Energy reasources Flashcards
What is a non-renewable energy source?
will eventually run out, is not replaced at the same rate it is being used
What is a renewable energy source?
will not run out, it is being (or can be) replaced at the same rate it is being used
What are the main renewable and non-renewable resources available now on earth?
renewable: solar, tidal, wave, wind, geothermal, biofuel, hydroelectric
non-renewable: coal, oil, gas, nuclear
What are the main advantages of using coal as an energy resource?
enough available to meet current demand, reliable, can control supply to match demand, cheap to extract and use
What are the main disadvantages of using coal as an energy source?
will eventually run out, releases CO2 which contributes to climate change, releases sulfur dioxide which causes acid rain
What are the main advantages of using nuclear as an energy source?
lots of energy released from a small mass, reliable, can control supply to match demand, enough fuel available to meet current demand, no polluting gases
What are the main disadvantages of using nuclear fuel as an energy source?
waste is dangerous and difficult and expensive to deal with, expensive initial set up, expensive to shut down and run
What are the main advantages of using solar energy?
can be used in remote places, no polluting gases, no waste products, low running cost
What are the main disadvantages of using solar energy?
unreliable, cannot control supply, initial set up expensive , cannot be used on a large scale
What are the main advantages of using tidal power?
no polluting gases, no waste products, reliable, can produce large amounts of electricity, low running costs, no fuel costs
What are the main disadvantages of using tidal power?
can harm marine habitats, initial set up expensive, cannot increase supply when needed, amount of energy varies on time of month, hazard for boats
What are the main advantage of using wave turbines?
no polluting gases produced, no waste products, low running cost, no fuel costs
What are the main disadvantages of using wave turbines?
unreliable, dependent on weather, cannot control supply, initial set up expensive, can harm marine habitats, hazard for boats, cannot be used on a large scale
What are the main disadvantages of using wind turbines?
unreliable, dependent on weather, cannot control supply, takes up a lot of space, can produce noise pollution
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of using geothermal energy?
advantages: no polluting gases, low running cost
disadvantages: initial set up expensive, available in few locations