1.4 Methods To Generate Electricity Flashcards
What is a renewable resource?
A natural source that is not depleted or diminished by use
What is a non-renewable source?
Source of energy the exists in finite quantities
And
Not capable of being replenished once used
Name some renewable sources of energy
Wind Solar Geothermal Biofuels Tidal Hydrological
Name some non-renewable sources of energy
Coal
Oil
Nuclear
What do all energy sources do except solar?
Use the source to turn a turbine to spin a generator to generate electricity
Advantages of wind energy
Renewable source
Doesn’t release Greenhouse gases
Brings power to remote locations
Low running cost
Disadvantages of wind energy
It is weather dependent
Installation is expensive
Visual pollution
Noise pollution
Advantages of Solar energy
Renewable energy source
Low maintenance
It’s a clean energy source (No pollution)
No noise pollution
Disadvantages of solar energy
The initial cost is high
It is weather dependent
Takes up a lot of space
Advantages of Geothermal energy
Obtained from natural substances (volcanic areas)
Non polluting
Low maintenance cost
Not weather dependent
Disadvantages of Geothermal energy
Few sites have geothermal potential energy
Danger of volcano eruption
Installation cost is high
Advantages of biofuels
Renewable
No greenhouse gases
Lower pollution
Disadvantages of biofuels
High cost of production
Could lead to a shortage of crops (obtained from plants)
Uses a lot of water to irrigate the crops
Advantages of Wave/Tidal energy
Renewable source
Doesn’t produce greenhouse gases
71% of earth is water = large area to harness power
Efficient power
Disadvantages of Wave/Tidal energy
Cost of construction is high
Few ideal locations for construction
Disrupts fish migration
Advantages of hydropower
Clean source of energy
Doesn’t pollute the air
Renewable
A lot of rain in the UK
Disadvantages of hydropower
Fish cannot migrate because of the dams
Dams are big and expensive to build
Can impact water quality
Impacted by droughts
Advantages of Crude Oil and Coal
Everything already runs on it
Reliable energy
High energy density
Constant power source
Disadvantages of Crude oil and coal
Non-renewable
Releases CO2
Contributes to pollution
Growth of terrorism/power around
Advantages of Nuclear energy
Practically renewable Doesn't release pollution into atmosphere Low transport cost Most concentrated form of energy Doesn't depend on the weather
Disadvantages of Nuclear energy
Nuclear waste is toxic
Waste is difficult to dispose
If a nuclear accident happens it can affect generations for years to come
Long start up time
How do fossil fuels, and biofuels create electricity?
They are burned to heat water
The steam produced turns a turbine to spin a generator
What substances are used in nuclear energy? Which process?
Plutonium and uranium
Nuclear fission
What is carbon capture?
New technology designed to capture carbon
Preventing Carbon dioxide building up in the atmosphere by catching and storing it
What are the best natural containers for carbon capture?
Old oil and gas fields
For example
Under the North sea
How is electricity distributed around the country?
By the National grid from power stations
Why is electricity constantly supplied?
It cannot be stored
What are used along the journey of electricity?
Transformers
What do transformers do at the step up?
They increase the voltage
Which decreases the current
Therefore the wires don’t glow and less energy is lost
What do transformers do at the step down?
Decrease the voltage
To make the voltage safe for use in a home at around 240 volts
