Energy Conservation Flashcards
Efficient Use of Energy
- using more energy-efficient products or appliances to prevent energy from being wasted
- CFL uses less energy and lasts eight times longer than an incandescent light bulb
- in 2011, SG introduced the MEPS which state the minimum energy efficiency levels that a household must meet before it can be sold
- in 2010, SG launched Energy Efficient National Partnership programme, a voluntary partnership programme for companies that want to be more energy-efficient. Eg. Providing companies with energy-efficiency-related resources and awarding those with energy-saving practices
Energy Conservation
- the attempts to reduce energy consumption
- can be done through making certain choices that are more energy-saving
- in 2013, SG introduced the Energy Conservation Act to encourage companies to reduce energy consumption. Companies consuming more than 15 gigawatt-hours of energy annually are appointed an energy manager, who monitors the company’s energy usuage. Thse companies are expected to reduce their energy consumption by 10-15%
Solar Power
- energy from the sun converted into electricity through photovoltaic cells
- 1.2 million buildings in USA have solar heating systems, which use solar power to heat water
- one of the world’s largest solar power plant is in California
ADVANTAGES: The sun’s energy is available for all use and no country controls all supply. Abundant. Does not emit greenhouse gases.
DISADVANTAGES: Expensive. Energy supply varies with intermittent cloud cover. Wyas must be found to store this energy for use when there is little to no sunlight
Wind Power
- wind farms have wind turbines used to produce electricity
- Denmark and Germany generate up to 20% of their electricity through wind turbines
ADVANTAGES: Clean and renewable. Land below wind turbines can be used for other activities. Come in different sizes and can therefore be used by different groups of people
DISADVANTAGES: May cause noise pollution. May affect wildlife as they may be killed by turbines. Unsightly and might spoil natural scenery. Energy supply varies as wind does not blow all the time
Hydropower
- uses energy of fast-running water to produce electricity. A dam is built to control the flow of water and it holds back water and releases water when energy is needed
- the Three Gorges Dam in China is the world’s largest hydropower station and was completed in 2008
ADVANTAGES: Does not pollute environment. Low costs of maintaining and operating. Water contained can be used for other purposes especially during dry seasons.
DISADVANTAGES: Affects natural flow of water and ecosystem. Limited to suitable sites. Sedimentation makes dams work less well. Energy supply varies as there might be droughts. Land upstream wikl be flooded
Nuclear Energy
- large amounts of heat are produced when uranium atoms split apart in a nuclear reactor. This heat is used to generate electricity
- nuclear energy supplies 75% of the energy supply in France. It is the country’s primary source of electricity
- in Japan, nuclear power has met nearly 30% of its energy needs since the 1960s. In 2011, when an earthquake and resulting tsunami caused the meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear plant, surrounding areas were exposed to radiation, which turned many Japanese against it
ADVANTAGES: Can generate a lot more energy as compared too other alternative sources of energy. Fewer raw materials are needed and they are cheaper than fossil fuels.
DISADVANTAGES: Nuclear wastes may pose a threat to the environment as it remains radioactive for years. Costly and takes a long time to build. Non-renewable. Finite.
