National and global energy resources Flashcards
What is a renewable energy resource?
An energy source which can be replenished as it is being used up.
Give 4 examples of renewable energy resrouces
- Wind energy.
- Hydro-electric.
- Tidal energy.
- Solar energy.
Give an example of a non-renewable energy resource
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.
What are the advantages of generating power using gas rather than coal?
- Flexible generation: gas power stations have short start-up times so can be switched on/off more readily.
- Lower emissions of carbon dioxide and no sulphur dioxide released.
State 2 disadvantages of using renewable energy resources to generate power
- Output often determined by external factors such as wind speed, so supply is uncertain.
- Generating power through other means is often more efficient and economically beneficial.
Explain the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels
- Carbon dioxide emissions which contribute to the greenhouse effect, and causes global warming.
- Sulphur dioxide leads to acid rain, which can damage buildings and crops.
State 3 advantages of fossil fuels as an energy resource
- Reliable: not dependent on external factors so can generate power anytime.
- Can provide large amounts of energy for a given quantity.
- Still relatively abundant, so cost-effective.
State 3 advantages of nuclear power
- Very large amounts of energy provided for relatively small quantities of fuel.
- Doesn’t release greenhouse gases and so doesn’t contribute to climate change.
- Low fuel costs.
State 3 disadvantages of nuclear power
- Produces nuclear waste which is harmful to humans and must be safely stored for centuries.
- Non-renewable energy source.
- Risk of nuclear accidents, which have fatal consequences on humans and the environment.
How does hydroelectric power produce energy?
- Rainwater collects behind a dam.
- When this water is released, it is used to turn a turbine.
- This turbine turns a generator which produces electricity.
What are some disadvantages of using biofuels?
- When plants are burned or decay, they release carbon dioxide.
- In order to grow biofuels, you need to destroy land which leads to problems: the land could have been natural habitats, destroying land may involve burning plants growing on it which releases carbon dioxide.
- Growing biofuels reduces the land available for growing food.
What are the advantages of tidal energy sources?
- They do not produce greenhouse gases.
- They are quite reliable, as tides happen twice a day.
- They are cheap to run as tides are natural, and so are free.
What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power?
- The dam may cause flooding.
- It can cost a lot to install the required infrastructure.
What are some advantages of solar panels?
- They don’t cause harm to the environment.
- They are a renewable resource.
- They can be used in remote areas where other types of energy are less accessible.
