Energy Sources Flashcards
Positives of wind power
Does not produce any pollutants
Is a renewable source of energy
Minimal running cost
No fuel cost
Negatives of wind power
You need around 1500 wind turbines to replace one coal fired power station
Not reliable as it may not be windy
Very loud
Cannot increase output if there is high demand
Advantages of solar cells
They do not produce pollutants therefore are not harmful to the environment
Are sustainable
Initial costs are high but running costs are quite low
Disadvantages of solar cells
Not reliable if not sunny
Cost is high when fitting them
Must be made on a huge scale to generate the necessary amount of power
Advantages of geothermal power
Free energy
Very reliable and does not harm the environment
Disadvantages of geothermal energy
Are not many suitable locations for power plants
The cost of building a power plant is often quite high compared to the amount of energy that is generated
What is hydroelectricity
Building a dam and channelling water to turn a turbine which generates electricity .
Advantages of hydro electrical power
Does not contribute to pollution
Can provide an immediate response to an increased demand in electrical supply .
Running costs are cheap
Disadvantages of hydro electrical power
Building the dam causes the flood of a valley . This can cause vegetation to rot and release methane and CO2. The floods can destroy habitats and life .
Not reliable in times of drought
Initial costs are high
Advantages of wind power
Sustainable
Does not contribute to pollution
No fuel costs.
Minimal running costs
Disadvantages of wind power
Disturbs sea beds
Fairly unreliable when there is no wind
Can spoil the view
What are tidal barrages
Dams built across estuaries . As tides come in it fills the estuary . The water comes in to turn the turbine at a controlled speed
Tides are produced by the gravitational pull of the sun and the moon
Advantages of tidal barrages
No pollution
No fuel cost and minimal running cost
Reliable
Disadvantages of tidal barrages
Amount of energy generated depends on the height of the tide
Prevents free access by boats
Spoils the view
Alters the habitait
Advantages of biofuels
Renewable energy sources
Fairly reliable as crops take a short amount of time to be grow back
Carbon neutral
