energy production and use Flashcards
What is a benefit of using renewable energy?
Reduces air pollution
Renewable energy sources often produce little to no emissions during operation.
What is one advantage of wind energy?
Free and renewable
Wind energy is generated from natural wind flows and does not deplete resources.
What is a disadvantage of wind energy?
Energy produced won’t be consistent
Wind strength can vary, affecting the amount of energy generated.
What do air source heat pumps do?
Absorb heat from outside air
They are used to heat homes and produce hot water.
What is the process by which nuclear energy is generated?
Splitting of uranium atoms through fission
This generates heat to produce steam for electricity generation.
What is a pro of nuclear energy?
No pollutant gases
Nuclear energy does not emit greenhouse gases during operation.
What is a con of nuclear energy?
Waste is radioactive
Radioactive waste requires specialized and costly disposal methods.
What is hydroelectric power generated from?
Flowing water
Turbines convert the energy of moving water into electricity.
What is a pro of ground source heat pumps (GSHP)?
Renewable energy source
GSHPs utilize the earth’s stable temperature for heating and cooling.
What is a con of GSHP?
Expensive to install
Initial installation costs can be high, despite long-term savings.
What does CHP stand for?
Combined heat and power
CHP systems generate heat and electricity simultaneously from the same energy source.
What material are photovoltaic cells made from?
Silicon
Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity.
What is a pro of solar PV systems?
Little maintenance required
Once installed, solar PV systems generally require minimal upkeep.
What is a con of solar PV systems?
Panels degrade over time
Efficiency may decrease as the panels age.
What do fossil fuels produce when burned?
CO2
Burning fossil fuels contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
What is a pro of fossil fuels?
Cheap source of energy
Fossil fuels are often less expensive to extract and use compared to renewable sources.
What is a con of hydrogen as a fuel?
Produces carbon dioxide as a by-product
Hydrogen production can result in greenhouse gas emissions unless carbon capture is employed.
What is electrolysis?
A carbon-free hydrogen production process
Electrolysis uses electricity to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen.
What is biomass?
Plant or animal material used in fuel
Biomass can be converted into energy or used to produce hydrogen.
What does ‘high carbon’ refer to in energy production?
Electricity produced by fossil fuels
High carbon sources have significant greenhouse gas emissions.
What is a zero carbon energy source?
Produces no carbon emissions
These sources help reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
What is a gravity rainwater system?
Water is pumped from a main holding tank
Gravity systems supply water from a tank to appliances using gravity.
What is a disadvantage of rainwater collection systems?
High cost with retrofitting
Existing properties may incur significant expenses to install these systems.
