15markers Flashcards
2.1 Spec paper;
Question;
Discuss the factors which must be taken into consideration when planning and siting a commercial wind farm venture.
Your response should include reference to; • Environmental,
• Social factors and
• Energy output issues. {15} The quality of written communication is assessed in this question.
ISSUES AFFECTING POWEROUT;
• Wind speed – faster more powerful winds generate more energy – link to wind survival speed.
• Relationship between rotor swept area and output – i.e. blade diameter.
• Air density (temperature and altitude)
• Orientation of the wind – linked to yawing.
• Turbine design – hub height, blade length, blade materials, number of blades, mass of turbine.
• Wind / temperature profile.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES;
• Existing infrastructure e.g. roads access for assembling turbines and maintenance work.
• Environmental impact assessments, e.g. habitat (specifically bog land), plant and wildlife, (specifically birds and bats).
• Social impact, noise, aesthetics, shadow flicker.
2014 Paper;
Question;
In 2013, Northern Irelands Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) announced that there is ‘an exciting opportunity for NI to take a leadership role in the expansion of smart grid solutions’.
Discuss the main factors that must be considered when assessing the future opportunity of smart grid.
Your response should include reference to;
• The concept of a smart grid;
• Problems associated with delivering energy from renewable sources to the grid;
• The need to develop energy storage facilities capable of storing energy from renewable energy sources;
• The use of interconnectors between European countries in a smart grid scenario;
• Potential benefits of smart grid to the NI economy;
The concept of smart grid;
An electrical grid is a network which facilitates the distribution of energy from one place to another as required by the users of the grid.
A SMART grid relies on a computerized control system to divert energy from one renewable source to another as demand for energy varies on the grid.
Problems associated with delivering energy from renewable sources to the grid;
Energy generated from renewable sources is intermittent. For example, the wind may be blowing at high speeds during the night but there is little demand for energy at this time.
The intermittent nature makes control of the system more difficult.
The need to develop energy storage facilities capable of storing energy from renewable energy sources;
The use of storage technology in a smart grid system allows for more control over the total available energy resource in the system.
When energy is generated, for example by a wind farm, but there is little demand, then it can be stored.
Energy storage technology poses the greatest challenge for smart grid. This technology is in its infancy with huge investments being made presently in research and development into energy storage.
Examples of energy storage include pumped storage (most widely used at present), compressed air storage, battery systems etc
The use of interconnectors between European countries in a smart grid scenario;
• The use of interconnectors between Ireland, UK and Europe offers more opportunity to control the distribution of electrical energy. Dealing with
a larger available pool of energy from a greater variety of renewable resources.
• Each country in the EURO grid has its unique renewable energy resources. For example, Ireland (North and South) has the best location for wind in Europe, Austria has extensive forests and is therefore better suited for bioenergy; Norway has extensive capacity for hydro energy; Spain and Portugal have excellent capacity for solar energy; Finland has excellent maritime capacity etc.
• This variety of renewable resources allows for a more efficient system on a European basis.
Potential economic benefits to Northern Ireland with the use of smart grid.
• Ireland (North and South) currently imports 92% of their energy and are subject to price and currency fluctuations.
Smart grid will facilitate energy security.(Have energy when we need it)
Use of renewable resources will reduce environmental implications of energy generation. (Counteracting economic implications of greenhouse gases).
Environmental Technology – AS Past Papers Overview 2017;
• Examples of energy storage include pumped storage (most widely used at present), compressed air storage, battery systems etc
The use of interconnectors between European countries in a smart grid scenario;
• The use of interconnectors between Ireland, UK and Europe offers more opportunity to control the distribution of electrical energy. Dealing with
a larger available pool of energy from a greater variety of renewable resources.
• Each country in the EURO grid has its unique renewable energy resources. For example, Ireland (North and South) has the best location for wind in Europe, Austria has extensive forests and is therefore better suited for bioenergy; Norway has extensive capacity for hydro energy; Spain and Portugal have excellent capacity for solar energy; Finland has excellent maritime capacity etc.
• This variety of renewable resources allows for a more efficient system on a European basis.
Potential economic benefits to Northern Ireland with the use of smart grid.
• Ireland (North and South) currently imports 92% of their energy and are subject to price and currency fluctuations.
Allow for more competitively priced energy.
Fossil fuels have played an important part in the development of modern society. Many people believe that this has been at a high cost to society and environment.
Discuss cost of society reliance on fossil fuels
response should be made reference to;
.The trends in fossil fuel use globally:
.The concept of fuel security:
• The environmental impact of fossil fuel use:
The trends in fossil fuel use globally:
• Recognise the increasing trends (demands) for fossil fuel (coal, oil, gas)
use in industrialised western countries both for energy provision and as
a raw material in for example, the manufacture of plastics.
• Discussion of links to the industrial economy, in key emerging
economies (for example Brazil, Russia, India and China) in relation
to demand for fossil fuels from industry for energy provision and
manufacture of plastics.
• Discussion of the impact of increasing global population resulting in
increasing demands for fuel for heat, electricity, transport etc.
• In emerging economies, the population has greater lifestyle
expectations resulting in greater demands for energy and products
which use fossil fuels in their manufacture and production.
