Welcome to the Sustainable Energy Forum Website
Welcome to the Sustainable Energy Forum's (SEF) website, SEF is a multidisciplinary UNR student organization. The mission of the Sustainable Energy Forum is to promote awareness of contemporary and future energy and environmental problems and to spread awareness about available alternatives. We feel that these goals will be achieved through the education of SEF's member of various energy and environmental concerns and needs, outreach to K-12 students, and community based projects.
Why is Renewable Energy Important?
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Renewable energy technologies are clean sources of energy that have a much lower environmental impact than conventional energy technologies.
ENERGY FOR OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN'S CHILDREN
Renewable energy will not run out. Ever. Other sources of energy (fossil fuels) are finite and will someday be depleted.
JOBS AND THE ECONOMY
Most renewable energy investments are spent on materials and workmanship to build and maintain the facilities, rather than on costly energy imports. Renewable energy investments are usually spent within the United States, frequently in the same state, and often in the same town. This means your energy dollars stay home to create jobs and fuel local economies, rather than going overseas.
Meanwhile, renewable energy technologies developed and built in the United States are being sold overseas, providing a boost to the U.S. trade deficit.
ENERGY SECURITY
After the oil supply disruptions of the early 1970s, our nation has increased its dependence on foreign oil supplies instead of decreasing it. This increased dependence influences more than just our national energy policy.
Contact the Sustainable Energy Forum
Mailing Address:
University of Nevada, Reno
Sustainable Energy Forum
ASUN Mailstop 058
Reno, NV 89557
e-mail: sef.unr@gmail.com
Photos
"Greener Energy Options"
A fuel cell is an electrochemical conversion device. It produces electricity from fuel which react in the presence of an electrolyte.
"Biomass conversion" uses organic materials--such as wood, lawn and garden clippings, agricultural waste, leaves, tree pruning as well as nonrecyclable paper--to produce heat or electricity.
Photovoltaics (PV) is the field of technology and research related to the application of solar cells for energy by converting solar energy (sunlight, including ultra violet radiation) directly into electricity.
Wind power and hydropower is the conversion of wind and water energy into a useful form, such as electricity, e.g. using turbines.
Ways to reduce energy intensity and carbon emissions by changing the way industry uses energy.
Geothermal power (from the Greek roots geo, meaning earth, and thermos, meaning heat) is power extracted from heat stored in the earth.
Nuclear energy is released by the splitting (fission) or merging together (fusion) of the nuclei of atom(s).
Developing more energy efficient and environmentally friendly highway transportation technologies that will enable America to use less petroleum.
Recycling involves processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials.