Sources of Energy

Joint project

6th school of Sosnovy Bor 2nd Geniko Lykeio of Alexandrupolis Renewable Sources of Energy

2nd Geniko Lykeio of Alexandrupolis

2nd Geniko Lykeio of Alexandrupolis

 Solar energy  Geothermal power  Wind power  Tidal energy  Hydroelectricity  Biomass  Compressed natural gas  Wave power

SOLAR ENERGY

Mary Sideri – Grade A1 Konstantina Sideri – Grade C4 Anastasia - Paraskevi Parasaki - Grade C4 Vaggelis Galdanides - Grade C4 Kouroumichaki Athanasia - Grade B1 Paschalidou Sophia - Grade B2 Papadopoulou Stefania – Grade B4

the sun:  is a natural energy source that does not require the burning of fossil fuel and the associated air emissions.

 is considered renewable since the energy produced from the sun does not deplete any natural resources.

 it will never run out.

What is solar energy? Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the sun harnessed using a range of technologies such as solar water heating (the conversion of sunlight into renewable energy for water heating using a thermal collector) solar photovoltaics (a power system designed to supply usable solar power) solar architecture (the integration of solar panel technology with modern building techniques) artificial photosynthesis (a chemical artificial process that converts sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and oxygen).

It is an important source of renewable energy and its technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the way they capture and distribute solar energy or convert it into solar power.

SOLAR ENERGY

PASSIVE SOLAR ACTIVE SOLAR ENERGY ENERGY It produces electricity using a technology It produces heat and called Solar provides lighting for Photovoltaic (PV), or structures. heat, hot water or electricity using a technology called Solar Thermal.

the sunlight can be used for: direct heat production, direct production of electricity in two ways:

 thermal and  photovoltaic applications. Solar photovoltaics

Photovoltaic systems convert solar radiation to electricity via a variety of methods. The most common approach is to use silicon panels, which generate an electrical current when light shines upon it.

Solar photovoltaics are especially valuable for remote rural applications where it would be prohibitively expensive to supply electricity from a utility line.

Solar thermal systems Solar Thermal Systems seek to store heat from the sun that can be used for a variety of purposes. Many different approaches can be employed here, including active systems, such as solar hot water heaters, and passive systems, in which careful engineering design results in a building that automatically stores and utilizes solar energy. Greenhouses are a prime candidate for passive solar sign, in which they collect solar energy on sunny days in winter and utilize it to keep the house warm at night.

Advantages of using solar energy:

 Solar energy can prevent the consumption of fossil fuels, thus the emission of carbon dioxide which causes global climate change.  It can be stored and released slowly and gradually.  Installing a solar system is simple and the maintenance requires minimum attention while the resistance reaches operation for 25 year or more.

Advantages of using solar energy:

 Solar energy can be used both in small and large devices.  It is the alternative energy that seems to respond to future’s needs.  Solar energy systems are generally silent.  Excess energy can recharge the electric network energy.  Solar technology is a perfectly mature, proven and reliable technology.

Disadvantages of using solar energy:

 Solar energy systems do not work at night.  Solar cells are currently costly and require a large initial capital investment.  For larger applications, many photovoltaic cells are needed, corresponding to high investment costs and large land requirements.  The cost effectiveness of a solar energy system is dependent upon the location and climate.

Solar Energy in Greece

Development of solar power in Greece started in 2006 and installations of photovoltaic systems skyrocketed since 2009 because of the appealing feed-in tariffs introduced and the corresponding regulations for domestic applications of rooftop solar PV.

However, this mechanism overheated the market creating a big deficit in the Greek "Operator of Electricity Market".

Solar Energy in Greece

In August 2012, new regulations have been introduced including a temporary tax imposed on all photovoltaic power stations, licencing of new PV projects have been put on halt and the feed-in tariffs were drastically reduced.

