Generation and transmission of electricty Flashcards
What is renewable energy?
Energy that can be used over and over again and will not run out.
Why do most renewable energy resources not cause pollution or greenhouse gases?
Because when used to generate electricity no fuel is burned.
What are 8 types of renewable energy?
- Solar cells
- Hydroelectricity
- Wind turbines
- Geothermal energy
- Tidal power
- Wave power
- Biomass
What are 4 types of Non-renewable energy?
- Nuclear Power stations
- Coal
- Natural Gas
- Oil
What is payback time?
The time needed to get back the cost of something e.g double glazing
How do you calculate Payback Time?
COST ÷ SAVINGS PER YEAR
What do nuclear power stations use as their energy source?
Radioactive metals such as uranium and plutonium.
Fossil fuels produce waste gases which can cause problems. What are two examples of problems?
Carbon dioxide emissions contribute to climate change.
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can cause acid rain.
Why is the fossil fuel: Natural gas cleaner than coal?
Because it contains less nitrogen and does not contain sulfur and natural gas power stations emit less carbon dioxide than other power stations emitting the same amount of electricity.
Describe the use of solar cells.
Solar cells convert solar energy directly into electricity.
In some power stations the energy is used to heat the air under the glass. The hot air rises up the tower turning turbines as it moves.
DISADVANTAGE: Not available all the time.
Describe Hydroelectricity.
It is generated by falling water in places where water can be trapped in high reservoirs. ADVANTAGES: It is available at any time. Can be started and stopped very quickly.
DISADVANTAGES: Initial cost very expensive
- Has to be in certain locations
- Has impact on local habitats
Describe the use of wind turbines.
Can be used to generate electricity (as long as the wind speed is not too slow or too fast). A lot of wind turbines are needed to produce the same amount of energy as a fossil- fuelled power station DISADVANTAGE: some people think they spoil the landscape
- Risk for birds
- Noise pollution
- Spoil landscape
- Don’t make enough energy
Describe Geothermal energy
It is heat transferred from hot underground rocks. In some places the rocks are hot enough to turn underground water into steam, which can turn turbines in power stations to generate electricity. DISADVANTAGE: Some gases dissolved into the steam can cause pollution . ADVANTAGE: Clean and pollution free most of the time.
