1.3 NATIONAL + GLOBAL E RESOURCES Flashcards
What is a renewable energy resource?
An energy source which can be
replenished as it is being used up.
Give four examples of renewable energy
resources.
- Wind Energy
- Hydro-Electricity
- Tidal Energy
- Solar Energy
Give an example of a non-renewable
energy resource.
Fossil fuels (for example coal, oil and gas).
What are the advantages of generating
power using gas rather than coal?
● Flexible Generation: Gas power
stations have short start-up times so
can be switched on/off more readily
● Lower emissions of carbon dioxide
State two disadvantages of using
renewable energy resources to generate
power.
● Output often determined by external factors (like wind speed), so supply is uncertain
● Generating power through other means is
often more efficient and economically
beneficial
Explain the environmental impacts of
burning fossil fuels.
● Carbon Dioxide contributes to the greenhouse effect, and causes global warming ● Sulphur Dioxide leads to acid rain, which can damage buildings and crops
State three advantages of fossil fuels as
an energy resource.
- Reliable: Not dependent on external factors so can generate power anytime
- Can produce large amounts of energy for a given quantity
- Still relatively abundant, so cost-effective
State three advantages of nuclear
power.
- Very large amounts of energy for relatively
small quantities of fuel - Doesn’t release greenhouse gases and so doesn’t contribute to climate change
- Low fuel costs
State three disadvantages of nuclear
power.
- Produces nuclear waste which is harmful to humans & must be safely stored for centuries.
- Non-Renewable energy source
- Risk of nuclear accidents, which have fatal consequences on humans and the
environment
How does hydroelectric power produce
energy?
● Rainwater collects behind a dam ● When this water is released, it is used to turn a turbine ● This turbine turns a generator which produces electricity
What are some disadvantages of using
biofuels?
● When plants are burned or decay they release CO2
● In order to grow biofuels, you need to destroy land
which leads to problems because:
○ The land could have been natural habitats
○ Destroying land may involve burning plants growing
on it, which would release CO2
● Growing biofuels reduces the land available for growing
food
What are the advantages of tidal energy
sources?
● They do not produce greenhouse gases ● They are quite reliable, as tides happen twice a day ● They are cheap to run as tides are natural, and so are free
What are the disadvantages of
hydroelectric power?
● The dam may cause flooding
● It can cost a lot to install the required
infrastructure
What are some advantages of solar
panels?
● They don’t cause harm to the environment ● They are a renewable resource ● They can be used in remote areas where other types of energy are less accessible
Give examples of social factors which
may act as a deterrent for certain types
of energy production.
● Visual Pollution
● Sound Pollution