Solar Energy in Greece

By December 2013, the total installed photovoltaic capacity in Greece had reached 2,419.2 MWp from which the 987.2 MWp were installed in the period between January-September 2013. Greece ranks 5th worldwide with regard to per capita installed PV capacity.

Solar Energy in Greece

Greece has considerable potential for the development and implementation of P/V systems. The reasons are the following:

Solar panel in north Greece

SOLAR POWER

Development of solar power in Greece has been proposed as a way of

Photovoltaic solar tracker in Kefalonia

SOLAR POWER

The solar energy development in Greece started in 2006 and was skyrocketed from 2009 onwards because of the high feed-in tariffs introduced and the corresponding regulations for domestic applications of

IN CONCLUSION

In general, the international status of the country in solar thermal is good, but it should be better. An increase of the average household and lifting existing disincentives – of short or zero financial cost.  Legislate mandatory installation at least for the production of hot water. In the P/V the existing framework of incentives seems more than enough.

When you understand a little about how solar energy works, it is easier to choose a system that will meet your needs. A solar powered home can generate between 75 and 100% of its own power, resulting in immediate savings now, and increased savings in the future as the cost of electricity increases with inflation. GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Vamvakerou Anna – Grade B1 Kousoutzi Evi – Grade B3 Martasidou Eleni – Grade B3 Lampriana Chondrolidou - Grade B4 Dimitra Chalvatzi – Grade B4 Sophia Paschalidou - Grade B2 Athanasia Kouroumichaki - Grade B1

Linguistic approach

The adjective geothermal originates from the Greek roots γη (ge) meaning earth, and θερμος (thermos), meaning hot.

History and development

In the 20th century demand for electricity led to the consideration of geothermal power as a generating source. Prince Piero Ginori Conti tested the first geothermal power generator of 4 July 1904 in Larderello Italy. Later in 1911 the world's first commercial geothermal station was built there.

History and development

The binary cycle power station was first demonstrated in 1967 in Russia and later introduced to the USA in 1981, following the 1970s energy crisis and significant changes in regulatory policies. This technology allows the use of much power temperature resources than were previously recoverable.

What is geothermal energy?

What is geothermal energy?

Our planet, Earth, is covered with the thick outer shell called crust, which is made up of many different rock layers and plates whose components keep on shifting and changing. Under the Earth’s crust, there is a layer of hot and molten rock called magma. Heat is continually produced there, mostly from the decay of naturally radioactive materials such as uranium and potassium.

What is geothermal energy?

The amount with in the earth’s surface contains 50,000 times more energy than all the oil and natural gas resources in the world. So, due to extreme heat inside the earth these rocks start developing cracks and release energy in the form of water or heat on to the earth’s surface.

What is geothermal energy?

To get that heat, water is pumped down an ―injection well‖. Then it filters through the cracks in the rocks where they are at a high temperature. The water then returns via the ―recovery well‖ under pressure in the form of steam. That steam is captured and is used to drive electric generators.

Geothermal electricity is electricity generated from geothermal energy. Technologies in use include dry steam power stations, flash steam power stations and binary cycle power stations.

Geothermal power is considered to be sustainable because the heat extraction is small compared with the Eath's heat content. The life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of geothermal electric stations are on average 45 grams of CO. There are three types of geothermal power plants: 1. dry steam 2. flash steam 3. binary cycle

1. Dry steam power plants draw from underground resources of steam. The steam is piped directly from underground wells to the power plant, where it is directed into a turbine/generator unit. 2. Flash steam power plants are the most common. This very hot water flows up through wells in the ground under its own pressure. As it flows upward, the pressure decreases and some of the hot water boils into steam. The steam is then separated from the water and used to power a turbine generator 3. Binary cycle power plants operate on water. These plants use the heat from the hot water to boil a working fluid, usually an organic compound with a low boiling point. The water and the working fluid are kept separated during the whole process, so there are little or no air emissions. History and development

Geothermal electric stations have until recently been built exclusively where high temperature geothermal resources are available near the surface. The development of binary cycle power plants and improvements in drilling and extraction technology may enable enhanced geothermal systems over a much greater geographical range.

