Quiz on Renewable Energy, Land Use, and NIMBY

What is one of the main challenges associated with renewable sources of electricity?

• Air pollution

• Noise pollution

• Land-intensive generation

• High fuel transportation costs

Why do renewable energy systems tend to be more widely-distributed geographically?

• Because they are less efficient

• Because the fuel can't be transported

• Because they produce more energy

• Because they are cheaper to build

What is a common concern about wind projects?

• They are too expensive

• They produce too much energy

• They impact scenic views

• They are difficult to maintain

What does the term "energy density" refer to?

• The amount of energy contained in a fuel by volume or weight

• The cost of producing energy

• The environmental impact of energy production

• The efficiency of energy conversion

What is a significant difference between renewable energy systems and fossil fuel systems?

• Renewable energy systems are less efficient

• Renewable energy systems use more land

• Fossil fuel systems are more expensive

• Fossil fuel systems are more widely distributed

What is power density?

• The amount of energy produced per unit of fuel.

• The land surface area needed to produce a given amount of energy.

• The efficiency of solar panels and wind turbines.

• The average duration of sunshine or wind over time.

Which of the following factors does NOT weigh into the overall power density?

• Average intensity and duration of sunshine or wind over time.

• Conversion efficiency of the solar panel or wind turbine.

• The type of fuel used in power generation.

• The land area covered by solar panels or wind turbines.

How does the power density of renewable power compare to that of fossil fuel power?

• Renewable power has a higher power density.

• Renewable power has a lower power density.

• Both have the same power density.

• Power density is not applicable to renewable power.

What is the power density range for the fossil fuel electricity system in the United States?

• Less than 200 to nearly 1,000 watts (W) per square meter (W/m²).

• 1 to 2 W/m².

• 10 W/m².

• 2,500 W/m².

What is the average power density of solar photovoltaic cells in sunny locations?

• 1 to 2 W/m².

• 10 W/m².

• 200 W/m².

• 1,000 W/m².