Energy Sources Flashcards
what is an energy resource?
useful supply or store of energy
what are the major energy resources available to produce electricity? (9)
fossil fuels nuclear fuel biofuel wind hydroelectricity geothermal tidal water waves Sun
what does demand for energy vary with/ because of?
time of year and the time of day
why is most of the electricity generated globally still produced by fossil fuels?
- high power output fossil fuels give compared to other energy resources (like wind and water waves)
- existing infrastructure for extracting, transporting and processing fossil fuels - which makes fossil fuels cheaper than setting up new alternatives
why did the industrial revolution result in a significant increase in the amount of fossil fuels being extracted and burnt? (2)
advances in automation and transport
why did the usage of electricity increase during the 20th century?
what can it be used for?
became convenient way of distributing energy
can be used for wide range of devices and applications
explain the term ‘renewable energy resource’:
energy sources that are replenished and not exhausted (is not limited)
explain the term ‘non-renewable energy resource’:
a limited source of energy that can not be replenished
describe the energy ‘fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gases)’ in the following terms:
- energy store
- renewable or non-renewable
- uses
- power output
- impact on environment
Chemical Non-renewable Transport, heating, electricity generation High Releases CO2 (causes global warming)
describe the energy ‘nuclear fuels’ in the following terms:
- energy store
- renewable or non-renewable
- uses
- power output
- impact on environment
Nuclear Non-renewable Electricity generation Very high Radioactive waste (needs to be disposed of safely)
describe the energy ‘biofuel’ in the following terms:
- energy store
- renewable or non-renewable
- uses
- power output
- impact on environment
Chemical Renewable Transport, heating, electricity generation Medium Carbon-neutral so low impact
describe the energy ‘wind’ in the following terms:
- energy store
- renewable or non-renewable
- uses
- power output
- impact on environment
Kinetic Renewable Electricity generation Very low Take up large areas that could be used for farming, people say windmills spoil their view
describe the energy ‘hydroelectricity’ in the following terms:
- energy store
- renewable or non-renewable
- uses
- power output
- impact on environment
Gravitational potential Renewable Electricity generation Medium Local habitats are affected by the large areas that need to be flooded to build dams
describe the energy ‘geothermal’ in the following terms:
- energy store
- renewable or non-renewable
- uses
- power output
- impact on environment
Internal Renewable Electricity generation, heating Medium Very low
describe the energy ‘tides’ in the following terms:
- energy store
- renewable or non-renewable
- uses
- power output
- impact on environment
Kinetic
Renewable
Electricity generation
Potentially very high but hard to harness
Tidal barrages can block sewage which needs to go out to sea