Energy Sources Flashcards

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1
Q

Explain the basic features of the typical power station that burns fossil fuels for energy?

A
  • The fossil fuel is burned to convert its stored chemical energy into heat (thermal) energy
  • The heat energy is used to heat water (or air in some stations) to produce steam
  • The steam turns a turbine, converting heat energy into kinetic energy
  • The turbine in connected to a generator, which transfers kinetic energy into electrical energy
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2
Q

Explain a nuclear power station

A
  • It is the same as a normal power station - but with fission of uranium and plutonium producing the heat to make steam to drive the turbines

The main difference is the boiler

  • Nuclear power stations take the longest time to start up - natural gas power stations take the shortest of all the fossil fuel power stations
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3
Q

Renewable energy sources: Wind turbines - explain, advantages and disadvantages?

A
  • Lots of wind turbines up in exposed places
  • Each wind turbine has its own generator insides it, the electricity is generated directly from the wind turning the blades, which turns the generator

✓ There’s no pollution (except when they’re manufactued)

No fuel costs and minimal running costs

✓ There’s no permanent damage - and IF you remove them you remove the noise and the bad view

✗ They create an eye sore

✗ They can be very noisy

✗ They are dependant on the weather - it is impossible to increase supply when theres extra demand

✗ The initial costs are quite high

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4
Q

Renewable energy sources: Solar cells (explain, advantages and disadvantages)

A

Solar cells generate eletric currents directly from sunlight

Used in remote places, and to power electric road signs and satellites

✗ They use quite a lot of energy during manufacture

✗ Initial costs are high

✗ Only avaliable in the daytime

✗ Although they can be connected to the national grid - the cost of doing this can be enormus compared withthe value of the electricity generated

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