Chapter 1. Renewable energy (возобновляемая энергия)

Part I

Exercise 1. Read and translate the text, using the words below.

Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable (naturally replenished). In 2006, about 18% of global final energy consumption came from renewables, with 13% coming from traditional biomass such as wood-burning and 3% from hydroelectricity. New renewables (small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels) accounted for 2.4% grow very rapidly. The share of renewables in electricity generation is about 18%, with 15% of global electricity coming from hydroelectricity and 3.4% from new renewables.

Wind power is growing at the rate of 30% annually with a worldwide installed capacity of 121,000 megawatts (MW) in 2008 and is widely used in European countries and the United States. Solar thermal power stations operate in the USA and Spain, and the largest of them is the 354 MW SEGS power plant in the Mojave Desert. The world's largest geothermal power installation is The Geysers in California with a rated capacity of 750 MW. Brazil has one of the largest renewable energy programs in the world, involving production of ethanol fuel from sugar cane, and ethanol now provides 18% of the country's automotive fuel. Ethanol fuel is also widely available in the USA.

While most renewable energy projects and production is large-scale, renewable technologies are also suited to small off-grid applications, sometimes in rural and remote areas, where energy is often crucial in human development. Kenya has the world's highest household solar ownership rate with roughly 30,000 small (20–100 watt) solar power systems sold per year.

Some renewable energy technologies are criticized for being intermittent or unsightly, yet the renewable energy market continues to grow. Climate change concerns, coupled with high oil prices, peak oil, and increasing government support, are driving increasing renewable energy legislation, incentives and commercialization.

The majority of renewable energy technologies are powered by the sun. The Earth-Atmosphere system is in equilibrium such that heat radiation into space is equal to incoming solar radiation, the resulting level of energy within the Earth-Atmosphere system can roughly be described as the Earth's "climate." The hydrosphere (water) absorbs a major fraction of the incoming radiation. Most radiation is absorbed at low latitudes around the equator, but this energy is dissipated around the globe in the form of winds and ocean currents. Wave motion may play a role in the process of transferring mechanical energy between the atmosphere and the ocean through wind stress. Solar energy is also responsible for the distribution of precipitation which is tapped by hydroelectric projects, and for the growth of plants used to create biofuels.

Renewable energy flows involve natural phenomena such as sunlight, wind, tides and geothermal heat, as the International Energy Agency explains.

Renewable energy is derived from natural processes that are replenished constantly. In its various forms, it derives directly from the sun, or from heat generated deep within the earth.

Words to be remembered.

renewable – возобновляемый
tide – морской прилив и отлив
to replenish – пополнять
Mojave Desert -
ethanol – этанол
sugar cane – сахарный тростник
off grid applications -
rural – сельский
remote – отдаленный, дальний
intermittent – перемежающийся
equilibrium – равновесие
heat radiation – тепловая радиация
incoming – поступающий
to absorb – поглощать
fraction – часть, доля
latitude – широта
to dissipate – рассеивать, расточать
wave motion – движение волны
to transfer – переносить, преобразовывать

precipitation – осадки

 

Exercise 2. Answer the following questions.

1) What is renewable energy?
2) What natural resources of energy do you know?
3) What are new renewables?
4) What is the capacity of world’s largest geothermal power installation?
5) What is the majority of renewable energy technologies powered by?
6) What absorbs a major fraction of the incoming radiation?
7) Where is most radiation absorbed?
8) What is solar energy responsible for?

Exercise 3. Say whether the statements are true or false. Correct them if necessary.

1) New renewable (small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal and bio fuels) grow very gradually.
2) Wind power can’t find its application in modern world.
3) Spain has the largest renewable energy program involving production of ethanol fuel from sugar cane.
4) The Earth – Atmosphere system is in equilibrium such that heat radiation into space is equal to incoming solar radiation.
5)Most radiation is absorbed at high latitude, and it is dissipated around the globe in the form of winds and ocean currents.
6) Renewable energy is derived from natural processes that are never replenished.

