Energy Resoures Flashcards
Renewable energy resources can be_______
Replenished
Non-renewable energy resources will eventually____ ____.
Run out
Non-renewable resources are_____ ____ and _____ _____
Fossil fuels(coal,oil and gas) Nuclear power
Pumped storage scheme
It’s a special hydro-electric power station. It is used when there is a demand for power.
Advantages of renewables
1) They will never run out
2) they don’t produce greenhouse gases
3) many can be used in remote areas.
Disadvantages of renewables
1) they can affect plant and animal life
2) they are often weather dependent
3) they don’t produce as much as electricity as fossil fuel power stations
Coal-fired power station
The coal is burnt to release thermal energy which is used to heat water in a boiler. This produces steam which drives a turbine. The turbine turns a generator which produces electricity.
Energy transfers of coal-fired power station
Chemical->thermal->kinetic->electrical
Gas-fired power station
In these power stations natural gas is burnt directly in a gas turbine engine. This type of power station can be switched on very quickly
Fossils fuels- advantages
1) Reliable
2) not dependent on weather
Fossil fuel-disadvantages
1) non-renewable
2) produces Carbon dioxide
3) also produces sulphur dioxide
Carbon capture
Can be used to stop Carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. The C02 is stored in old oil or gas fields.
Nuclear power
Uranium or plutonium is used as fuel in nuclear power stations. The energy is released by nuclear fission
Nuclear power advantages
No greenhouse gases, reliable, not dependent on weather. More energy is released per kg than from fossil fuels.
Nuclear power disadvantages
1) non-renewable
2) produces radio active waste
3) explosions
