generating and distributing electricity Flashcards
what is kinetic energy?
energy stored in the movement of an object
what is gravitational potential energy?
energy stored because of an objects position above the ground
what is elastic potential energy?
energy stored because of a change of shape of an object
what is chemical energy?
energy in a chemical compound
what is heat energy?
energy given off my hot or warm object
what is light energy?
energy that can be seen
what is sound energy?
energy of vibrating solids, liquids and gases
what is electrical energy?
energy carried by a flow of electricity
what is nuclear energy?
energy stored in the structure of an atom, released in nuclear reactions
what is the rule about energy?
energy cannot be made or destroyed it can only be transferred into other types of energy
what is electrical energy easily transferred into?
heat, light, sound and kinetic energy
in a Sankey diagram what does the input energy equal to?
the output energy
what is the term for a lot of wasted energy?
inefficiency
what are non-renewable energy sources?
ones that cannot be replaced and so will run out
what examples of non-renewable energy sources are there?
coal, oil, gas and nuclear
how was coal formed?
dead trees falling which were eventually buried under layer after layer of earth and rock
how was oil formed?
plankton and dead sea creatures falling to the sea bed and becoming buried
how was gas formed?
a by-product of formation of coal
how was nuclear formed?
found under earths surface which emit radiation and are dangerous if not handled correctly
what is the primary energy source for all living things?
the sun
what is a renewable energy source?
one that is easily replaced and will not run out. They are sustainable
how is energy created by wind?
turbines situated onshore on hills or offshore
how is energy created by photovoltaic cells?
solar panels
how is energy created by biomass?
burned wood or organic waste
how is energy created by wave?
‘nodding ducks’ used to change the movement of waves into spinning movements
how is energy created by tidal?
tide comes in and water is trapped behind is barrage and when tide goes out it is released
how is energy created by hydroelectric power?
water is stored in an upper reservoir and flows down to lower reservoirs through pipes. water is pumped at certain times
how is energy created by geothermal power?
hot rocks beneath the earths surface can be used to heat water to produce steam which can turn a turbine
how is electricity generated in a non-renewable power station?
energy sources are burned to heat water to produce steam which then turns a turbine. The turbine turns a generator which produces electricity
what are the energy changes that occur in a power station?
chemical –> heat –> kinetic –> electrical
fuel –> boiler/ steam –> turbine –> generator
how is electricity generated in a renewable power station?
biomass is burned to heat water which produces steam to turn a turbine which turns a generator to produce electricity
wind - turns turbine directly
waves - turns turbine directly due to tide
hydroelectric - turns turbine directly
tidal - turns directly
what are the advantages of coal?
has a high reliable output
what are the disadvantages of coal?
high - commissioning, running, fuel and decommissioning costs
produces CO2 and SO2 which adds to global warming and acid rain
long start up time
what are the advantages of oil?
reliable output
high output per unit mass
short start up time
what are the disadvantages of oil?
high - commissioning, running, fuel and decommissioning costs
produces CO2 and SO2 and oil spillages
what are the advantages of gas?
reliable output
high output per unit mass
short start up time
what are the disadvantages of gas?
high - commissioning, running, fuel and decommissioning costs
produces CO2
what are the advantages of nuclear?
high reliable out put per unit mass
low fuel cost
no CO2 or SO2 because nothing is burned
what are the disadvantages of nuclear?
high - commissioning, running and decommissioning costs
radioactive waste that stays active for thousands of years which can leak and cause disasters
long start up time
what are the advantages of biomass?
reliable output
high output per unit mass
what are the disadvantages of biomass?
high - commissioning, running and decommissioning costs
produces CO2 but is carbon neutral, habitats destroyed
what are the advantages of wind?
low running costs
no fuel costs
what are the disadvantages of wind?
high commissioning costs
not a reliable output
produces noise and is an eyesore
low output
what are the advantages of solar?
low running costs
no fuel costs
what are the disadvantages of solar?
high commissioning costs
not a reliable output
low output power
what are the advantages of wave?
low running costs
no fuel costs
what are the disadvantages of wave?
high commissioning costs
not reliable
low output power
interferes with shipping and marine life
what are the advantages of tidal?
low running costs
no fuel costs
high output power
reliable output
what are the disadvantages of tidal?
high commissioning costs
migration of fish and silting
what are the advantages of hydroelectric?
low running costs no fuel costs reliable output high output fast start up time
what are the disadvantages of hydroelectric?
destroys habitats
high commissioning costs
what is the national grid?
network of cables that connect power stations to station consumers
what is a step up transformer?
increase the voltage which decreases current so less heat is lost through the cables
what is a step down transformer?
decreases voltage for safe distribution
what is baseload?
electricity that is always generated
why do certain times peak?
more electricity being used
why is the national grid reliable?
if one power station breaks down electricity is still produced
all power stations are connected to the national grid
can meet varying demand