Pros of the Geothermal Power

1. Significant Cost Saving: Geothermal energy generally involves low running costs since it saves 80% costs over fossil fuels and no fuel is used to generate the power.

2. Reduce Reliance on Fossil Fuel: Dependence on fossil fuels decreases with the increase in the use of geothermal energy. With the sky-rocketing prices of oil, many countries are pushing companies to adopt these clean sources of energy

3. No Pollution: This is one of the main advantage of using geothermal energy since it does not create any pollution and help in creating clean environment. Being the renewable source of energy, geothermal energy has helped in reducing global warming and pollution

4. Direct Use: Since ancient times, people having been using this source of energy for taking bath, heating homes, preparing food and today this is also used for direct heating of homes and offices.

5. Job Creation and Economic Benefits : Government of various countries are investing hugely in creation of geothermal energy which on other hand has created more jobs for the local people

Cons of Geothermal Power 1. Not Widespread Source of Energy : Since this type of energy is not widely used therefore the unavailability of equipment, staff, infrastructure and training pose hindrance to the installation of geothermal plants across the globe. 2. High Installation Costs : Getting geothermal energy requires the installation of power plants to get the steam from the depths of the earth and skilled staff needs to be recruited. 3. Can Run Out Of Steam : Geothermal sites can run out of steam over a period of time due to drop in temperature or if too much water is injected to cool the rocks and this may result in huge loss for the companies which have invested heavily in these plants

4. Suited To Particular Region : It is only suitable for regions which have hot rocks below the earth and can produce steam over a long period of time.

5. May Release Harmful Gases : Geothermal sites may contain some poisonous gases and they can escape deep within the earth, through the holes drilled by the constructors. 6. Transportation : Geothermal Energy can not be easily transported. Once the tapped energy is extracted, it can be only used in the surrounding areas. Other sources of energy like wood, coal or oil can be transported to residential areas but this is not a case with geothermal energy.

How is geothermal energy utilized in Greece?

Greece is a particularly promising area as regards prospecting for and producing energy from high- and low-enthalpy geothermal fluids.

The first programmes of exploration work began in 1970 and led to the discovery of the geothermal field of the island of Milos.

How is geothermal energy utilized in Greece? Greece lies in a geographic position that is favorable to geothermal resources, both of high and low temperature. High temperature resources, suitable for power generation coupled with heating and cooling, are found at depths of 1-2 kilometres on the Aegean islands of Milos, Santorini, and Nisyros. Other locations that are promising at depths of 2-3

kilomteres are on the islands of Lesvos, Chios, and Samothraki as well as the basins of Central-Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

How is geothermal energy utilized in Greece? Low temperature geothermal resources are found at the plains of Macedonia- Thrace and in the vicinity of each of the 56 hot springs found in Greece.

These areas include Loutra-Samothrakis, Lesvos, Chios, Alexandroupolis, Serres, Thermopyles, Chalkidiki , and many others.

Thermal hot springs in Traianoupolis

The future of geothermal energy Geothermal energy has the potential to play a significant role in moving the world toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy system. It is one of the few renewable energy technologies that can supply continuous, baseload power. Additionally, unlike coal and nuclear plants, binary geothermal plants can be used a flexible source of energy to balance the variable supply of renewable resources such as wind and solar. Binary plants have the capability to ramp production up and down multiple times each day, from 100 percent of nominal power down to a minimum of 10 percent .However, in order to tap into the full potential of geothermal energy, two emerging technologies require further development: Enhanced Geothermal Systems and co-production of geothermal electricity in oil and gas wells. Maria Dardavouni – Grade B3 Sofia Isaakidou – Grade B3 Papadopoulou Stefania – Grade B4 Hatzipemou georgia – Grade B4 Partsa Eleni – Grade B4

History

Wind power has been used as long as humans have put sails into the wind. For more than two millennia wind-powered machines have ground grain and pumped water. Wind power was widely available and not confined to the banks of fast- flowing streams, or later, requiring sources of fuel. History

Wind-powered pumps drained the polders of the Netherlands , and in arid regions such as the American mind-west or the Australian, wind pumps provided water for live stock and steam engines. What is wind power?

