REP Environmental Impacts of Renewables 2

Question 1

Which environmental concern is most commonly associated with large-scale hydropower dams?

Accepted Answer

Disruption of fish migration and aquatic ecosystems

Answer

Large dams block fish migration routes and alter downstream flow, temperature, and sediment transport, significantly disrupting aquatic ecosystems.

Question 2

What is 'land use intensity' in the context of comparing renewable energy sources?

Accepted Answer

The area of land required to generate a unit of electricity

Answer

Land use intensity measures how many acres or hectares are needed per unit of energy output, allowing comparison of the footprint of different energy technologies.

Question 3

Which byproduct of manufacturing crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells poses the greatest toxicity concern?

Accepted Answer

Trichlorosilane (TCS)

Answer

Trichlorosilane is a highly flammable and toxic chemical used in the Siemens process for purifying silicon, requiring careful handling and disposal.

Question 4

Wind farms are often sited offshore to reduce which onshore environmental impact?

Accepted Answer

Visual impact and noise disturbance to human communities

Answer

Offshore siting removes turbines from view and reduces noise exposure for nearby residents, addressing two of the most common community objections to wind development.

Question 5

What environmental benefit does geothermal energy have compared to fossil fuel power plants of equivalent capacity?

Accepted Answer

It has dramatically lower CO2 emissions per kilowatt-hour

Answer

Geothermal plants emit far less CO2 per kWh than fossil fuel plants, though binary-cycle plants approach near-zero emissions while flash and dry steam plants release some geothermal gases.

(REP) Certified Renewable Energy Professional Practice Test

(REP) Certified Renewable Energy Professional Practice Test

REP Environmental Impacts of Renewables 2