• The concept of fuel security:
• Explanation of fuel security and its impact on a country’s economy. For
example, Northern Ireland currently imports 92% of its energy. Leaving
the region ‘insecure’ in terms of continuity of energy supply/ price
variations and currency fluctuations.
• Discussion of fuel security and geopolitics. For example, gas supply
cut-off in Russia etc.
• The environmental impact of fossil fuel use:
• Global warming
• Habitat degradation
• Impact on biodiversity
• Air quality reduction
• Land and water contamination
• Reduction in world’s natural resources.
In its Statutory Consultation for the Renewables Obligation Order
(Northern Ireland) 2014, the Department of Trade and Industry (DETI)
stated that ‘DETI is committed to increasing the deployment of renewable
energy across Northern Ireland and we recognise the potential role and
contribution that solar PV could make in helping to meet the target of 40%
renewable electricity consumption by 2020.’
Discuss the main factors that should be taken into account when
assessing the feasibility of generating electricity from solar PV for a typical
Northern Ireland householder.
Your answer should make reference to:
the amount of solar energy available for energy purposes
how planning regulations impact on domestic solar PV panel
installations
the range of incentives available for installing solar PV panels.
The quality of written communication will be assessed in this
question.
Indicative Content
The amount of solar energy available for energy purposes.
• Large variation between summer and winter.
• Weather/cloud cover limiting the available energy.
• Orientation: Solar PV works best within 15 degrees of due south.
• Roof type: Solar PV works best on roof slopes of 35 degrees approximately.
• Overshadowing: by trees/other buildings.
How Planning regulations impact on domestic solar PV panel installations
• Planning permission required where panels sit higher than highest part of
the roof.
• Planning permission required where panels sit higher than the plane of the
roof.
• Planning permission required in conservation areas where panels are visible
from the road.
The incentives available to householders for installing solar PV panels
• Reducing your energy costs.
• Receiving the Feed-in-tariff (FIT) for generating your own electricity.
• Renting your roof out to solar PV installers who get the FIT but the
householder gets free electricity.
2017
Present the case for global action on fossil fuel conservation and the need
for a move towards renewable energy sources.
Ensure that you make reference to the following points in your discussion:
The role of fossil fuels in modern society;
Fossil fuel lifespan, location of reserves and accessibility;
National and international environmental targets aimed at reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.
The major fossil fuels are coal, oil and gas;
• Fossil fuels are a source of fuel for transport/electricity generation;
• Fossil fuels also provide raw materials for plastic/pharmaceutical/fibre
production;
• Fossil fuels are a valuable raw material which future generations will require;
• Combustion of fossil fuels leads to environmental damage.
Fossil fuel lifespan, location of reserves and accessibility:
• Fossil fuel reserves are estimated to last between 50 and 200 years;
• Coal reserves are the largest and most widespread but combustion of coal
causes significant environmental damage, e.g. smog;
• Fossil fuel reserves can be located in areas of the world which are politically
unstable/hostile, e.g. large methane deposits in Russia/large oil deposits in
the Middle East and North Africa;
• Fewer new oil and gas fields are being discovered. Those that are known are
smaller and more expensive to develop so it may not be economically viable;
• There are environmental and social issues surrounding extraction of fossil
fuels, e.g. drilling for oil in the Arctic has been suspended following
campaigning against it.
National and international environmental targets aimed at reducing
greenhouse gas emissions:
• Combustion of fossil fuels leads to environmental damage, e.g. climate
change caused by the release of carbon dioxide;
• The EU target for 2020 is a 20% cut in emissions of greenhouse gases to
combat climate change;
• This will be achieved by a 20% increase in the amount of energy produced
using renewable sources and a 20% cut in energy consumption by
increasing energy efficiency of homes, appliances and vehicles;
• Renewable sources of energy produce lower level of carbon dioxide
emissions which can help maintain current greenhouse gas levels;
• Renewable sources of energy will contribute to conservation of fossil fuels
as the rate of use will slow down.
All relevant, valid responses will be given credit.
2018
Discuss how commercial wind farm companies seek to optimise the
location for their turbines.
Your answer should focus on each of the following:
Energy output;
Costs;
Environmental and social issues.
Issues affecting energy output:
• Available wind resource – faster, more powerful winds generate more
energy – link to wind survival speed;
• Orientation of site – to take advantage of prevailing winds;
• Topography/clear terrain with no obstacles to wind;
• Relationship between rotor swept area (i.e. blade length);
• Turbine: hub height; blade length, materials, efficiency.
Cost Issues:
• Installation costs – more expensive out at sea and in mountains;
• Costs of connection to power transmission networks;
• Servicing/maintenance costs;
• Accessibility – cost of making/upgrading access roads;
• Refurbishing turbines at end of working life.
Environmental and social Issues:
• Potential for noise pollution;
• Aesthetic/visual issues;
• Potential impact on local communication networks;
• Environmental impact assessment of windfarm and access roadways and
infrastructure on habitat (bogland, hillsides, seabeds) and wildlife
(birds, bats, marine life);
• Likelihood of objections.
All relevant, valid responses will be given credit.