 Wind power is extracted from air flow using wind turbines or sails to produce mechanical or electrical power. Windmills are used for their mechanical power, windpumps for water pumping, and sails to propel ships.  Wind energy as an alternative to fossil fuels, is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation and uses little land.  The effects on the environment are generally less problematic than those from other power sources.

How is it exploited ?

 Wind power is the conversion of wind energy by wind turbines into a useful form, such as electricity or mechanical energy.  Large-scale wind farms are typically connected to the local power transmission network with small turbines used to provide electricity to isolated areas.

 Residential units are entering production and are capable of powering large appliances to entire houses depending on the size. Wind farms installed on agricultural land or grazing areas, have one of the lowest environmental impacts of all energy sources. Although wind produces only about 1.5% of worldwide electricity use, it is growing rapidly, having doubled in the three years between 2005 and 2008.

Since 2008, Europe has been leading the world in development of offshore wind power, due to strong wind resources and shallow water .

Environmental effects

The environmental impact of wind power when compared to the environmental impacts of fossil fuels, is relatively minor. According to the IPCC , in assessments of the life-cycle global warming potential of energy sources, wind turbines have a median value of between 12 and 11 (CO2 / kwk) depending, respectively, on if offshore or onshore turbines are being assessed.

Environmental effects

While a wind farm may cover a large area of land, many land uses such as agriculture are compatible with it, as only small areas of turbine foundations and infrastructure are made unavailable for use.

Environmental effects

There are reports of bird and bat mortality at wind turbines as there are around other artificial structures. The scale of the ecological impact may or may not be significant, depending on specific circumstances. Prevention and mitigation of wildlife fatalities, and protection of peat bogs, affect the siting and operation of wind turbines.

Environmental effects

Wind turbines generate some noise. At a residential distance of 300 metres (980 ft) this may be around 45 dB, which is slightly louder than a refrigerator. At 1 mile (1.6 km) distance they become inaudible. There are anecdotal reports of negative health effects from noise on people who live very close to wind turbines.Peer-reviewed research has generally not supported these claims.

Environmental effects

Aesthetic aspects of wind turbines and resulting changes of the visual landscape are significant. Conflicts arise especially in scenic and heritage protected landscapes.

TIDAL ENERGY

Τsiligianni Stella – Grade B2

What is tidal energy?

Tidal energy is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of the tides into electricity or other useful forms of power. The tide is created by the gravitational effect of the sun and the moon on the earth causing cyclical movement of the seas.

Tidal energy is an entirely predictable form of renewable energy, which can be harnessed in two forms

Tidal Tidal Stream Range

TIDAL RANGE Tidal Range is the vertical difference in height between the high tide and the succeeding low tide. Artificial tidal barrages or lagoons may be constructed to capture the tide. TIDAL STREAM Tidal Stream is the flow of water as the tide ebbs and floods, and manifests itself as tidal current. Tidal Stream devices seek to extract energy from this kinetic movement of water, much as wind turbines extract energy from the movement of air. USE OF TIDAL ENERGY 1. Grain Mills 2. Energy Storage 3. Provide Protection to Coast in High Storms GRAIN MILLS

Tidal Energy has been used for hundreds of years. Just like Wind Mills, Tidal Energy was used for the mechanical crushing of grains in Grain Mills. The movement of Turbines due to Tidal Energy was used in the crush Grains. However with the advents of Fossil Fuels, this usage of Tidal Energy has become quite low. ENERGY STORAGE

Tidal Energy can also be used as a store of Energy. Like many of the hydroelectric dams which can be used as large Energy Storage, so Tidal Barrages with their reservoirs can be modified to store energy. Though this has not been tried out, with suitable modifications Tidal Energy can be stored as well though costs may prove to be high. PROVIDE PROTECTION TO COAST IN HIGH STORM

Tidal Barrages can prevent Damage to the Coast during High Storms and also provide an easy transport method between the 2 arms of a Bay or an Estuary on which it is built.

