WHY ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES ARE THE FUTURE?

Vocabulary Section

1. Be sure you know the following words and their translations.

Fossil fuels Горючі корисні копалини

Depletion Виснаження (ресурсів)
Non-renewable resources Не відновлювані ресурси
Power plant Електростанція
Sustainable energy Стійка енергетика
To harness energy Використовувати енергію
Energy developers Енергетики
Wind power Вітроенергетика
Solar photovoltaics Сонячна фотоелектрична енергія
(сонячні батареї)
Hydropower Гідроенергія
Nuclear power Атомна енергія
Solar power Сонячна енергія
Capacity factor Коефіцієнт потужності
Livestock Худоба
Landfill waste Відходи із звалищ
Anaerobic digestion Анаеробна переробка (ферментація)
Quick-reference list Короткий довідковий список
Versatile Універсальний
Fission process Процес поділу (атома)
Fuel cells Паливні елементи
Carbon footprint Викид вуглецевого газу
Diversify Розширити (диверсифікувати)
Utility-scale energy system Енергетична система комунального
масштабу
Economically friendly Економічно сприятливий
Electricity plan Тарифний план на електроенергію

2. Read the following text

Why Alternative Energy Sources Are the Future?

In the U.S., fossil fuels produce up to 80% of all energy that we consume. Our
current level of dependence on fossil fuels puts us on track for a rapid depletion of
these finite materials. Meaning, if we're not careful, we will run out of our precious,
non-renewable resources. That means no more oil, natural gas, and even coal.
Burning fossil fuels in power plants is hard also on the environment. We're
talking about everything from ocean and air pollution to the destruction of entire
ecosystems.
The good news is, we're now able to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels like
oil, coal, and natural gas, thanks to the growth of alternative energy sources. This
article will discuss what alternative energy is and why it's so important that we
transition from our dependence on fossil fuels to alternative energy sources. We'll
also take a look at the difference between alternative and renewable energy sources,
along with what sources of energy we're using today to meet our energy needs.
What Is Alternative Energy?
Fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas) are our most traditional source for
power generation. Therefore, the energy that's produced from any source other than
fossil fuels is alternative energy. In other words, alternative energy is any amount of
energy derived from non-fossil fuel sources. Generally speaking, using alternative
energy has a low environmental impact.
What's the Difference Between Renewable and Alternative Energy
Sources?
We now know that alternative energy sources are any source we use to
supplement or even replace traditional energy sources used for power generation.
You could almost say the same thing about renewable energy sources.
But there is one subtle difference between the two. All renewable energy sources fall
under the category of alternative energy sources, but it doesn't work the other way
around.
That's because renewable energy sources are derived from naturally
replenished sources or processes of Earth, such as the sun, wind, and water. We refer
to these resources as renewable or sustainable (as in sustainable energy) since, unlike
fossil fuels, this naturally occurring continual renewal makes them inexhaustible.
However, it's possible for there to be alternative energy sources that are exhaustible,
and therefore not renewable. That's the difference. So what alternative energy source
is exhaustible? You'll have to continue reading to find out.
What Are the Best Types of Alternative Energy Sources?
The equipment necessary to harness energy from alternative sources used to be
so expensive that it wasn't practical for consumer use. However, thanks to increased
demand, more experienced energy developers, competitive supply chains, improved
renewable technologies, and enhanced energy efficiency capabilities, that's no longer
the case.
In fact, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) released a report
back in 2020 showing how renewable power has now become increasingly cheaper
than fossil fuels for electricity generation. Let's look at a few of the best alternative
energy sources we use today.
What Are the Most Affordable Energy Production Options?
Onshore wind power and solar photovoltaics, respectively, are currently the
