4.6 Big Energy Issues

Question 1

What is the base load demand?

Answer 1

The constant amount of energy that is provided by nuclear, coal and oil energy

Question 2

Why does the electricity demand vary in the different times of day and different times of year?

Answer 2

Day: often colder at night and darker so need to use lights
Year: colder and darker in winter

Question 3

What types of energy are used to meet the variable demand?

Answer 3

Gas fired power stations, pumped storage schemes and renewable energy sources

Question 4

What happens in hydroelectric power stations when the demand is low?

Answer 4

Energy is stored by pumping water to the top of the reservoir of the pumped storage space

Question 5

What is a start up time for a power station?

Answer 5

The time taken for the electricity to start flowing

Question 6

Which power station has the shortest start up time?

Answer 6

Gas fired power stations

Question 7

Which power station has the longest start up time?

Answer 7

Nuclear power stations

Question 8

Name the four policies for the UK energy policy

Answer 8

• reducing demand for energy from industry, business and public sector
• managing the use and disposal of radioactive and nuclear substances and waste
• helping households cut their energy bills
• increasing the use of low carbon technologies

Question 9

What is the name we give to the constant supply of electricity provided by the reliable energy sources?

Answer 9

Base load demand

Question 10

Name 2 ways the government can reduce the demand for energy from industry, business and the public

Answer 10

• provide smart metres so they know how much energy they’re using
• combined heat and power systems to provide both in an efficient and single process

Question 11

Name 3 that the government can manage the use and disposal of nuclear and radioactive substances and waste

Answer 11

• make laws and regulations that allow regular use of storage and transport of radioactive substance
• geological disposal of radioactive waste to provide safe and secure management
• use nuclear energy for base load

Question 12

Name 2 ways we can help households cut their energy bills

Answer 12

• increase cost of energy so people are persuaded to turn off their electrical appliances
• home renewable energy sources

Question 13

Name 4 ways we can increase the use of low carbon technologies

Answer 13

• pays energy users who invest in small scale, low carbon electricity generation
• pay community generators of renewable heat
• accelerate use of renewable energy resources
• invest more in nuclear energy