Energy Generation and Storage Flashcards
Section A (19 cards)
ENERGY GENERATION
Advantages to Fossil Fuels?
Cheap and reliable source of energy with well developed systems to harness the energy
ENERGY GENERATION
Disadvantages to Fossil Fuels?
-Contains high amounts of carbon and contributes to global warming
-A non-renewable and unsustainable energy source
-Accidents such as oil spills contribute to pollution and environmental contamination
ENERGY GENERATION
What is shale gas?
A natural gas trapped in the earths crust.
ENERGY GENERATION
How is gas extracted from shale gas?
By Fracking- sends high pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals into the rock to release the gas
NUCLEAR POWER
How do Nuclear powerplants generate electricity?
By fission - splitting uranium atoms in a nuclear reactor
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Advantages to wind power.
Very cost effective to produce. It is a clean source of energy and is sustainable and renewable
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Disadvantages to wind power.
Wind energy can be unpredictable and wind farms affect the visual appearance of a landscape. Distance to connect to national grid far and expensive to connect
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Advantages to Tidal power
A constant, predictable, renewable energy source which is clean
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Disadvantages to Tidal power
Expensive set up and maintenance
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Advantages to solar panels
Renewable, clean power, no greenhouse gases. Energy can be collected on sunny or cloudy days.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Disadvantages to solar panels
Energy generation levels are lower in winter months when daylight hours are shorter, compared to production in summer months when days are longer
RENEWABLE ENERGY
How do solar panels work?
They absorb light into photovoltaic cells which is converted into electricity
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Advantages to biomass energy
Renewable
plentiful supply of material
Carbon neutral
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Disadvantages to biomass energy
Risk of deforestation
Increase in CO2 emissions
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Advantages to hydroelectric power
renewable
reliable
doesn’t pollute
can be regulated based on demand
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Disadvantages to hydroelectric power
Cost
environmental pollution of construction very high
local environment affected by flooding impacting surrounding water flow
Affects natural irrigation and ecosystems
RENEWABLE ENERGY
How do hydroelectric power dams work?
falling water spins a turbine which converts kinetic energy into mechanical energy. A generator turns this into electricity
What is the downside to Alkaline batteries?
Once the chemical reactants have been used up, the battery is flat and is no longer usable.
What are the voltages of Alkaline batteries AND Rechargeable batteries
ALKALINE - 1.5V
RECHAREGABLE - 1.2V
