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Answer to Green Energy Quiz from the June Issue:

• What does BTU stand for and what is it used for?
  Answer: BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and it is a unit of measurement for energy. Although it could be used to measure any type of energy, it is most commonly used to quantify heat, or thermal energy.
  
  
• What is measured in kWh (power or energy?)
  Answer: kWh is a measure of energy, it is normally used to measure amount of electrical energy used or produced.
  
  
• How many watts equal one horse-power?
  Answer: 746 watts is equivalent to one horse power (hp).
  
  
• What is the typical power requirement of a household microwave oven (give a range of values)?
  Answer: Typical power of a household microwave oven can range from around 600 watts to a little over 1000 watts.

Answer to Green Energy Quiz from the July Issue:

• Most sources of energy on our planet, including fossil fuels owe their energy content to the the radiant energy of the sun. What are some of the energy sources in use today that are independent of the sun?
  Answer: Tidal, geothermal and nuclear energy are three such sources.
  
  
• What is the most powerful wind machine ever built by mankind?
  Answer: Sailboats, some as big as 10,000 hp are among the largest wind machines ever built. By contrast larger wind turbines today are around 7,000 hp (5 MW).
  
  
• There is a theoretical upper limit to the mechanical efficiency of wind turbines. What is your best guess for this number? (hint: it does not approach 100%)
  Answer: Interestingly there is an upper limit to mechanical efficiency of wind turbines and it is 16/27 or just over 59%. This fact is known as Betz' Law. To see a proof of the Betz' Law, visit this Site which is on the Danish Wind Energy Association web.
  
  
• Currently what percentage of U.S. electricity is generated by hydro power?
  Answer: Around 6.5% of U.S. electricity needs are provided for by hydroelectric power. To see the contribution levels of all sources visit this site which is on the U.S. Energy Information Administration web.

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