Energy resources - Topic 2 Flashcards

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1
Q

Definition of renewable?

A

Produces at the same rate that is it used. (Doesn’t run out)

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2
Q

Definition of non-renewable?

A

Used up at a faster rate that they are produced- has a finite supply

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3
Q

Non-renewable energy resources will ___ ___ one day.

A

run out

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4
Q

Renewable energy resources will ___ ___ ___.

A

Not run out

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5
Q

What are the three main fossil fuels?

A

Coal, oil , (natural) gas

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6
Q

Name 7 renewable energy sources.

A

Solar, Wind, Tidal, geothermal, bio-fuel, hydroelectricity, wave

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7
Q

What is a non-renewable energy resource that isn’t a fossil fuel?

A

Nuclear energy

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8
Q

Are fossil fuels reliable?

A

Yes

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9
Q

How does wind power provide electricity?

A
  • Wind turns the blades of a wind turbine, which turns an internal generator
  • The kinetic energy is transferred into electrostatic energy/ electricity
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10
Q

Cons of wind power

A
  • spoil the view: need 1500 wind turbines to replace one coal- fired power
  • very noisy: annoying for people living nearby
  • unreliable: if wind stops to if wind is too strong, its impossible to increase supply when there’s extra demand
  • initial cost are high: but no fuel or running costs
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11
Q

Pros of wind power?

A
  • no fuel costs and minimal running costs
  • no pollution
  • no permanent damage: if removed, noise is also gone and view is back to normal
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12
Q

How does solar power provide electricity?

A

Sunlight hits solar cells which transfer it directly into electrostatic energy in electric currents.

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13
Q

Cons of solar power?

A
  • initial costs are very high
  • takes up a lot of space
  • needs to have sunlight to doesn’t work
  • can’t increase power output when there’s extra demand
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14
Q

Pros of solar power?

A
  • running costs are almost at nil
  • no pollution
  • best source to charge batteries which dont need much energy : calculators, watches
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15
Q

How does geothermal energy provide electricity?

A

Hot, nuclear rocks near to the surface in volcanic areas are used to heat water. The water becomes steam, which rises and turns a turbine. This turns a generator, which provides electricity.

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16
Q

Cons of geothermal energy>

A
  • aren’t many suitable locations
  • cost of building a power plant is often high compared to the amount of energy it produces
17
Q

Where does geothermal work best?

A

volcanic areas

18
Q

Pros of geothermal energy

A
  • brilliant free energy that is reliable
  • little damage to environment
19
Q

Where does solar work best?

A

remote sunny places and small devices

20
Q

Where does wind work best?

A

exposed places like moors or on the coast

21
Q

How does hydroelectricity provide electricity?

A

water is steadily released from a man-made dam in a high-up area. It flows downhill and turns a turbine, which turns a generator, which generates electricity.

22
Q

Pros of hydroelectric power

A
  • no pollution
  • can provide immediate response to an increased demand for electricity
  • no fuel cost + minimal running costs
23
Q

Cons for hydroelectric power

A
  • big impact on the environment: flooding of the valley (rotting vegetation releases methane and CO2)
    Loss of habitat
  • unreliable if drought occurs
  • initial cost are high
  • look ugly once dried up
24
Q

Where does hydroelectric power work best?

A

in valleys or high-up areas

25
Q

How does wave power generate electricity?

A

small turbines floating in the ocean are spun by the waves. This spins internal generators and generates electricity. Electricity is transported by wires on the seabed.

26
Q

Cons of wave power

A
  • disturbance to the seabed and habitats of marine animals
  • hazardous to boats
  • ruins the view
  • fairly unreliable: waves tend to die out when wind drops
  • never like to produce energy on a large scale
  • initial costs are high
27
Q

pros of wave power

A
  • very useful on small islands
  • no pollution
  • No fuel costs + minimal running cost
28
Q

Where does wave power work best?

A

around the coast, in the sea

29
Q

How does tidal barrages generate electricity?

A
  • barrages are built across estuaries.
  • The tide fills the estuary and water is let out into the sea through a turbine at a controlled speed.
  • The turbine spins and turns a generator which generates electricity.
30
Q

Cons of tidal power

A
  • prevents free access by boats
  • spoils the view
  • alters habitats of the wildlife: wading birds, seas creatures, migrating animals
  • drawback: the height of the tide is variable so lower (neap) tides will provide much lesson energy than the big ‘spring’ tides
  • don’t work when water level is same on either side- happens 4 times a day
31
Q

Pros for tidal power

A
  • no pollution
  • pretty reliable: happen twice a day without fail, and always near to predicted height
  • no fuel cost + minimal running costs
32
Q

Where does tidal power work best?

A

River estuaries

33
Q

How does biomass generate electricity?

A

biofuels (can be solid, liquid, gas )are burned to heat water, which becomes steam and rises to turn a turbine. The turbine turns a generator which generates electricity.

34
Q

Cons of biomass power

A
  • growing crops specially for bio-fuels mean that there isn’t enough space or water to meet demands
  • some regions, large areas of forest have been cleared to make room to grow bi-fuels, resulting in lots of species losing their natural habitats.
    -cost to refine bio-fuels is very high
  • can’t respond to immediate energy demands
35
Q

Pros of biomass power

A

-carbon neutral (only keep planting trees at same rate)
- fairly reliable: crops take relatively short amount of time to grow and different crops can be grown all year round

36
Q

Where does biomass energy work the best?

A

anywhere with large spaces, sometimes forests or plantations

37
Q

What can take years to do with a nuclear power plant?

A

decommission

38
Q

What do fossil fuels release?

A

CO2: greenhouse gas, traps heat in our atmosphere, causing global warming.
Sulfur dioxide: causes acids rain, harmful to trees and soils and can have far-reaching effects in ecosystems.