3.5 Big Energy Issues

Question 1

Reliability issue hydroelectric

Answer 1

Upland reservoir could run dry

Question 2

Reliability issue wind and waves

Answer 2

Wind and waves too weak on very calm days

Question 3

Reliability issue tidal

Answer 3

Height of tide varies both on a monthly and yearly cycle

Question 4

Reliability issues solar

Answer 4

No solar energy at night and variable during the day

Question 5

How is the variable demand for electricity met?

Answer 5

• by using nuclear and coal-fired power stations to provide a constant amount of electricity (base load demand)
• gas fired power stations and pumped-storage schemes to meet daily variations in demand and extra demand in winter
• renewable energy resources when demand is high and when conditions are suitable
• using renewable energy resources when demand is low to store energy in pumped storage schemes