Oh Mister Sun
This type of alternative energy harnesses the power of the Sun to generate heat or electricity.
What is solar energy?
This type of energy uses moving air to turn large turbines and generate electricity.
What is wind energy?
This term describes energy sources that are naturally replenished and help reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
What is alternative energy?
This form of renewable energy is generated when falling water spins turbines to create electricity.
What is hydroelectric power?
This type of alternative energy is created by tapping underground reservoirs of steam and hot water to produce heat or electricity.
What is geothermal energy?
This is one major advantage of solar energy, referring to the fact that it will not run out.
What is an unlimited supply?
These are two advantages of wind energy that make it appealing as an alternative energy resource.
What are “it is cheap” and “it is safe”?
This major advantage of nuclear energy allows one reactor to generate massive amounts of electricity with very little fuel.
What is high energy efficiency (or producing a large amount of energy)?
This clean energy source is known for being free, safe, renewable, and highly efficient once a dam is built.
What are the advantages of hydroelectric energy?
In geothermal systems, this heated substance is used directly for heating or to spin turbines that generate electricity.
What is hot water (or steam)?
Solar energy often requires this extra system when the Sun is not shining.
What is a supplemental or backup heating unit?
This is one major reason wind energy cannot always be relied on for consistent electricity generation.
What is “the wind doesn’t always blow / wind is unpredictable”?
This is a key disadvantage of nuclear energy, related to both safety risks and long-term storage concerns.
What is the danger and difficulty of disposing of radioactive spent materials?
Sediment buildup behind dams, drought vulnerability, and a limited number of suitable mountainous locations are all disadvantages of this type of renewable energy.
What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power?
This energy source is known for being both clean and safe, making it appealing where it is available.
What are advantages of geothermal energy?
North Carolina ranks tenth in the U.S. for this measure related to solar power installations.
What is cumulative installed solar electric capacity?
This disadvantage of wind energy can interfere with people’s daily lives by affecting media signals and creating unwanted sound.
What is “it is noisy and can disrupt TV and radio reception”?
North Carolina uses this percentage of nuclear energy to power the state—while producing zero greenhouse gas emissions.
What is 31.4 percent?
Although hydroelectric power is renewable, this type of hazardous concern still exists due to the dangerous use and disposal of materials involved in dam construction and operation.
What are the dangers or disposal concerns related to hydroelectric facilities?
Two disadvantages of geothermal energy are its limited suitable locations and the potential depletion of this crucial underground resource.
What is groundwater?
North Carolina’s position as a national solar leader demonstrates how this factor, related to energy policy and infrastructure growth, supports widespread solar adoption.
What is investment and support for large-scale solar development (strong solar infrastructure and policy)?
This is the reason wind energy is considered especially practical for North Carolina, including the specific regions where it works best.
What is “NC has strong offshore wind and ideal conditions along coastal areas in the east and mountain regions in the west”?
This is the main reason nuclear energy is considered highly practical for North Carolina, as the state’s reactors supply power consistently every hour of the day
What is nuclear energy’s reliability and ability to produce electricity around the clock?
This renewable energy source is highly practical in North Carolina, where nearly 70 privately owned dams contribute to about 4% of the state’s electricity generation.
What is hydroelectric power?
Though useful in other parts of the world, geothermal energy is not practical in NC because most geothermal resources are located here—far from the state.
What are the boundaries of tectonic plates?