Emerging Technology

Question 1

Why is the development and implementation of Ocean Energy critical in NI?

Answer 1

NI is currently too reliant on importing fossil fuels, currently 92%.

Question 2

Make reference to the strengths of OE throughout Ireland. (4)

Answer 2

NI - Strength is Tidal. Locations include NE coast, Strangford Lough, and Copeland Islands

Question 3

State the potential OE that can be tapped into by NI. (2)

Answer 3

650MW

Question 4

Make reference to 2 test sites for OE throughout Ireland that are used to develop this technology. (2)

Answer 4

Sea-Gen in Strangford Lough

1/4 scale in Galway Bay

Question 5

What is the target MW to be generated by OE for 2020? (1)

Answer 5

300MW

Question 6

State the minimum tidal range required to make a tidal barrage system economically viable. (1)

Answer 6

5m

Question 7

State the minimum velocity of the water required for tidal stream generators. (1)

Answer 7

2.5 m/s

Question 8

Outline the operational procedures of a Wave Attenuator Device. (5)

Answer 8

• These devices are oriented parallel to the direction of the wave [1].
• Attenuators are a series of long cylindrical floating devices connected to each other with hinges and anchored to the seabed[1].
• The cylindrical parts drive hydraulic rams in the connecting sections [1]
• and those in turn drive an electric generator [1].
• The devices send the electricity through cables to the sea floor where it then travels through a cable to shore [1].

Question 9

Explain what is meant by Carbon Capture and Storage from fossil fuel power plants. (2)

Answer 9

Designed to prevent C02 produced when burning fossil fuels from entering the atmosphere.

The gasses are captured and stored rather than being released into the atmosphere.

Question 10

Outline the three main phases of CCS and the process associated with each. (6)

Answer 10

1. Trapping and separating.
   Takes the gas emmited from the process and separates C02 from the other gases which are present.

2.Transport.
Moving the C02 to a location for its storage, normally through a system of pipes.

3.Storage.
The long term location for the captured gas. Usually occurs underground or underwater.

Question 11

Discuss one advantage of Geo-Engineering. (1)

Answer 11

Some technologies such as cool roof tech is inexpensive and effective.

Question 12

Discuss one disadvantage of Geo-Engineering. (1)

Answer 12

Little is known about the long term side effects.

Question 13

Describe 3 environmental implications that must be considered when deciding to install wave energy converters at a particular site. (3)

Answer 13

Impact on marine life and habit.

Risk of toxic pollution.

Conflict with other sea users.

Question 14

Compare and contrast Tidal Stream Generators and Tidal Barrages. (5)

Answer 14

Tidal Stream Generators make use of the K.E. of moving water to power turbines.

Tidal Barrages make use of the P.E. in the difference in water between high and low tides.

With the receding tide, this P.E. is then converted into K.E. as the water is released through large turbines that create electrical power by generators.

TSG are much cheaper to build, and don’t have as big of an environmental impact as TB

Question 15

Identify two main constraints on developing wave and tidal tech in N.I. (2)

Answer 15

Limited availability of sites.

Lack of government support.

Question 16

Explain how a tidal barrage generates energy from the tides. (5)

Answer 16

A barrage is built across an estuary with gates and turbines built into the
wall of the dam [1];

As the tide flows in the gates are open and the turbines
are operated producing electricity [1];

At high tide the gates are closed
trapping the water inside [1];

When water level outside has fallen sufficiently
(e.g. 5 m) the gates are opened [1];

The released water turns the turbines
again producing electricity. [1]

Question 17

Outline two advantages that a tidal stream generator has over tidal barrage systems. (2)

Answer 17

Cheaper to construct.

Smaller so they’ve less of an environmental impact.

Question 18

Give an example of a ‘Geo-Engineering’ technique and explain how it could be applied.

Answer 18

Cloud seeding [1]
where clouds are injected with crystals to produce
‘rain on demand’. [1]

Question 19

Describe the operation of BPV devices. (2)

Answer 19

BPV devices generate electricity from light [1] by

exploiting photosynthesis of living organisms such as moss and algae [1]

Question 20

Define what is meant by a ‘smart material’.(2)

Answer 20

A material with the ability to alter its basic physical properties or
change its shape [1]

when an external influence such as temperature, light
level, pressure or electricity changes. [1]

Question 21

Outline two environmental impacts which can occur when wave or tidal energy devices are installed at a particular marine location. (2)

Answer 21

Noise pollution

Conflict with other sea users.

Question 22

Describe the processes of how a Wave Attenuator works. (5)

Answer 22

1. Attenuators are oriented parallel to the direction of travel of the waves.
2. They typically consist of a series of long cylindrical floating devices connected with hinges and anchored to the seabed (e.g. Pelamis).
3. The relative movement of the cylindrical parts drives rams in the connecting sections.
4. The rams in turn drive an electrical generator.
5. The attenuators send electricity to shore via cables laid on the seabed.

Question 23

Describe the three phases of the carbon

capture and storage process. (6)

Answer 23

1: Trapping and separating [1]; entails taking the gas emitted from the process and separating the CO2 from the other gases present [1];
2: Transporting [1] involves moving the isolated CO2 to a storage location normally through a system of pipes [1];
3: Storage [1] refers to long term storage of the gas in an underground (or under seabed) location [1].

Question 24

Compare Tidal Stream Generators and Tidal Barrages in terms of power generation. (2)

Answer 24

tidal stream generators are basically underwater turbines whereas tidal barrages are like a small hydro-electric dam;

the tidal barrage tends to generate more power than the tidal stream generator [2]

Question 25

Compare Tidal Stream Generators and Tidal Barrages in terms of Cost. (2)

Answer 25

Tidal stream generators cost significantly less as they are just individual turbines placed on the seabed whereas tidal barrages are large constructions built across estuaries [2]

Question 26

Compare Tidal Stream Generators and Tidal Barrages in terms of Environmental Impact. (2)

Answer 26

Tidal stream generators turn slowly and have less impact on the environment and marine life whereas tidal barrages can have extensive impact on marine life and estuarine habitats [2]