Work Cited Rincon, Paul. Nuclear fusion milestone passed at US lab BBC. 7 Oct. 2013 Web. 25 Mar. 2014.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24429621 Solar Energy, National Geographic, Web. 25 Mar. 2014. http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/solar-power-profile/ The Inside of a Wind Turbine, Energy.gov, Web. 25 Mar. 2014. http://energy.gov/eere/wind/inside-wind-turbine-0 Images Galaxy: http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/635040main_potw1213a.jpg NIF reaction: http://www.fusenet.eu/sites/default/files/nif_hohlraum-sketch_big.jpg Solar panels: http://conserve-energy-future.com/Images/Solar_Power.jpg Wind farm: http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/146/8/d/windmill_farm_by_tydrace-d5153dg.png

Nuclear Fusion as an Alternative Energy

Ryker Chute

Over the past decade, the threat of global warming has become a growing problem across the world, threatening all walks of life. This is caused by the increased CO2 emissions created through the burning of fossil fuels, which causes the green house affect. Fossil fuels are the number one source of the worlds power. The focus of research and development has shifted in the past decade to alternative forms of energy. Some of the more popular alternative energies are solar and wind. These are popular forms of alternative energies due to the fact they come from renewable sources. The purpose of this info graphic is to compare nuclear fusion to solar and wind energy as forms of alternative energies. Pros Is a renewable resource Creates no pollution High energy output Can be installed almost anywhere Does not require a power grid Cons Expensive to manufacture solar panels Relies on consistent sunshine Generates no power at night Requires large amount of land for large output Requires a lot of maintenance

Solar energy is the harnessing of the suns ray, and converting it to electricity. This is achieved through multiple ways, while the most popular being the use of solar panels. These photovoltaic cells work by being made of semiconductor materials that get hit by the suns ray. This causes electrons to be knocked loose from their atoms, creating a flow of electricity (National Geographic).

Solar

Wind energy is when electricity is created by using the power of the wind to turn a turbine. When the wind blows anywhere from 10 to 50 mph, wind turbines are turned on to start collecting energy. The wind will push three rotary blades which spin anywhere from 30 to 60 rpms. A gear box is then used to boost this rotational energy to about 1000 rpm, which powers the turbine, creating a flow of electricity (Energy.gov).

Pros Is a renewable resource Creates no pollution Can be installed in most climates Low maintenance requirement Mid to high range energy output

Cons Requires a large amount of land Expensive to install and manufacture Creates a lot of noise, and unpleasant to look at Energy output is very unpredictable and variable Potentially harmful to flying creatures

Wind

Nuclear fusion is the harnessing of the energy that holds the atoms together. The sun uses nuclear fusion to create the heat and light needed for life. At the National Ignition Facility in Livermore, California, scientists have been trying to recreate this reaction. By firing 192 high powered lasers at a small pellet of hydrogen fuel, they hope to create the heat and pressure needed for fusion to occur (Rincon).

Pros Fuel is extremely abundant Creates a large amount of energy Is not restricted by geography Consistent energy output Uses VERY large lasers

Cons Creates slightly radioactive waste Has not been perfected yet Incredibly expensive to construct Same technology as thermonuclear weapons Requires a large amount of energy to ignite

Fusion