most affordable options when it comes to energy production. Using these two natural
resources over coal could save as much as $23 billion in yearly power system
expenses. It could also lower annual carbon dioxide emissions by 1.8 gigatons.
Bioenergy, geothermal energy, hydroelectric power, and nuclear energy are also
making their way into the financially competitive spotlight, depending significantly.
on location.
What Is the Most Efficient Alternative Energy Source?
When it comes to energy efficiency, the leader of the renewable energy pack is
wind energy. Behind wind come geothermal energy, hydropower, nuclear energy,
and then solar power.
What Are the Most Reliable Sources of Energy?
Out of all the known energy sources, nuclear energy has the highest capacity
factor by far. Nuclear power plants are able to produce maximum power over 93% of
the time on an annual basis. Next in line comes geothermal, followed by natural gas.
Natural gas is considered the cleanest burning and most reliable fossil fuel, but it still
isn't a clean energy resource. However, there is an alternative called renewable
natural gas (RNG). RNG also goes by the name of biomethane and is produced from
livestock, landfill waste, and other organic materials through anaerobic digestion.
While it's not a fossil fuel, RNG is completely identical to conventional natural gas in
chemical make-up, allowing them to use the same distribution system.
Which Alternative Energy Source Is Least Damaging to the Environment?
As it turns out, wind energy, which uses turbines to harness its power from the
wind, is one of the cleanest and most sustainable forms of electricity generation. It's
able to produce energy without generating any pollutants or global warming
emissions. Plus, the land and animal impact of wind turbines is minimal.
What Are the 9 Most Commonly Used Alternative Energy Sources?
Here's a quick-reference list of some of the most common sustainable energy
resources that we use today.
1. Wind Energy
Wind power has tripled over the past 10 years in the United States, making
wind energy the number one largest renewable energy source in the nation. Wind
power is one of the alternative energy sources that serves both individuals and entire
communities. It's versatile, and can be produced from small-scale windmills or wind
turbines on residential properties to large-scale offshore wind farms in the ocean.
2. Solar Energy
Solar power most commonly refers to the use of photovoltaic cells (or solar
cells) to create energy. On a small scale, you may see a few solar panels on a house
roof used to produce energy for just that one home. On a larger scale, you may see a
solar farm used as a power plant to produce electricity for their consumers.
3. Hydroelectric Energy
Generated from the energy of moving water, hydroelectricity (also known as
hydropower) is produced when water behind a dam causes turbine blades to move as
it flows through an intake. The turbine blades then rotate a generator to produce
electricity that is sent to power homes and businesses.
4. Geothermal Energy
We generate geothermal power by tapping into underground reservoirs of hot
water and steam. Geothermal electricity can directly heat and cool buildings.
5. Bioenergy
 We generate bioenergy from organic materials known as biomass or biofuels.
Some examples would be recently living animal or plant byproducts and wood. For
example, methane can be captured from landfills to produce bioenergy, which we
then used to produce electricity and heat. Ethanol is one example of a biofuel that
many people are familiar with.
6. Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy is created in the form of heat through the fission process of
atoms. The initial fission process creates energy and triggers a chain reaction that
repeats the process and generates more energy. In nuclear power plants, the heat that
fission produces creates steam. The steam then rotates a turbine, which leads to the
production of electricity.
7. Hydrogen Energy
Hydrogen is used as a clean-burning fuel, leading to fewer pollutants and a
cleaner environment. We also use it for fuel cells. These are similar to batteries and
are used to supply power to electric motors.
8. Tidal Energy
With the movement of the tides, we get tidal energy when the kinetic energy of
the water movement converts into electrical energy. Of course, this is one of the
