Energy Sources Flashcards

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1
Q

what is an energy resource?

A

useful supply or store of energy

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2
Q

what are the major energy resources available to produce electricity? (9)

A
fossil fuels
nuclear fuel
biofuel
wind
hydroelectricity
geothermal
tidal
water waves 
Sun
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3
Q

what does demand for energy vary with/ because of?

A

time of year and the time of day

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4
Q

why is most of the electricity generated globally still produced by fossil fuels?

A
  • 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
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5
Q

why did the industrial revolution result in a significant increase in the amount of fossil fuels being extracted and burnt? (2)

A

advances in automation and transport

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6
Q

why did the usage of electricity increase during the 20th century?
what can it be used for?

A

became convenient way of distributing energy

can be used for wide range of devices and applications

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7
Q

explain the term ‘renewable energy resource’:

A

energy sources that are replenished and not exhausted (is not limited)

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8
Q

explain the term ‘non-renewable energy resource’:

A

a limited source of energy that can not be replenished

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9
Q

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
A
Chemical	
Non-renewable	
Transport, heating, electricity generation	
High	
Releases CO2 (causes global warming)
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10
Q

describe the energy ‘nuclear fuels’ in the following terms:

  • energy store
  • renewable or non-renewable
  • uses
  • power output
  • impact on environment
A
Nuclear	
Non-renewable	
Electricity generation	
Very high	
Radioactive waste (needs to be disposed of safely)
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11
Q

describe the energy ‘biofuel’ in the following terms:

  • energy store
  • renewable or non-renewable
  • uses
  • power output
  • impact on environment
A
Chemical	
Renewable	
Transport, heating, electricity generation	
Medium	
Carbon-neutral so low impact
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12
Q

describe the energy ‘wind’ in the following terms:

  • energy store
  • renewable or non-renewable
  • uses
  • power output
  • impact on environment
A
Kinetic	
Renewable	
Electricity generation	
Very low	
Take up large areas that could be used for farming, people say windmills spoil their view
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13
Q

describe the energy ‘hydroelectricity’ in the following terms:

  • energy store
  • renewable or non-renewable
  • uses
  • power output
  • impact on environment
A
Gravitational potential	
Renewable	
Electricity generation	
Medium	
Local habitats are affected by the large areas that need to be flooded to build dams
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14
Q

describe the energy ‘geothermal’ in the following terms:

  • energy store
  • renewable or non-renewable
  • uses
  • power output
  • impact on environment
A
Internal	
Renewable	
Electricity generation, heating	
Medium	
Very low
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15
Q

describe the energy ‘tides’ in the following terms:

  • energy store
  • renewable or non-renewable
  • uses
  • power output
  • impact on environment
A

Kinetic
Renewable
Electricity generation
Potentially very high but hard to harness
Tidal barrages can block sewage which needs to go out to sea

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16
Q

describe the energy ‘sun’ in the following terms:

  • energy store
  • renewable or non-renewable
  • uses
  • power output
  • impact on environment
A
Nuclear	
Renewable	
Electricity generation	
Potentially very high, but hard to harness	
Very little
17
Q

describe the energy ‘water waves’ in the following terms:

  • energy store
  • renewable or non-renewable
  • uses
  • power output
  • impact on environment
A
Kinetic
Renewable	
Electricity generation	
Low	Very 
low
18
Q

why are power stations that use fossil/nuclear fuels reliable sources of energy?

A

operate almost continuously

19
Q

why are gas power stations used when additional energy is needed?

A

because they will come on very quickly and start generating electricity almost immediately.

20
Q

discuss the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power stations:

A

-relatively cheap,

power stations themselves are expensive to build. very expensive to dismantle, or decommission, old nuclear power stations at the end of their useful life.

21
Q

why is it difficult to dismantle or decommission old nuclear power stations at the end of their useful life?

A

The highly radioactive waste needs to be stored for millions of years before the natural activity will reduce to a safe level

22
Q

why is water power reliable?

A

predictable because of the Moon causing the tides and rainfall filling reservoirs

23
Q

why are many renewable sources of energy unreliable?

A

cannot respond to increased demand - sunny and windy weather cannot be guaranteed.

24
Q

advantage and disadvantage of renewable resources: (2)

A

have no fuel costs

equipment used is expensive to build.