2.2 Energy resources and the generation of electricity Flashcards
The demand for energy is increasing worldwide due to:
-Increasing population size.
-Increasing industrialisation and urbanisation.
-Improvements in standards of living and expectations.
TYPES OF ENERGY RESOURCES
~Non-renewable resources
~Renewable resources
RENEWABLE RESOURCES
renewable energy sources of energy are those than can
be replenished and therefore can be used over and
over again.
Examples of renewable resources
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- biofuels (bioethanol, biogas
and wood) - geothermal power,
- hydro-electric power,
- tidal power,
- wave power,
- solar power,
- wind power
non-renewable resources
as Non-renewable energy are used they cannot
be replaced, takes million of years to get replenished.
examples of non-renewable resources
- fossil fuels,
- nuclear power using uranium
Turbine
a machine, often containing fins, that is made to revolve by gas, steam or air (it is connected to a generator).
(rotates to generate mechanical energy)
Generator
a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
generate energy from Fossil fuels and Biofuels:
- These produce a massive amount of energy during combustion (burning) that is used to heat water and convert it into steam, which thereby turns the turbine
- the turbine drives the generator. the generator produces electricity.
Fossil fuels (oil,
coal, natural gas) ad n dis
ad-3 dis-3
Advantages
1. Plentiful supply in some locations.
2. Extraction provides jobs
3. Existing technology: the fuel is available for most countries to use
Disadvantages
1. Carbon dioxide and toxic gases when burnt (impacting on climate change)
2. Extraction causes damage to local area
3. Limited supply: prices will rise as the supplies get smaller
Biofuel ad and dis
ad-3 dis-3
advantages-
* Renewable source;
* Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions
* Plentiful supply.
disadvantage-
* Carbon dioxide and toxic gases are released when burnt;
* A lot of land is needed (Shortage of land for agriculture)
* Removal of natural ecosystems
energy generate from nuclear power
- uranium (radioactive element) releases huge amounts of energy when nuclear fission (splitting of the atom) occurs.
- This energy is used to heat the water, produce steam, and rotate the turbines.
Nuclear power
(using uranium) dis and ad
ad-3 dis-3
Adavntages
* does not produces carbon dioxide
* Small amount of fuel produces large amounts of energy
* Power plants employ lots of people
Disadvantges
* Risk of radiation leakage (impact on human
health and environment)
* Waste products cannot be recycled as radiation is active for centuries
* Limited supply
generate energy from Geothermal power:
-Cold water is pumped under pressure into a layer of hot rocks.
-The rocks heat the water.
-The steam is produced which moves the turbine. The turbine drives the generator which produces electricity.
dis and ad Geothermal power
ad-3 dis-2
advantages
* Does not produce carbon dioxide
* Unlimited supply
* nonrenewable source
disadvantage
* Can be expensive to install
* Only certain areas have suitable conditions
generate energy from Wind power:
-Wind turbines have shafts (blades) that rotate due to wind.
-As the turbine rotates, the generator produces electricity.
dis and ad Wind power
ad-2 dis-3
adavnantges
* Does not produce carbon dioxide
* Uses a renewable resource
disadavnatges
* Only efficient under certain weather conditions and location
* Visual impact
* Uses a large area
generate energy from Solar power:
-Uses photovoltaic cells that produce a small electric charge when exposed to light.
-A bank of cells organised into solar panels produces a significant amount of electricity.
dis and ad Solar power
ad-2 dis-2
advantgaes
* Does not produce carbon dioxide
* Sunlight is not a limited resource renewable
disadvantages
* Only efficient under certain weather conditions
* Visual impact and potential damage to local ecosystems
generate energy from tidal power
- Uses the natural rise and fall in the level of water in an area.
- the flow of water causes the turbine to spin; the turbine drives a generator; converts kinetic energy to electricity;
- as tide comes in AND as the tide goes out;
dis and ad of Tidal power
ad-3 dis -3
advantages
* Does not produce carbon dioxide
* Tidal movements not dependent on weather conditions
* renewable source
disadvantages
* Limited to specific coastal areas
* Impacts on the tourist industry and local fishers
* expensive to construct
generate electricity from Wave power:
- Uses the smaller differences in water levels that are caused by wind
- Also uses turbine and generator
dis and ad of Wave power
ad-2 dis -3
advantages
* Does not produce carbon dioxide
* A renewable source of power
disadvanatges
* Limited to specific areas
* Currently not very efficient, so large amounts of resources needed
* noise pollution
generate electricity from Hydro-electric power:
- water in reservoir is high up behind a dam, has gravitational potential energy;
- water flows down to turbine from dam
- moving water causes turbine to rotate;
- turbine turns generator (electricity produced);
- which converts kinetic energy to electrical energy
dis and ad Hydroelectric
power
ad- 2 dis- 2
advantage
* Does not produce carbon dioxide
* Water can be reused for other purposes
disadvantages
* impacts the natural flow of water
* Villages and ecosystems may be destroyed
why would countries choose nonrenewable energy over renewable energy?
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- Energy supply is expensive due to increasing demand and limited sources.
- Nations rely on local fuels
- Plentiful supply and easy access for utilizing specific fuel types
- Dont have the required technology to utilize the resource