Energy+Research

 Energy Considerations :
 * upfront costs for materials
 * materials to be used (do they need to be imported?)
 * space needed to build components (do trees need to be cleared?)
 * affect on environment (land to be cleared, affect on local wildlife habitats)
 * reliability of resource (wind, solar and hydro/wave are dependant on weather conditions)
 * waste produced

==== **Solar:** Solar energy is an alternative and renewable energy source that is becoming more accessible for everyday households. In simplified terms, the light from the sun is transfered into electric energy by solar panels which contain photovoltaic cells made from silicon. This is then converted into usable electricity (AC Power) that can be used in the home. Solar energy can also be used to heat water and thus no conversion or subsequent loss of energy occurs (Alternate Energy Sources, 2010).====

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** Wind :** This type of power works by turbine blades capturing kinetic energy of the moving wind (and water particles). Once the blades start moving, they spin a shaft which connects to the hub of rotor of a generator. This generator converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy. As with most sources, there are strengths and weaknesses to consider. One weakness is the reliance on having a wind supply, which can be intermittent (Layton, 2006).

**Hydroelectric:** Task Force leaders have just given us information about the rivers (especially the main river from the high forest to the port entrance) being quite fast flowing and strong. This is ideal for hydroelectric power. It is the production of electricity from the kinetic energy and gravitational force of flowing or falling water (Wikipedia, 2011). Simplified versions of this are watermills.

Hydroelectric power generated by the potential energy of large bodies of water does devastate the environment because it relies on damming up rivers to provide the force which creates the energy (Watson, 2010). However in some instances, creating a dam is helpful in managing flooding, which is an issue on our island. An example of this is the Wivenhoe Dam across the Brisbane River. Near our settlement it may be more useful to have a small hydro set up to supply power for only essentials.

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= = = =**Less known renewable energy sources:** =

Some less known energy sources which could be used for our settlement are **Tidal power** and **Wave power**. These are both forms of hydroenergy and harness the power of water in tides (usually at the mouths of tidal fivers) and waves at sea. They are more consistant than wind or solar and both of these could be used in our settlement if the conditions proved to be compatable. For tidal power to be effective, high tidal ranges and flow velocities are needed. Wave power is more effective in deep seas so whether or not the coastline has reefs wouild impact on its effectiveness for our settlement.

**Bioethonol** is a biofuel made largely by fermenting the sugar components of plant materials and it is made mostly from sugar and crops. Because of the landscape around our settlement and the possible chance of flooding from the rivers, crops such as sugarcane would grow well supllying us with the sugar and the basis for one type of bioethonol.

**Green Diesel** is a biodeisel that can be made from a number of different plant oils including //Salicornia// which should be able to be grown along the coast line near our settlement. The saliconia plant also produces edible fruits and can be used as fodder for livestock such as goats and sheep. Tha advantages to having some kind of diesel available on the island would be for transport vehicles, particularly boats.

Alternative Energy Sources. (2010). How does solar energy work. Retrieved August 1, 2011, from []

Layton, J. (2006). How wind power works. Retrieved August 1, 2011, from []

Wikipedia. (2011). Hydroelectricity. Retrieved August 1, 2011, from []

Watson, R. (2010). Hydro power in Australia. Retrieved August 1, 2011, from [|http://www.sustainableenergy.com.au/hydro_power.htm]