Energy Generation and Storage Flashcards
Fossil Fuels
Coil, oil or gas that was formed from the remains of living things.
Global Warming
An increase in the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere caused by the greenhouse effect and increased levels of greenhouse gases.
Coal
Most deep coalmining has stopped and the use of open pit mining has reduced but the UK still uses coal for 23% of its energy generation so we have to import coal. There are sufficient reserves of coal to last hundreds of years.
Natural Gas
The main source of power for electricity production in the UK. It can be burnt directly and is easy to transport through pipelines.
Nuclear Power
Electricity is generated in nuclear reactors, where uranium atoms are split which releases huge amounts of heat in a process called fission. This heat is used to turn water into superheated steam which drives a turbine connected to a generator. However if anything goes wrong it can be catastrophic as it leaks nuclear radiation into the atmosphere which contaminates vast expanses of surrounding land and is highly hazardous.
Oil
Hardly used in electricity production in the UK. It is the main fuel used in road and sea transportation.
Renewable energy
Energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power. They reduce the risks of pollution.
Wind
Wind is used to generate electricity by turning large propellers connected to generators. They are either single towers or large wind farms off the coast.
Solar
Solar energy is generated by catching sunlight and converting it into power via solar panels. Position on the Earth has a huge part to play in how efficient they are as being closer to the equator would be the most efficient and on a polar cap would be the least efficient.
Tidal (marine)
Tidal energy relies on the moon to pull the tide. A tidal barrage is the most common method of using tides to generate electricity. In a high tide gates open below a wall to allow the water to fill up an area behind the wall, spinning turbines along this passage. They then close until there is a low tide when they open again to allow the water to flow back, turning the turbines again.
Hydroelectricity
The channelling of water through turbines to turn generators which produces electricity. Dams are built and once sufficient water has built up behind, it is channelled in a controlled flow.
Waves
Most commonly, the up and down motion of waves is used to push pistons or rams to compress air so it is forced through a turbine which turns and is attached to a generator.
Biomass
Growing plants so they can be burnt or using decaying plant/animal materials to product heat. Some vegetable oils can also be used to power typical diesel engines for deliveries in large trucks.
Kinetic Pumped Storage Systems
A good method of dealing with a sudden increase in electricity demand. Water is held high up and then gates are opened in a ramp-like channel where turbines are turned. At night when electricity is cheap and in low demand, the water is then pumped back up.
Mechanical Energy Storage
Clockwork is a wound up spring that allows for energy to be released slowly through gears, it is used in kid’s toys. Flywheels are weighted, spinning masses that continue to spin even after the driving force stops which generates electricity without using the same amount to spin it.
