Oh Mister Sun
This type of alternative energy harnesses the power of the Sun to generate heat or electricity.
Solar energy
This type of energy uses moving air to turn large turbines and generate electricity.
wind energy
This term describes energy sources that are naturally replenished and help reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
alternative energy
This form of renewable energy is generated when falling water spins turbines to create electricity.
hydroelectric power
This type of alternative energy is created by tapping underground reservoirs of steam and hot water to produce heat or electricity.
geothermal energy
This is one major advantage of solar energy, referring to the fact that it will not run out.
unlimited supply
These are two advantages of wind energy that make it appealing as an alternative energy resource.
“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.
high energy efficiency (or producing a large amount of energy)
- high energy yield
This clean energy source is known for being free, safe, renewable, and highly efficient once a dam is built.
advantages of hydroelectric energy
In geothermal systems, this heated substance is used directly for heating or to spin turbines that generate electricity.
hot water (or steam)
Solar energy often requires this extra system when the Sun is not shining.
supplemental or backup heating unit, storage cell
This is one major reason wind energy cannot always be relied on for consistent electricity generation.
“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.
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.
disadvantages of hydroelectric power
These naturally occurring openings in the Earth’s surface release hot water or steam, often used for geothermal energy.
Geysers or hot springs
North Carolina ranks tenth in the U.S. for this measure related to solar power installations.
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.
“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.
31.4 %
The structure, built across a river, creates a reservoir and uses flowing water to spin turbines that generate electricity.
A dam
Unlike fossil fuels, geothermal energy produces very low amounts of this type of harmful gas.
Carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases
This term describes the process by which sunlight is converted directly into electricity using semiconductor materials inside solar panels.
Photovoltaic effect
This is the reason wind energy is considered especially practical for North Carolina, including the specific regions where it works best.
“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
nuclear energy’s reliability and ability to produce electricity around the clock
- highly sustainable
Roughly this percentage of North Carolina’s electricity is generated by hydroelectric power.
4%
This natural feature, found mostly along tectonic plate boundaries, is often the source of high-temperature geothermal energy.
Volcanoes or geothermal hotspots