Energy Resources Flashcards
Biofuels - Production
The chemical energy stored in things that were alive are burned and turned into thermal energy stores.
They are renewable, as long as all the trees get cut down.
Biofuels - Advantages
Renewable — so long as the trees that are cut down are replaced.
Doesn’t add to the greenhouse effect as it is carbon-neutral
Doesn’t require any specialised equipment and so can be easily used
Biofuels - Disadvantages
Large areas of land are required to grow enough trees or allow enough animals to graze
Biofuels - Examples
Examples of biofuels are methane gas, manure, waste vegetable oil, straw, nutshells and ethanol (from fermented sugar canes).
Nuclear Power - Production
The nucleus of the the atom is unstable and can split into two. This creates thermal energy which is then transferred to electrical.
It is not renewable.
Nuclear Power - Advantages
No greenhouse gases given off
Much more energy is transferred from each kilogram of fuel compared to fossil fuels
Nuclear Power - Disadvantages
Used fuel rods contain radioactive waste which needs to be safely disposed
Possibility of accidental release of radioactive materials
Nuclear Power - Examples
Uranium and plutonium
Fossil Fuels - Production
Fossil fuels are coal, oil and natural gas. They are formed from the remains of dead plants and animals and are found beneath the Earth’s surface. Burning fossil fuels transfers energy from chemical to heat energy.
Fossil fuels are not renewable.
Fossil Fuels - Advantages
Cheap to excavate
Easily used to transfer to different energy stores
Fossil Fuels - Examples
Coal, oil, and natural gas.
Geothermal - Production
Cold water is pumped below the ground onto the hot rocks. The steam that comes from the ground is used to make electricity.
Geothermal - Advantages
It is a renewable form of energy
No pollution as nothing gets burned
It doesn’t damage/harm the environment
Geothermal - Disadvantages
Very few places in the world where this can be done
It is expensive to drill deep underground and lay the pipe.
Geothermal - Examples
Build in volcanic areas where the rock is near the surface.
Tidal - Production
A tidal power station traps water from each high tide behind a barrage. The water can then be released into the sea through turbines during low tide.
It is renewable.
Tidal - Advantages
It is a renewable form of energy
No pollution as nothing gets burned
Reliable. There are always two tides every day.
Once it is built it is cheap to run
Tidal - Disadvantages
The dam/barrage costs a lot to build
The barrage can cause local flooding
Can affects nearby habitats of creatures and plants
Tidal - Examples
Near the sea or tidal area.
Wind - Production
The wind makes the turbine turn. This is kinetic energy is turned into electrical energy.
Wind - Advantages
It is a renewable form of energy
No pollution as nothing gets burned
Turbines are cheap and easy to build
Wind - Disadvantages
Create a whining noise when working
Some people consider them unsightly
Only works if it is windy!
Wind - Examples
Large open spaces, hills, ocean and windy areas
Solar - Production
Energy from the Sun can be used to generate electricity using solar cells or to heat water directly in solar heating panels or a a solar power tank.
It is renewable.
