Comparison of energy resources Flashcards
Because coal and oil are running out fast what is happening?
Many old coal and oil fired power stations are being taken out of use.
Often they are being replaced by gas fired power stations because they are quick to set up, there’s still quite a lot of gas left and gas doesn’t pollute as badly as coal and oil.
When looking at the options for a new power station there are several factors to consider, what are these?
How much it costs to set up ad run.
How long it takes to build.
How much power it can generate.
Compare set up costs?
Renewable resources often need bigger power stations than non-renewables for the same output.
Bigger the power station = more expensive.
Nuclear reactors and hydroelelectric dams need huge amounts of engineering to make the safe.
Compare reliability issues?
Non-renewable are reliable energy providers.
Renewable sources depend on weather meaning they are unreliable.
Exceptions of tidal power and geothermal.
Compare the environmental issues?
Fuel involved = waste pollution and using up resources.
Relies on weather = exposed place unattractive.
Atmospheric pollution issues.
Coal.
Oil.
Gas.
Using up resources issues.
Coal.
Oil.
Gas.
Nuclear.
Visual pollution.
Coal. Oil. Gas. Nuclear. Tidal. Waves. Wind. Hydroelectric.
Noise pollution issues.
Coal. Oil. Gas. Nuclear. Wind.
Other problems.
Nuclear - dangerous waste, explosions, contamination.
Hydroelectric - dams bursting.
Compare set up/decommissioning time?
Both affected by the size of the power station, the complexity of the engineering and the planning issues.
Gas quickest set up.
Nuclear power stations are the longest set up and cost the most to decommission.
Compare running/fuel costs?
Renewables usually have the lowest running costs because there’s no actual fuel involved.
Location issues.
Solar.
Pretty much anywhere.
Sunnier the better.
Location issues.
Gas.
Pretty much anywhere there’s piped gas.
Location issues.
Hydroelectric.
Hilly, rainy place with flood-able valleys.
eg The Lake District.
