Wind Energy and Geothermal Power Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the height of each wind turbine mentioned?

215 feet (correct)

200 feet

218 feet

250 feet

What diameter does the rotor of the wind turbine have?

218 feet (correct)

230 feet

200 feet

215 feet

What is the primary challenge associated with wind power generation?

Inconsistent wind availability at sites (correct)

High maintenance costs

Limited land availability for turbines

Technology inefficiency

How do computer controls optimize wind turbine performance?

By directing turbines to the wind and adjusting blade pitch Signup and view all the answers

What were the first applications of wind power in the historical context mentioned?

Grinding grain and drainage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following materials contributed to the development of windmill blades in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

Light, efficient steel Signup and view all the answers

What is a common term for clusters of wind turbines?

Wind farm Signup and view all the answers

In which geographical areas mentioned are wind power developments taking place?

New York and North Dakota Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary technological advancement Zond Systems implemented in the early 1980s for wind turbines?

Variable speed turbines Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors has contributed to wind energy becoming competitive with fossil fuels?

Lighter and aerodynamic rotor designs Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of electricity does Iceland generate from geothermal steam?

17 percent Signup and view all the answers

What is the main source of hydroelectric power contributing to Iceland's electricity supply?

Glacial runoff Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of homes in Iceland are heated with geothermal water?

93 percent Signup and view all the answers

Which early wind turbine capacity was utilized by Zond Systems?

50 kilowatts Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of wind technology growth in European nations?

It aims for 20 percent of electricity generated through wind Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between turbine size and energy capture?

Bigger rotors capture more energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the bore holes drilled by the Nesjavellir power plant?

To provide a pathway for steam and hot water to reach the surface. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the steam after it leaves the separation module?

It is sent to the turbines to generate electricity. Signup and view all the answers

Why can't geothermal water from the Nesjavellir power plant be directly used in the population's heating system?

It contains sulphur and other corrosive minerals. Signup and view all the answers

What is the efficiency of the turbines in terms of their operational speed?

3,000 rpm Signup and view all the answers

How much electricity does the Nesjavellir power plant generate?

120 megawatts Signup and view all the answers

What temperature does the geothermal water need to achieve before being sent into the pipeline?

187 degrees Signup and view all the answers

What is one use of the heat remaining after the geothermal water has served its heating purpose?

To melt snow on winter sidewalks. Signup and view all the answers

What unique feature does the Nesjavellir power plant provide that distinguishes it from other power plants globally?

It provides heat for greenhouses and a popular spa. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant environmental advantage of using biofuels compared to gasoline?

Biofuels can offset carbon emissions from their production. Signup and view all the answers

Which biofuel is described as being produced from a plant's fatty oils?

Biodiesel Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the world's greenhouse gas emissions come from automobiles?

20 percent Signup and view all the answers

Why is sugar cane ethanol more efficient than corn grain ethanol?

It has a higher energy output compared to input. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary challenge in producing cellulosic ethanol from biomass?

Converting cellulose fibers into sugars. Signup and view all the answers

What cooking oil is mentioned as an early biofuel used by Rudolf Diesel?

Peanut oil Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main reasons restaurants choose to use vegetable oil as fuel?

It reduces oil disposal fees. Signup and view all the answers

What did Henry Ford design the Model T to run on?

Ethanol Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the gasoline engine in a plug-in hybrid like the Toyota Prius described?

To serve solely as a range extension fuel. Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential environmental benefits envisioned by proponents of plug-in hybrids?

An increasingly green power grid for charging. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about biofuels and food supplies is accurate?

The current mpg standards are insufficient to replace the oil habit without threatening food supplies. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of meridian energy sources has been largely untapped according to the passage?

Direct energy harnessing from oceans. Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the future of hydropower?

The seas will provide the primary source for future hydropower. Signup and view all the answers

Which renewable technology is indicated to be a new wave in energy generation?

Tidal barrage systems. Signup and view all the answers

How much power is currently generated from hydroelectric sources according to the content?

It provides gigawatts of power. Signup and view all the answers

What environmental concern is raised regarding biofuels?

They could divert agricultural land from food production. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Wind Turbines

Wind turbines can generate 1.5 megawatts of electricity
Turbines stand 215 feet tall and have a 218-foot diameter rotor
Computer controls can turn the entire turbine up to 360 degrees
Technicians perform maintenance and change light bulbs

History of Wind Power

Early windmills, dating back to 1390 in the Netherlands, were used for drainage and grinding grain
In the 19th and 20th centuries, windmills in the US used efficient steel blades for generating power
Zond Systems, in the 1980s, introduced variable speed turbines that could generate more energy during gusts of wind

Geothermal Energy in Iceland

Iceland relies heavily on geothermal energy for heating and electricity
The country's abundant rainfall and glacial runoff provide hydropower
Geothermal water provides heating and hot water to 93% of Icelandic homes
Geothermal steam generates 17% of the country's electricity
Geothermal provides over 50% of Iceland's total energy needs

The Nesjavellir Power Plant

The plant utilizes geothermal energy to produce electricity and hot water
Water and steam are separated and treated before use
Steam drives turbines to generate electricity
Geothermal water is used to heat fresh water pumped from aquifers
The power plant's effluent is used for the Blue Lagoon spa

Biofuels

Biofuels such as vegetable oil, biodiesel, and ethanol are renewable energy sources
Biofuels release fewer greenhouse gases than gasoline
Sugarcane ethanol in Brazil yields eight units of energy for every unit of fossil energy used
Researchers are working to produce biofuel from the entire plant, including the cellulosic biomass
Switchgrass is showing promise as a biofuel crop

Plug-in Hybrids

Plug-in hybrids run on a gasoline engine and an electric motor
They can be charged from a 120-volt outlet
They use gasoline only as a range extension fuel
With increasing green power and cellulosic biofuels, plug-in hybrids could become more prevalent

Marine Power

Oceans cover 70% of the planet's surface and hold vast potential for energy
Hydro-electric power from dams will continue to be important
Tidal barrages are similar in design to traditional hydropower

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Description

Test your knowledge on wind turbines and geothermal energy. This quiz covers the technical aspects of wind turbines, the history of wind power, and Iceland's reliance on geothermal energy. Explore how these renewable sources contribute to energy production.