How energy is generated and stored

Question 1

What is renewable energy?

Answer 1

• Renewable energy sources include wind, solar, tidal, geothermal, biomass and hydro-electric.
• Renewable energy sources are often referred to as ‘clean’ or ‘green’ energy sources, because they come from a natural supply that is continuously replaced.

Question 2

What is non-renewable energy?

Answer 2

• Non-renewable energy sources include coal, oil, gas and nuclear
• Non-renewable energy sources are often referred to as ‘dirty’ or ‘fossil fuels’, because they need to be extracted from the earth and have only limited amounts.

Question 3

What are the advantages and disadvantages of wind energy?

Answer 3

• Advantages
  -little impact on environment
  -renewable source
• Disadvantages
  -visual pollution
  -expensive to install
  -rely on wind
  -harmful to wildlife especially birds

Question 4

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy?

Answer 4

• Advantages
  -little impact on environment
  -renewable source
• Disadvantages
  -expensive
  -rely on sunny weather
  -space consuming
  -difficult to store solar energy

Question 5

What are the advantages and disadvantages of tidal energy?

Answer 5

• Advantages
  -little impact on environment
  -renewable source
  -80% efficient, better than solar/wind
• Disadvantages
  -expensive
  -damage ecological coastlines and marine life

Question 6

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Geothermal energy?

Answer 6

• Advantages
  -little impact on environment
  -renewable source
• Disadvantages
  -expensive
  -could trigger earthquakes