Exercise 4. Make up sentences from two parts.

1) Some renewable energy technologies are criticized… 2) Renewable technologies are also suited to small off – grid applications… 3) Wave motion may play a role in the process of transferring mechanical energy… 4) Solar energy is responsible for the distribution of precipitation and … 5) Renewable energy flows involve natural phenomena such as…

between the atmosphere and the ocean through wind stress. for the growth of plants used to create bio- fuels. sunlight, wind, tides and geothermal heat. for being intermittent or unsightly, yet the renewable energy market continues to grow. sometimes in rural and remote areas where energy is often crucial in human development.

Exercise 5. Find the proper English equivalents to the given Russian terms.

1. возобновляемая энергия	1. equilibrium
2. природные ресурсы	2. a major fraction
3. потребление энергии	3. annually
4. биотопливо	4. solar thermal power station
5. ежегодно	5. natural resources
6. солнечные теплоэнергостанции	6. distribution of precipitation
7. сахарный тростник	7. renewable energy
8. равновесие	8. incoming radiation
9. распределение осадков	9. bio-fuel
10. поступающая радиация	10. energy consumption
11. большая часть	11. sugar cane

 

Exercise 6. Open the brackets, using the verb in the necessary form.

1) The share of renewables in electricity generation (to be) around 18%.
2) Ethanol fuel (to be) also widely available in the USA.
3) Kenya (to have) the world’s highest household solar ownership rate with roughly 30.000 small solar power systems sold per year.
4) Most radiation (to absorb) at low latitudes around the equator.
5) Renewable energy (to derive) from natural processes that (to replenish) constantly.

Exercise 7. Find Participles in the following sentences and define their forms.

1) Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable (naturally replenished).
2) New renewables (small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and bio-fuels) accounted for 2.4% grow very rapidly.

3) Brazil has one of the largest renewable energy programs in the world, involving production of ethanol fuel from sugar cane, and ethanol now provides 18% of the country's automotive fuel.

4) Climate change concerns, coupled with high oil prices, peak oil, and increasing government support, are driving increasing renewable energy legislation, incentives and commercialization.

5) In its various forms, it derives directly from the sun, or from heat generated deep within the earth.

 

Exercise 8. Retell the text.

Part II

Exercise 1. Read and translate the text, using the words below.

Renewable energy is generally defined as energy that comes from resources which are naturally replenished on a human timescale such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat. Renewable energy replaces conventional fuels in four distinct areas: electricity generation, hot water/space heating, motor fuels, and rural (off-grid) energy services.

Based on REN21's (the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century) 2014 report, renewables contributed 19 percent to our energy consumption and 22 percent to our electricity generation in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Both, modern renewables, such as hydro, wind, solar and biofuels, as well as traditional biomass, contributed in about equal parts to the global energy supply. Worldwide investments in renewable technologies amounted to more than US$ 214 billion in 2013, with countries like China and the United States heavily investing in wind, hydro, solar and biofuels.

Renewable energy resources exist over wide geographical areas, in contrast to other energy sources, which are concentrated in a limited number of countries. Rapid deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency is resulting in significant energy security, climate change mitigation, and economic benefits. In international public opinion surveys there is strong support for promoting renewable sources such as solar power and wind power. At the national level, at least 30 nations around the world already have renewable energy contributing more than 20 percent of energy supply. National renewable energy markets are projected to continue to grow strongly in the coming decade and beyond.

United Nations' Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that renewable energy has the ability to lift the poorest nations to new levels of prosperity.

The technologies featured here will make our families healthier, more secure, and more prosperous by improving our air quality, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, curbing global warming, adding good jobs to the economy and - when they're properly sited - protecting environmental values such as habitat and water quality. Working together, policymakers, communities, businesses, investors, utilities, and farmers can help to build a sustainable future for America and the planet.

Every state in America can produce its own energy from clean, renewable sources, keeping millions of energy dollars in-state, reducing pollution, and creating new jobs and new sources of income. With the right policies in place, states and localities can harness their own natural resources - from farmland and sunshine to wind and skilled labor - to develop a local renewable energy industry.

