UNIT 5: Earth and Space, Part 2
Lesson 3: Alternative Energy Resources
Alternative Energy Resources
The word alternative means a possibility, or substitute, for
something else. Alternative energy resources are energy
sources other than nonrenewable resources, or fossil fuels.
Wind
Wind is an alternative energy resource. An unlimited amount of
wind energy exists on Earth.
Remember the pinwheel? Did you blow on the blades to make
them turn? If you did, you used wind energy to make the
pinwheel turn.
Today wind turbines are used to produce electricity. A group of
wind turbines is called a wind farm.
wind turbines
How is
electricity produced by a turbine? Wind causes the
blades of a wind turbine to turn. The turning of the blades runs
the generator, producing electricity.
