Energy - Energy Resources Flashcards
what are the non renewable energy resources
coal oil gas nuclear fuels
what are the problems associated with renewable energy
less reliable
dont provide as much energy
name 3 uses of energy
transport, heating, electricity
how can oil heat your home
burning oil from a tank witch is good for remote places
how does natural gas heat your home
gas burned to heat water which is pumped into radiators
how do wind turbines generate electricity
wind turns the turbine which drives a generator which produces electricity
pros of wind turbines
no pollution
no permanent damage to landscape
no fuel cost
minimal running cost
cons of wind turbines
eyesore
noisy
weather dependant
cant increase supply if there is more demand
have to be stopped if wind is too strong
high initial costs
how do solar cells generate electricity
generate electric current directly from the suns radiation
pros of solar cells
no pollution
low running costs
can be plugged straight into electrical components
good for remote locations
cons of solar cells
weather dependant
lots of energy is required to manufacture in the first place.
high manufacturing costs
how does geothermal power generate electricity
thermal energy store of hot underground rocks
steam and hot water rise to the surface and are used to drive a turbine. the turbine turns a generator which generates electricity.
pros of geothermal
reliable
can heat buildings directly
cost of building power station is high con
cons of geothermal
location dependant
how do hydroelectric power stations generate electricity
a dam is built and water is let out at a controlled rate through turbines. a generator is driven by the turbines which generates elecrity
cons of hydroelectric power
flooding of ally leads to rotting vegetation which releases methane and co2. and a loss of habitat for people as settlements are flooded and animals.
reservoirs look unsightly when they dry up
high initial cost
pros of hydroelectric power
no pollution immediate response to an increased demand. normally reliable no fuel cost minimal running costs good for remote areas
how does wave power generate electricity
lots of small wave powered turbines. As the weaves come in they give an up down motion wich forces air into a turbine to drive it.
pros of wave energy
no pollution, low running and no fuel costs
cons of wave energy
disrupting sea bed and marine habitat
spoiling view
hazard to boats
unreliable
how do tidal barrages generate electricity
big dams built along river estuaries
when the tide come in the water is held back
its then released through turbines
pros of tidal barrages
no pollution
reliable
no fuel costs
minimal running cost
cons of tidal barrages
prevents free boat access spoiling view altering habitat expensive to build dont work when water is the same level each side
why are biofuels fairly reliable
short time to grow and different crops can be grown all year round
