Ch3 Energy resources Flashcards
7 renewable energy sources
wind solar hydroelectric geothermal wave nuclear tidal
How tidal power works
tidal power station traps water from each high tide behind a barrage
The high tide is then released into the sea through turbines
The turbines drive generators in the barrage
Disadvantages of tidal power
disturbs habitats
visual pollution
expensive
Advantages of tidal power
renewable, clean
will last for a long time
connected to national grid by underwater cables
Disadvantages of solar power
expensive to buy lots are needed can be unreliable convert less than 10% of energy they absorb visual pollution
Advantages of solar power
clean, renewable energy
produce no pollution
How nuclear power works
Nuclear fuel(uranium or plutonium) is unstable and undergoes fission in the core of the nuclear reactors
Energy is transferred from the nucleus’ and the core becomes hot
Energy of the core is transferred by coolant fluid that is pumped through the core to a heat exchanger
the energy transferred is used to turn water into steam in the heat exchanger
the steam drives turbine
Nuclear power disadvantages
non-renewable
risk of major catastrophe
difficult and costly to dispose of
expensive
Biofuel advantages
carbon-neutral
renewable
how wind power works
force of wind turns turbine which turns a generator
wind power advantages
renewable
produces no pollution
running cost is low
wind power disadvantages
noisy
visual pollution
expensive
unreliable
how geothermal energy works
energy transferred from radioactive substances . water gets pumped down, producing steam which turns turbines at ground level
Geothermal energy advantages
renewable
little environmental damage
buildings can be heated directly(ground source heat)
How hydroelectric power works
rainwater that is collected in a reservoir flows downhill, driving turbines at the bottom of the hill
Hydroelectric advantages
no pollution
clean, renewable
reliable
hydroelectric disadvantages
Construction of dams is expensive
Affects the wildlife by flooding the valley
nuclear power advantages
no greenhouse gases
much more energy is transferred than from fossil fuels
Fossil fuel problems
global warming
non-renewable
produces sulphur dioxide- causes acid rain
non-renewable energy
coal
oil
gas
Renewable energy advantages
never run out- replenished by natural resources
don’t produce greenhouse gases
don’t create radioactive waste products
can be used where connection to the national grid is uneconomical
Renewable energy disadvantages
can't meet world demand noise and visual pollution affect wildlife takes up large areas unreliable
