Global energy resources Flashcards
How do fossil fuels work
Burnt to release thermal energy used to turn water into steam to turn turbines
Uses of fossil fuels
Generating electricity, heating, and transport
Positives of fossil fuels
Provides most of UK’s energy
Large reserves
Cheap to extract
Used in transport, heating and making electricity. Easy to transport
Negative of fossil fuels
Non- renewable
Burning coal and oil releases sulfur dioxide. When mixed with rain makes acid rain. Acid rain damages building and kills plants. Burning fossil fuel releases carbon dioxide which contributes to global warming. Serious environmental damage if oil spilt.
How nuclear energy works
Nuclear fission process
Uses of nuclear energy
Generating electricity
Positives of nuclear energy
No greenhouse gases produced. Lots of energy produced from small amounts of fuel
Negatives of nuclear energy
Non- renewable. Dangers of radioactive materials being released into air or water. Nuclear sites need high levels of security. Start-up costs and decommission costs very expensive. Toxic waste needs careful storing.
How does biofuel energy work?
Plant matter burnt to release thermal energy
Uses of biofuel energy
Transport and generating electricity
Positives of biofuel energy
Renewable. As plants grow, they remove carbon dioxide. They are carbon neutral
Negatives of biofuel energy
Large areas of land needed to grow fuel crops. Habitats destroyed and food not grown. Emits carbon dioxide when burnt thus adding to greenhouse gases and global warming.
How does tide energy work?
Everyday tides rise and fall, so generation of electricity can be predicted.
Uses of tide energy
Generating electrecity
Positives of tide energy
Renewable. Predictable due to consistency of tides. No greenhouse gases produced.
Negatives of tide energy
Expensive to set up. A dam-like structure built across an estuary, altering habitats and causing problems for ships and boats.
How does wave energy work
Up and down motion turns turbines
Uses of wave energy
Generating electrecity
Positives of wave energy
Renewable. No waste products
Negatives of wave energy
Can be unreliable depends on wave output as large waves can cause pistons working
How does hydroelectric work
Falling water spins a turbine
Positives of wave energy
Renewable
Non-waste products
Uses of wave energy
generating electricity
Negatives of wave energy
Habitats destroyed when dam is built
How does wind energy work
Movement causes turbine to spin which turns a generator
Uses of wind energy
Generating electrecity
Positives of wind energy
renewable
no waste product
Negatives of wind energy
Unreliable- wind varies. Visual and noise pollution
Dangerous to migrating birds
How does solar energy work
Directly heats objects in solar panels or sunlight captured in photovoltaic cells
Uses of solar energy
Generating electrecity and some heating
Positives of solar energy
Renewable
No waste products
Negatives of solar energy
Making and installing solar panels expensive.
Unreliable due to light intensity
How does geothermal energy work
Hot rocks under the ground heats water to produce steam to turn turbine
Use of geothermal energy
Generating electrecity and heating
Positives of geothermal energy
Renewable
clean
no greenhouse gases produced
Negatives of geothermal energy
Limited to a small number of countries. Geothermal power stations can cause earthquake tremors.
