Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. generate (v.) [jen-uh-reyt] – to produce or to create
something
Example: The new company
project will generate more income.
2. utilize (v.) [yoot-l-ahyz] – to put into use for a
specific purpose
Example: We must utilize the
talents we have to help other people.
3. photovoltaic (adj.) [foh-toh-vol-tey-ik] – refers to the ability to
produce electricity from light
Example: Many countries use
photovoltaic solar cells to convert energy from the sun to electricity.
4. transmission (n.) [trans-mish-uhn, tranz-] – the act of transferring
something
Example: The damaged wires
prevented the transmission of
electricity throughout the whole town.
5. clean
energy (n.) [kleen] [en-er-jee] – energy that
does not cause pollution
Example: Clean energy reduces global warming.
Article
Read the text below.
Read the text below.
Engineers in
Europe plan to utilize the huge desert areas of North Africa,
the Middle East and Southern Europe as a source of energy.
Under the
project called DESERTEC, engineers will build solar thermal collectors in the
desert to store the sun’s energy and use it to generate steam from heating water. The steam
created will then be utilized to operate turbines that produce electricity.
According to
Franz Trieb, a German engineer, the vast desert area provides abundant sources
of reusable energy, making it strategic to build the thermal collectors there.
Aside from thermal collectors, engineers will also use wind turbines built in
coastal areas and photovoltaic
devices distributed throughout Europe as additional source of energy.
The cost of
the plan, however, remains an issue. In order to deliver large amounts of
stored energy from the desert to cities in Europe, numerous transmission lines must be built. In addition, some
problems may arise if these lines are built in politically unstable locations.
Despite the
disadvantages, engineers of DESERTEC aim to continue the project because of the
growing need for clean energy.
Currently, solar thermal plants capable of producing up to 500 megawatts are already
being constructed in Ouarzazate, Morocco.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
What
are the possible effects of using natural resources to produce electricity?
·
Aside
from deserts, what other natural resources can be used as a good source of
reusable energy?
Discussion B
·
Can
you imagine living without electricity? Explain your answer.
·
What
are the advantages and disadvantages of having electricity?
