Generating electricity Flashcards
Name the four non-renewable energy resources.
Coal, Oil, Natural gas and Nuclear fuels (uranium and plutonium)
Name the eight renewable energy resources.
Wind, Waves, Tides, Hydroelectric, Solar, Geothermal, Food and Biofuels
Describe briefly how a turbine in a power station works.
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 fossil-fuel power stations) to produce steam. The steam turns a turbine converting the thermal energy in to kinetic energy. The turbine is connected to a generator which transfers kinetic energy in to electrical energy.
Give the advantages and disadvantages for wind power.
Wind power- One advantage is that there is no pollution and that each turbine has its own generator. There are disadvantages such as the fact that they are noisy and they depend on the weather. Also the initial costs are very high.
Give the advantages and disadvantages for solar power.
Solar power- An advantage is that there is no environmental damage and that there is no pollution. A disadvantage is that they cost a lot to install and are dependent on the weather.
Give the advantages and disadvantages for hydroelectric power.
A big advantage is that it can provide immediate response to an increased demand for electricity and that there is no problem with reliability. A disadvantage is that initial costs are high.
Give the advantages and disadvantages for wave power.
One advantage is that there is no pollution however the waves are very unreliable and you need lots of them.
Give the advantages and disadvantages for tidal power.
An advantage of tidal power is that there are no running costs and the tides happen twice a day without fail. There are disadvantages such as the fact that the initial costs are very high.
Give the advantages and disadvantages for geothermal power.
It doesn’t have any environmental problems but the major draw back is that there aren’t very many locations that are suitable for this type of energy.
Explain the use of transformers in the national grid.
It is much cheaper to boost the voltage up really high (400,000 V) and keep the current very low. The transformers need to step up the voltage at one end to make it more efficient and then step down the voltage when it reaches homes so that it has safe, usable levels.
What are the pros and cons of overhead and underground cables?
