Alternative Energy Resources

Alternative Energy Resources

Fossils fuels provide the United States with the majority of the country’s energy demands; however, fossil fuels are nonrenewable and will not replenish quickly. Renewable resources will not run out. These resources also produce a lot less pollution and environmental effects. There are even alternative nonrenewable energy resources that are used to create electricity. In this interactivity, learn about the different alternative energy resources that currently exist to help reduce the demand of fossil fuels. Click the player button to begin.

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Virginia’s Renewable Energy Potential

Virginia relies on fossil fuels to meet much of its energy demands. Together, petroleum, coal, and natural gas are responsible for the majority of energy production in the state. However, Virginia does have the potential to rely more on renewable energy resources. For example, Virginia has abundant biomass. In 2015, biomass energy produced just five percent of the Virginia’s total electricity generation. Biomass energy provides a potential benefit for Virginia. Virginia could increase the use of wood waste, solid waste, and landfill gas to produce electricity.

Hydroelectric energy generation accounts for less than two percent of Virginia’s net electricity production. Additional hydroelectric production in Virginia is limited due to available water resources. Virginia’s largest hydroelectric facility is located in Bath County. Water at this facility is pumped through turbines using electricity to meet demands when electricity prices are the highest. One benefit of producing electricity at Bath county is lower energy costs. However, this facility it is not efficient when it comes to large scale energy production.

Wind energy in Virginia is limited onshore. Most onshore wind farms would be located on top of scenic ridges or picturesque landscapes. For this reason, wind energy faces opposition from many local Virginia residents. Offshore potential exists in the Atlantic Ocean and in the Chesapeake Bay. If the wind energy could be harnessed that is located offshore, it would be a great benefit to Virginians. An offshore wind farm could produce a large quantity of renewable energy. The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy is still conducting research on building a test facility on the continental shelf off the coast of Virginia. The main opposition facing offshore development is cost: it is very expensive to invest in offshore wind facilities without knowing exactly how much energy the facilities could create.

Another benefit exists as renewable solar energy prices are beginning to decline. If this trend continues, solar energy could become a great source of renewable energy in the state. At this time, solar energy’s biggest flaw occurs when electricity demand is at its highest because solar energy collection cannot be increased to meet increasing demand.

Virginia has no large facility to create a large quantity of geothermal energy. The only potential for geothermal energy lies in the western part of the state in Bath County. Throughout Virginia, home and business owners can benefit from the use of geothermal heat pumps to heat and cool buildings. At this time, geothermal energy potential is extremely limited.

 

Alternative Energy Resources Review

Now that you have explored energy resources, review your knowledge. In this non-graded activity, read the directions associated with each question to provide the correct responses. Click the player button to get started.