 

Exercise 2. Answer the following questions.

1) What are renewable natural resources?

2) What leads to an increase in energy security?

3) In what industries does renewable energy replace fossil fuels?

4) How do you understand the concept of energy security?

5) How many countries have more than 20 percent of energy from renewable resources?

6) What renewable resources do you know?

7) Do you have solar panels in your city?

8) What can help to build a sustainable future?

9) What different methods of saving energy do you know?

10) What are the advantages of renewable energy?

 

Exercise 3. Find the proper Russian equivalents to the given English terms.

energy supply	природные ресурсы
environmental values	квалифицированные работники
reducing pollution	биотопливо
geothermal heat	производство электроэнергии
skilled labor	экологические ценности
electricity generation	энергоснабжение
natural resources	потребление энергии
solar power	снижение уровня загрязнения
energy consumption	солнечная энергия
biofuels	потребление энергии

 

Exercise 4. Make up sentences from the words given below.

1) energy sources, exist, renewable energy, over, geographical areas, wide, to, other, resources, in contrast.

2) help, the planet, working, policymakers, communities, a sustainable, businesses, utilities, and, can, build, future, for America, and, together, investors, farmers.

3) public, opinion, surveys, renewable sources, there is, wind power, support, for, promoting, such as, In international, solar power, and, strong.

4) in 2013, investments, Worldwide, US$, in, technologies, to, renewable, more, than, amounted, 214 billion.

5) dollars in-state, Every state, can, energy, renewable sources, its own, keeping, millions, produce, of energy, in America, from.

6) more prosperous,, here, our families, more secure, the technologies and, featured, healthier, will make.

7) fuels, featured, on, will, technology, reduce, fossil, here, our dependence.

8) modern, hydro, wind, solar, and, renewables, biofuels, as well, as traditional, in about, contributed, equal parts, biomass, to the global, energy supply, Both, such as.

9) timescale, which, renewable energy, is, defined, replenished, as energy, from, are naturally, on a human, generally, that comes, resources.

10) fuels, in four, areas, energy, conventional, distinct, replaces, renewable.

 

Exercise 5. Make up sentences from two parts.

A:

1) Growth in wind power exceeded 20 percent

2) By 2007 more than 60 countries had adopted policy targets

3) The goal includes plans to cut emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 percent

4) For example, California has required its major utility companies to produce

5) Exposure to these pollutants can cause heart disease,

6) Currently, very little of the world’s power

7) About 15 percent of the world's total electricity

8) At least 60 countries have some type of policy

9) Mandates for blending biofuels into vehicle fuels

10) National renewable energy markets are projected to

B:

1)...to increase the proportion of energy they derive from renewable sources.

2)...20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2010.

3)...to promote renewable power generation.

4)...and photovoltaic grew at 30 percent annually in the 1990s.

5)...and to ensure that 10 percent of all fuel consumption comes from biofuels.

6)...continue to grow strongly in the coming decade and beyond.

7)...is from renewables like wind and solar.

8)...have been enacted in 17 countries.

9)...comes from large hydroelectric power plants.

10)...asthma, and other human health problems.

Exercise 6. Say whether the statements are true or false. Prove it with the text.

1) Renewable energy replaces conventional fuels in four distinct areas.

2) No state in America cannot produce its own energy from clean, renewable sources.

3) The UN Secretary-General ban Ki-moon, the UN stated that renewable energy sources do not have the ability to lift the poorest countries to a new level of prosperity.

4) Working together, policymakers, communities, businesses, investors, utilities, and farmers can help build a sustainable future for America and the planet.

5) The technologies featured here will make our families healthier.

6) The application of new technologies disastrous effect on the state of the environment and water.

7) With the right policies in place, states and localities can harness their own natural resources.

8) Technology use of renewable resources was not invested.

9) Sunlight and wind - exhaustible resources.

10) Renewable energy resources exist over wide geographical areas, in contrast to other energy sources, which are concentrated in a limited number of countries.

