Energy Flashcards
What is the main source of energy in less developed societies?
Fuelwood which can be used for heating, cooking and scaring away wild animals
As countries become more developed, how do their energy sources change?
They can afford raw materials and build power stations
Countries may be heavily dependent on fossil fuels, but what are the reasons for change that make them use more renewable and nuclear energy?
Greater concern for environment
Rising prices of fossil fuels
Knowledge that fossil fuels are finite
Improvements in renewable technology
Hope of developing and selling renewable technology
Better technology and increased stability allowing nuclear development
Coal, Oil and Gas
Chemical-Heat-Kinetic-Electrical
Advantages:
Releases a lot of energy relatively cheaply
Doesn’t rely on weather
Technology already exists so no need to spend money on new technology
Burning gas releases less greenhouse gases than oil and coal
Disadvantages:
Finite source
Release greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming
Releases sulfur dioxide which causes acid rain
Coal is bulky and heavy to transport
Oil is vulnerable to large scale changes in price
Gas is vulnerable to leaks and explosions
Nuclear
Nuclear-Heat-Kinetic-Electrical
Advantages:
Doesn’t produce greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming
Lots of uranium available
Small amount of matter can generate a large amount of energy
Disadvantages:
Nuclear reactors are expensive to build and maintain and take a long time to set up
Limited life span ad decommissioning is expensive
Remains radioactive for a long time so money has to be spent to store it
Risks of leaks and major catastrophes
Wind
Kinetic-Electrical Advantages: Renewable No polluting waste Can be used on local scale Free form of fuel Disadvantages: Eyesores Lots of turbines needed to create same amount of electricity as a coal powered station Noise pollution Expensive to install, especially offshore Hard to store surplus energy
Why is there an increasing demand for energy?
As the world population and level of development continues to grow, the demand for energy does too.
Geothermal energy
Heat-Kinetic-Electrical Advantages: Free Renewable No real environmental problems Not dependent on weather Disadvantages: High cost of drilling down several km High cost of setting up Very few places where it is available and economically sustainable
Solar cells
Light-Electrical (generate direct current) Advantages: Renewable Free energy and low running costs Good for remote locations Disadvantages: Expensive initially Sun doesn't shine all the time like in winter and the night Hard to store surplus energy
Solar panels
Black water pipes in glass box
Glass lets heat and light from the sun in which is absorbed by black pipes and heats water
Cost money to set up and are renewable and free
Small-scale
Wave power
Kinetic-Electrical Advantages: No pollution Renewable No fuel costs and minimal running costs Useful on small islands Disadvantages: Spoils view Hazard to boats Fairly unreliable as waves die out when wind drops Not suitable for landlocked countries
Tidal
Kinetic-Electrical Advantages: No pollution Renewable Reliable as tides happen twice a day No fuel costs and minimal running costs Disadvantages: Blocks shipping routes Spoils view Alters habitats of wildlife Useless for landlocked countries
Hydroelectricity
GPE-KE-Electrical Advantages: Renewable No pollution Immediate response to increased demand No fuel and low running costs Disadvantages: Flooding of valley leads to rotting vegetation which produce methane and carbon dioxide Unsightly reservoirs May force resettlement High initial costs Dams reduce deposition of alluvium downstream
Biofuels
Chemical-Kinetic-Electrical Advantages: Renewable as long as people replant crops Cheap Locally grown resources Disadvantages: Can still release greenhouse gases Deforestation Increase in food prices
Pumped Storage
Allows spare electricity to be pumped up to higher reservoir
Water can be released quickly
Same idea as HPE but isn’t a way of generating power
A way of storing energy