location-specific sources of energy, but it's very effective. Tidal energy is renewable
and produces large amounts of energy even with low-speed tides.
9. Wave Energy
Wave energy is an alternative energy source derived from waves as they move
across the water. Wave energy uses electricity generators placed on the ocean's
surface. Wave height, wavelength, wave speed, and water density determine the
energy output. Wave energy is environmentally friendly, renewable, and harmless to
the atmosphere.
Which Alternative Energy Sources Are Non-Renewable?
While nuclear energy itself happens to be a renewable energy source, we do
not classify it in the renewable category. The material used in nuclear power plants to
create nuclear fission is typically a rare type of uranium, which is non-renewable.
 Another alternative energy source that is sometimes considered a non-
renewable source is biomass energy which relies on biomass feedstocks (plants that
are processed and burned for electricity generation). Biomass feedstocks include
crops like corn and soy. If you don't replant quickly enough, biomass energy turns
into a non-renewable energy source.
What Are the Benefits of Using Alternative Energy Sources?
Other names for renewable energy that you may hear are clean energy or green
energy. When we use renewable resources to produce energy, it's much gentler on the
environment than burning fossil fuels.
Governments and individual consumers alike have the ability to make a
substantial reduction in their carbon footprint, directly impacting global warming and
climate change, by seeking alternative energy sources. Let's take a look at the
environmental benefits of clean energy, along with the economic benefits it can offer:
 Conserve fossil fuels: We generate renewable energy by tapping into
virtually inexhaustible resources. When we use these natural resources, we're allowed
to conserve and extend our time with non-renewable fossil fuels, which are
dangerously close to depletion.
 Slow and reverse climate change: The top cause contributing to carbon
dioxide emissions in the United States is electricity generation from fossil fuel power
plants. Carbon dioxide and additional greenhouse gas emissions are leading
contributors to climate change and global warming. Alternative energy sources have
a much lower carbon footprint than natural gas, coal, and other fossil fuels. Switching
to renewable energy sources to produce electricity will help the planet by slowing and
reversing climate change.
 Save lives: Making the switch to just hydropower, wind energy, and
solar energy can potentially save up to 7 million lives each year by reducing air
pollutants.
 Reduce severe weather: By slowing the effects of climate change and
eventually reversing them, we can expect to see a reduction in extreme weather like
droughts. floods, and storms caused by global warming.
  Minimize fuel dependency: We can diversify our energy supply by
implementing the widespread use of large-scale renewable energy technologies and
minimizing our imported fuel dependency.
 Economic and job development: Producing even more utility-scale
energy systems can create economic growth as well as jobs in the installation and
manufacturing industries, not to mention the sustainable energy industry.
Can Alternative Energy Effectively Replace Fossil Fuels?
As alternative energy technologies continue to improve, the cost
simultaneously falls. Solar and wind power have unlocked the potential to generate
an energy reserve plentiful enough to meet the world's demand. When you look at
how affordable, effective, and economically friendly these powerhouses are, you
begin to see how we could displace fossil fuels within the next 30 years.
Most consumers agree that the benefits of using alternative energy sources far
outweigh any drawbacks. Not to mention, improved technology is continually
emerging to address and eliminate the disadvantages of various renewable resources.
You now understand the importance of making the switch to alternative energy
sources and why it's so vital to a healthy future, but how can you go about making
this necessary change? When you're ready, contact your energy supplier. Let them
know that you'd like to choose a new electricity plan or natural gas plan as part of
your energy conservation efforts. Inquire about green energy products and plan
options to get started on your new sustainable lifestyle.