HYDROELECTRICITY

Mpranidis Petros – Grade B2 Hydroelectricity Hydroelectricity

 Hydroelectricity is electricity generated by hydropower, i.e., the production of power through use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy. Hydroelectricity  Small scale hydro or micro-hydro power has been an increasingly popular alternative energy source, especially in remote areas where other power sources are not viable. Small scale hydro power systems can be installed in small rivers or streams with little or no discernible environmental effect or disruption to fish migration. Most small scale hydro power systems make no use of a dam or major water diversion, but rather use water wheels to generate energy. Hydroelectricity Hydroelectricity

1. Hydroelectric power is generated by falling water. 2. The water is stored behind in the reservoir. 3. By the dam there is a water intake. 4. At the end of the penstock there is a turbine propellern 5. The shaft from the turbine goes up into the generator, that produces the powern 6. The turbine is turned by the moving water.

Hydroelectricity - Benefits

 1. Hydroelectric power is the most significant renewable power source in the world.

2. It is a source that does not pollute the environment.

3. Hydropower generates in the USA about nine percent of total energy supply. Hydroelectricity - Benefits

 4. Hydropower is the least expensive renewable enrgy source in the USA.

5. Hydropower can be used anywhere in the world where there is falling water.

Hydroelectricity - Drawbacks

 1. Hydroelectric power can seriously damage the climate.

2. It can NEGATIVELY affect the wildlife in the rivers

3. It can pollute the nature by emitting carbon dioxide and methane.

Hydroelectricity - Drawbacks

 4. Methane is considered twenty one times much stronger than carbon dioxide to affect global warming.

5. Installing it can sometimes have a very high price.

Hydroelectricity Ioanna Vairami - Grade B1 Spyros Sarikas – Grade B2 Biomass, as a renewable energy source, refers to living and recently dead biological material that can be used as fuel or for industrial production.

It’s biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms. Biomass refers to plant matter grown to generate electricity for example :

 trash such as dead trees and branches  yard clippings and wood chips biofuel plant or animal matter used for production of fibers  biodegradable wastes that can be burnt as fuel

Industrial biomass can be grown from numerous types of plants, including miscanthus, switchgrass, hemp, corn, poplar, willow, sorghum, sugarcane, and a variety of tree species, ranging from eucalyptus to oil palm. Production of biomass is a growing industry as interest in sustainable fuel sources is growing.

As an energy source, biomass can either be used directly via combustion to produce heat, or indirectly after converting it to various forms of biofuel. Conversion of biomass to biofuel can be achieved by different methods which are broadly classified into:

 Thermal  Chemical and  Biochemical methods.

Thermal conversion processes use heat as the dominant mechanism to convert biomass into another chemical form. The basic alternatives of combustion (torrefaction, pyrolysis, and gasification) are separated principally by the extent to which the chemical reactions involved are allowed to proceed. Energy created by burning biomass is particularly suited for countries where the fuel wood grows more rapidly.

A range of chemical processes may be used to convert biomass into other forms, such as to produce a fuel that is more conveniently used, transported or stored, or to exploit some property of the process itself. As biomass is a natural material, many highly efficient biochemical processes have developed in nature to break down the molecules of which biomass is composed, and many of these biochemical conversion processes can be harnessed. Biochemical conversion makes use of the enzymes of bacteria and other microorganisms to break down biomass.

New Energy BIOMASS HELLAS S.A. was founded in 2005 and is based in Athens, Greece. The main subject of the company is the production and exploitation of electricity from RES (Renewable Energy Sources) and especially biomass.

