Chapter 16 Renewable Energy

The best way to reduce our unnecessary waste of energy is to improve _____.

• solar cells

• hydroelectric power

• coal mining techniques

• energy efficiency

• hydrogen cells

Which of the following is least likely to waste large amounts of energy and money when used?

• incandescent light bulbs

• internal combustion engine

• nuclear power plants

• coal-fired power plants

• mass transit

What is the least feasible method for industries to cut energy waste?

• using combined heat and power systems

• replacing energy-wasting electric motors

• switching from coal-burning power plants to nuclear power plants

• recycling materials

• switching from incandescent lighting to fluorescent lighting and LED lighting

What is not considered to be a hidden cost of a gallon of gasoline?

• government subsidies for oil companies

• tax breaks for car manufacturers and road builders

• research and development for hybrid cars

• cost of pollution control and cleanup

• costs of military protection of oil supplies in the Middle East

What is not an effective means of saving energy in transportation?

• taxing gasoline

• switching from electrified rail systems to diesel-powered systems

• giving tax breaks on fuel efficient automobiles

• encouraging bicycle use by building bike lanes along highways and city streets

• building accessible mass transit systems

The weakness of electric cars is their ____.

• noise level

• maintenance cost

• batteries

• slow acceleration

Fuel efficiency for all types of cars would nearly double if ____.

• all cars were diesels

• all cars used wind power

• all cars were made from ultrastrong, ultralight composite materials

• all cars were shared

What is not an effective means of improving the energy efficiency of buildings?

• use of energy-efficient appliances

• use of energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs

• plugging leaks

• building big windows into the northern side of new housing

• use energy-efficient windows

Cutting down on energy waste has many benefits, yet few people take advantage of the cost savings. What is the least likely reason for this anomaly?

• The government gives tax breaks and subsidies to employees only.

• The market price for energy does not include environmental and health costs.

• There are very few incentives for consumers to use energy-efficient products.

• The government has placed too much focus on encouraging car fuel efficiency.

• People tend to resist change even if it saves them money.

Which country gets 95% of its energy from renewable sources?

• Denmark

• Brazil

• Iceland

• Costa Rica

• China