Energy Sources Flashcards
What are the non-renewable energy sources?
Coal
Oil
Natural gas
Nuclear
What are the pros of renewable energy sources?
They will never run out
They cause much less damage than fossil fuels and nuclear power
What are the pros of non-renewable energy sources?
They produce a lot of energy
They already provide most of our energy
Always available
What is the basic structure of a power station?
- Fossil fuel is burned, converting its chemical energy to thermal energy
- Thermal energy heats water (sometimes air) to produce steam
- Steam turns a turbine, converting thermal energy into kinetic energy
- Turbine is connected to a generator, which transfers kinetic energy into electrical energy
How are nuclear power stations different to other power stations?
Nuclear fission of uranium or plutonium produces the heat which makes the steam
Which power stations take the longest amount of time to start up?
Nuclear power stations
What are the pros of wind turbines?
PROS:
Minimal running costs
No permanent landscape damage
No pollution
What are the pros of solar cells?
PROS:
No environmental damage
Very low running costs
Ideal for small scale production
Very reliable
How is hydroelectric power provided?
- A valley is flooded by building a dam
- Rainwater is allowed out through turbines
- The connected generator transfers kinetic energy into electrical energy
What are the pros of hydroelectric power?
PROS:
There is no pollution
It can provide an immediate response to electricity demands
It is very reliable (except for in droughts)
Minimal running costs
Good for remote areas
What is wave power?
- Wave-powered turbines are placed around the coast
2. The up and down motion of the waves drives a generator
What are the pros of wave power?
PROS:
No pollution
Minimal running costs
Very useful on small islands
How do tidal barrages work?
- Tidal barrages containing turbines are built across river estuaries
- The tide fills up the estuary to a height of several metres, driving the turbines
- The water can then be allowed through the turbines at a controlled speed
What are the pros of tidal power?
PROS:
No pollution
Reliable - two tides a day near predicted height
Good for storing energy for demand periods
Minimal running costs
How do geothermal energy stations work?
- The decay of radioactive elements deep in the earth heats rocks near the surface in volcanic areas
- Steam and hot water rise to the surface and drive a generator
What are the pros of geothermal energy?
PROS:
This energy is free
No environmental issues
Can heat buildings directly
Which fossil fuel releases the most CO2?
Coal, then oil, then gas
What harmful gases can be released from burning fossil fuels?
CO2, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming
Sulfur dioxide, causing acid rain
What are the renewable energy sources?
Wind Waves Tides Hydroelectric Solar Geothermal Food Biofuels
What is an environmental issue with coal?
Coal mining makes a mess of a landscape
What is an environmental issue with oil?
Oil spills, although they are avoided, will always happen, and cause serious problems effecting mammals and birds and their habitats
What is an environmental issue with nuclear power?
Nuclear waste is incredibly dangerous and difficult to dispose of
There is always a risk of a major catastrophe like Chernobyl in 1986
What are the cons of renewable energy sources?
They do not provide as much energy
Many of them are unreliable as they rely on weather
What are cons of non-renewable energy sources?
They will all run out one day
They cause damage to the environment
What are the cons of wind turbines?
CONS:
Spoil the view
Loud
Impossible to increase supply
Unreliable due to wind
What are the cons of solar cells?
CONS:
Expensive to manufacture
Not practical to connect to National Grid
Only reliable in the daytime
What are the cons of hydroelectrical power?
CONS:
Flooding causes vegetation to rot and release methane and CO2
Habitat can be lost
Reservoirs can look ugly when dried up
Initial costs are high
What are the cons of wave power?
CONS:
Spoil the view
Hazardous to boats
Unreliable due to wind
Initial costs are high
What are the cons of tidal power?
CONS:
Prevent free access by boats Spoil the view Alter habitats Lower tides provide significantly less energy Only work at certain times of the day
What are the cons of geothermal energy?
CONS:
Not many suitable locations for power plants
The power plants are expensive to build
