appliances and lighting
- Optimizing energy use in industry and transportation
- Implementing smart grid technologies

Nuclear energy is generated from the splitting of atomic nuclei (nuclear fission)
Nuclear energy has zero greenhouse gas emissions
Relatively low operating costs
High capacity factor, can operate continuously

Energy storage enables the storage of energy for later use
Types of energy storage include:
- Battery storage (lithium-ion, lead-acid, etc.)
- Pumped hydro storage
- Compressed air energy storage
- Flywheel energy storage

Fossil fuels are generated from the combustion of ancient plants and animals (coal, oil, and natural gas)
Fossil fuels have high energy density
Well-established infrastructure for fossil fuels
Relatively low upfront costs for fossil fuels

Founded in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club
Renamed Manchester United in 1902
Nicknamed "The Red Devils" due to their red jerseys and aggressive style of play
Experienced a tragic plane crash in 1958, known as the Munich Air Disaster, resulting in the loss of 8 players
Revamped under Sir Matt Busby, winning the European Cup in 1968

20 League titles, including wins in 1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965, 1967, and more
3 European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles in 1968, 1999, and 2008
1 UEFA Europa League title in 2017
12 FA Cup titles, including wins in 1909, 1948, 1963, and more