3. Scan the text and answer the following questions.

4. Does the use of alternative energy have a low environmental impact?
5. What are renewable energy sources derived from?
6. When did the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) release
a report about renewable power?
7. What are currently the most affordable options when it comes to energy
production?
8. What is the most efficient alternative energy source?
9. What are the 9 most commonly used alternative energy sources?
 10. Which alternative energy sources are non-renewable?
11. Which alternative energy source is least damaging to the environment?
12. What are the benefits of using alternative energy sources?
13. Is it important to make the switch to alternative energy sources?

4. Match the words in column A with their definitions in column B.

A B
A Fossil fuel 1 is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide released
into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular
individual, organization, or community.
B Carbon 2 is the use of falling or fast-running water to produce
footprint electricity or to power machines.
C Renewable 3 is a hydrocarbon-containing material formed naturally
resource in the Earth’s crust from the remains of dead plants and
animals that is extracted and burned as a fuel.
D Power plant 4 is a natural resource which will replenish to replace the
portion depleted by usage and consumption, either through
natural reproduction or other recurring processes in a finite
amount of time in a human time scale.
E 5 is an industrial facility that generates electricity from
Hydropower primary energy.

5. Say whether the following statements are true or false.

1. We're now able to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels like oil, coal, and
natural gas, thanks to the growth of alternative energy sources.
2. Nuclear energy is created in the form of heat through the fission process of
atoms.
3. All renewable energy sources fall under the category of alternative energy
sources and vice versa.
 4. The equipment necessary to harness energy from alternative sources used to be
so expensive that it wasn't practical for consumer use.
5. Natural gas is considered the cleanest energy resource and most reliable fossil
fuel.

6. Find synonymous in the text

Capacity, energy, inexhaustible, buyer, manufacturing, potency, contaminant,
influence, the natural world, product.

7. Find antonyms in the text

Unlimited, improvement, indifference, stagnation, damage, inefficiency,

pricey, unambitious, gathering, containment.

8. Fill in the gaps

1. Our current level of dependence on … puts us on track for a rapid
depletion of these finite materials.
2. We're talking about everything from ocean and air pollution to the
destruction of entire… .
3. Generally speaking, using … has a low environmental impact.
4. As it turns out, … , which uses turbines to harness its power from the
wind, is one of the cleanest and most sustainable forms of electricity generation.
5. … most commonly refers to the use of photovoltaic cells (or solar cells)
to create energy.

9. Translate sentences from English into Ukrainian

1. Wind power is one of the alternative energy sources that serves both
individuals and entire communities.
2. Geothermal electricity can directly heat and cool buildings.
3. We generate bioenergy from organic materials known as biomass or
biofuels.
 4. Nuclear energy is created in the form of heat through the fission process
of atoms.
5. Hydrogen is used as a clean-burning fuel, leading to fewer pollutants and
a cleaner environment.
6. With the movement of the tides, we get tidal energy when the kinetic
energy of the water movement converts into electrical energy.
7. Wave energy is an alternative energy source derived from waves as they
move across the water.
8. Biomass feed stocks include crops like corn and soy.
9. Governments and individual consumers alike have the ability to make a
substantial reduction in their carbon footprint, directly impacting global warming and
climate change, by seeking alternative energy sources.
10. We generate renewable energy by tapping into virtually inexhaustible
resources.

10. Translate sentences from Ukrainian into English

1. Етанол є одним із прикладів біопалива, яке знайоме багатьом людям.
2. Енергія хвиль є екологічно чистою, відновлюваною та нешкідливою
для атмосфери.
3. Вуглекислий газ і додаткові викиди парникових газів є основними
причинами зміни клімату та глобального потепління.
4. Альтернативні джерела енергії мають набагато менший вуглецевий
слід, ніж природний газ, вугілля та інші види горючих копалин.
5. Сонячна енергія та енергія вітру розкрили потенціал для створення
достатнього запасу енергії, щоб задовольнити світовий попит.
6. Більшість споживачів мають спільну думку, що користь від
використання альтернативних джерел енергії значно переважає будь-які
недоліки.
7. Перехід на відновлювані джерела енергії для виробництва
електроенергії допоможе планеті, уповільнивши та надавши зворотного
процесу кліматичним змінам.
 8. Матеріал, який використовують на атомних електростанціях для
створення поділу ядра, зазвичай є рідкісним типом урану, який не можна
відновити.
9. Вітер здатний виробляти енергію, не створюючи жодних
забруднюючих речовин і не викликаючи глобального потепління.
10. Коли справа доходить до енергоефективності, лідером серед
відновлюваних джерел енергії є енергія вітру.