energy Flashcards
coal
Creates Energy: Burned to produce steam that spins turbines to generate electricity.
Advantages: Cheap, reliable, abundant.
Disadvantages: Major source of CO₂ emissions, air pollution, non-renewable.
Example: China (largest producer and consumer).
Future: Sharp decline expected due to environmental concerns.
oil
Creates Energy: Burned for electricity, heating, and transport fuels.
Advantages: High energy density, easy to store and transport.
Disadvantages: Oil spills, CO₂ emissions, finite resource.
Example: Saudi Arabia (largest oil exporter).
Future: Demand decreasing with electric vehicle growth.
gas
Creates Energy: Burned to generate electricity or heating.
Advantages: Cleaner than coal and oil, efficient.
Disadvantages: Still emits greenhouse gases, fracking causes environmental damage.
Example: USA (leading producer).
Future: Short-term growth, but renewable energy will replace it.
nuclear
Creates Energy: Nuclear fission heats water to create steam, turning turbines.
Advantages: Very low emissions, massive energy output from small amounts of fuel.
Disadvantages: High costs, radioactive waste, risk of accidents.
Example: France (75% of electricity from nuclear).
Future: Growing interest but expansion is slow due to costs and fears.
biofuels
How: Burn plants or organic waste.
Advantages: Renewable, waste reuse.
Disadvantages: Uses farmland, some emissions.
Country: Brazil (sugarcane ethanol).
Future: Growing in transport sector.
solar
How: Panels convert sunlight to electricity.
Advantages: Renewable, no pollution.
Disadvantages: Expensive panels, needs sun.
Country: Australia.
Future: Rapid growth, cheaper each year.
wind
How: Wind turns turbines.
Advantages: Clean, free source.
Disadvantages: Needs windy areas, visual/noise issues.
Country: Denmark.
Future: Fast expansion globally.
HEP hydroelectric
Creates Energy: Water flows through dams to spin turbines.
Advantages: Renewable, stores energy.
Disadvantages: Floods land, eco damage.
Country: Norway.
Future: few new sites, existing dams remain
geothermal
Creates energy: Uses heat from Earth’s interior to create steam for turbines.
Advantages: Reliable, clean.
Disadvantages: Only near volcanoes.
Country: Iceland.
Future: Growing in volcanic areas.
tidal/wave
Creates Energy: Movement of tides or waves turns underwater turbines or drives generators.
Advantages: Predictable, renewable, huge potential.
Disadvantages: Very expensive, limited suitable locations, impacts marine ecosystems.
Example: United Kingdom (tidal projects developing).
Future: Still experimental, but long-term potential is high.