 

Exercise 7. Place the sentences in the right order.

1. It is a good idea to use the power of wind and ocean tides to generate electricity. 2. People have practically limited supplies of coal, oil, and natural gas which cannot be replaced. 3. On the whole, there are many ways to produce energy without using up natural non-renewable resources and damaging the environment. 4. Firstly, we should make more use of solar power. 5. It is high time to start doing as much as possible to protect the Earth. 6. If we fitted solar panels to the roofs of our houses, we would have a very cheap way of heating water for domestic purposes. 7. The sooner we initiate wide usage of alternative energy sources, the better.

 

Exercise 8. Translate the following word expressions. Match them with their definitions below.

1) Energy efficiency

2) Renewable resources

3) Non-renewable resources

4) By-product

5) Solar battery

6) Windmill

7) Geothermal energy

8) Nuclear energy

9) Ultraviolet

10) Electric current

1. Natural resources that can be recovered in a more or less short period of time allowed in the scale of human life.

2. A device that converts solar energy into DC electric current.

3. The mechanism that performs mechanical work using the energy of wind.

4. Electromagnetic radiation, which occupies the range between the visible and x-ray radiation.

5. Obtaining thermal or electric energy due to the heat of the earth's depths

6. The process of implementation of various measures designed to increase the efficiency of use of fuel and energy resources.

7. The directed movement of charged particles.

8. The product resulting from the manufacture of the basic Product

9. The energy contained in the nucleus of an atom and released during nuclear reactions and radioactive decay.

10. Resources that are not recovering their own and cannot be restored artificially.

 

Exercise 9. Complete the sentences.

1) The renewable energy source may be...

2) Renewable energy sources differ from non-renewable...

3) Hydropower installed on...

4) Nuclear power plants are located in...

5) Similar charges...

6) Windmills were built...

7) Solar panels absorb...

8) Worldwide investments in renewable technologies amounted to more than...

9) At the national level, at least 30 nations around the world...

10) United Nations' Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said...

 

Exercise 10. Make up the plan of the text.

Exercise 11. Retell the text according to the plan.

 

 

CHAPTER 2. SOURCES OF ENERGY (ИСТОЧНИКИ ЭНЕРГИИ)

Exercise 1. Read and translate the text, using the words below.

The scientific definition of energy is that “Energy is an indirectly observed physical quantity which is the ability of body or a system to do work.” On a logical point of view, we can understand energy as something, which enables us to do work. If we have energy then work can be done. Energy is conserved in systems, meaning that it can neither be created nor destroyed but is inter-convertible into its different forms. Some of the many forms of energy are:

1. Kinetic energy

2. Potential energy

3. Gravitational energy

4. Nuclear energy

5. Chemical energy

6. Heat energy

7. Electrical energy

8. Electromagnetic energy

9. Sound energy

10. Solar energy.

We live in the age of technology and machines which need various forms of energy to make them work. The general household contraptions require electricity to make them work. Vehicles on the other hand need kinetic energy to move it. The resources from which the required energy is harvested are known as “Sources of Energy”. In nature, all biological systems harvest their energy from the sun, directly or indirectly. Plants utilize the solar energy from the sun and produce carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis. Herbivorous animals get their energy by eating these plants and carnivorous animals get their energy by eating these animals and the food chain continues.

These sources of energy may not always give energy in the form we require but whatever form is harvested from the source is converted by the prescribed mechanisms and converted into useful energy. For example, the engine of a car runs by the combustion of fuel i.e., the chemical energy released from the combustion of the fuel causes the air in the engine cylinder to expand which in turn moves a piston causing a shaft to rotate and consequently producing torque to rotate the types of the vehicle to move it. In the case of electricity produced from nuclear reactors, chain reactions of radioactive uranium releases enormous amounts of heat, which heats up water present around it giving rise to a lot steam. This steam is used to rotate turbines, which produce electrical energy. So, in order to produce electrical energy, we utilize the nuclear energy from the uranium making it an indirect source of electrical energy.

Words to be remembered.