Vaggelis Markakis – Grade B2

Compressed natural gas (CNG) (Methane stored at high pressure) can be used in place of gasoline (petrol), Diesel fuel andpropane/ LPG. CNG combustion produces fewer undesirable gases than the fuels mentioned above. It is safer than other fuels in the event of a spill, because natural gas is lighter than air and disperses quickly when released. CNG may be found above oil deposits, or may be collected from landfills or wastewater treatment plants where it is known as biogas.

CNG is made by compressing natural gas (which is mainly composed of methane,

CH4), to less than 1 percent of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure. It is stored and distributed in hard containers at a pressure of 20–25 MPa (2,900–3,600 psi), usually in cylindrical or spherical shapes. Top ten countries with the largest NGV vehicle fleets - 2013 (millions)

Registered Registered Rank Country Rank Country fleet fleet

1 Iran 3.50 6 Italy 0.82

2 Pakistan 2.79 7 Colombia 0.46

3 Argentina 2.28 8 Uzbekistan 0.45

4 Brazil 1.75 9 Thailand 0.42

5 China 1.58 10 India 0.38

World Total = 18.09 million NGV vehicles The cost and placement of fuel storage tanks is the major barrier to wider/quicker adoption of CNG as a fuel. It is also why municipal government, public transportation vehicles were the most visible early adopters of it, as they can more quickly amortize the money invested in the new (and usually cheaper) fuel. In spite of these circumstances, the number of vehicles in the world using CNG has grown steadily (30 percent per year). Now, as a result of industry's steady growing, the cost of such fuel storage tanks have been brought down to a much acceptable level. Especially for the CNG Type 1 and Type 2 tanks, many countries are able to make reliable and cost effective tanks for conversion need. The project involves an investment of €200 million for the construction of the refueling network over the next five years. The sites will be set primarily to serve trucks and buses, energypress.eu reported last week. CTIP Oil & Gas president and CEO Reda Ginena explained that local legal framework should be revised to permit CNG use as a transportation fuel. At the same time, the company is negotiating with Greek Government, a number of truck operators and possible station suppliers to make all this possible. CTIP has proposed the adoption of GNC on islands such as Crete and those remote areas where gas pipeline distribution would be costly.

The 40-station network will allow the conversion of 40.000 diesel vehicles to duel fuel system in the Attica region, according to Reda Ginena, during the company’s first press conference on Greek territory.

WAVE POWER

John Panagiotidis – Grade B2 Wave power is the transport of energy by ocean surface waves, and the capture of that energy to do useful work — for example for electricity generation, water desalination, or the pumping of water (into reservoirs).

Wave energy is produced when electricity generators are placed on the surface of the ocean. The energy provided is most often used in desalination plants, power plants and water pumps. Energy output is determined by wave height, wave speed, wavelength, and water density.

The rising and falling of the waves moves the buoy-like structure creating

mechanical energy which is converted into electricity and transmitted to shore over a submerged transmission line. Using the three-point mooring system, they are designed to be installed one to five miles offshore in water 100 to 200 feet deep.

Wave energy can be difficult to harness due to the unpredictability of the ocean and wave direction. Wave power generation is not currently a widely employed commercial technology although there have been attempts at using it since at least 1890. To date there are only a handful of experimental wave generator plants in operation around the world.

First wave farm

The world’s first commercial wave farm is based in Portugal, at the Aguçadora Wave Park, which consists of three 750 kilowatt Pelamis devices. Wave farms

• Wave farms have been created and are in use in Europe, using floating Pelamis Wave Energy converters. • Most wave power systems include the use of a floating buoyed device and generate energy through a snaking motion, or by mechanical movement from the waves peaks and troughs.

Wave power in Greece The governor of the Greek island of Crete met with representatives of the Russian company

Ocean Rus Energy. They explored the possible construction of the first on the Mediterranean sea wave power station. The island of Crete is interested in alternative sources of energy as tourism on the island is the main source of income, and naturally the island of Crete would like to become the most environmentally friendly.

The advantage of wave energy in this region is that the wave power does not occupy land area of the island.