national and global energy sources Flashcards
what is a renewable energy resource
an energy resource that can be replenished as it is being used up
give four examples of renewable energy resources
-wind electricity
-Hydro- electricity
-tidal energy
-solar energy
give an example of a non-renewable energy resource
fossil fuel (oil,coal and gas)
what are the advantages of generating power using gas than coal
-lower emissions of carbon dioxide
-flexible generation - gas power stations have short start up times so they can switch on and off more readily.
state two disadvantages of using renewable energy resources
-output often determined by external factors like wind speed - so supply is uncertain.
-generating power through other means is more efficient and economically beneficial.
explain environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels
- carbon dioxide contributes to the greenhouse affect and causes global warming.
- sulfur dioxide leads to acid rain- which can damage buildings and crops.
state three advantages of fossil fuels
reliable-not dependant on external factors - so can generate power any time.
- can produce large amounts of energy for a given quality.
- still relatively abundant so cost-effective
three advantage of nuclear power
-very large amount of energy for relatively small quantities of fuel.
-doesn’t release greenhouse gases so doesn’t contribute to
climate change.
-low fuel costs.
three disadvantages of nuclear power
-produces nuclear waste - which is harmful to humans and must be stored safely for centuries.
- non-renewable energy resource.
-risk of nuclear accidents which have a fatal impact on humans and the environment.
how does hydroelectricity power produce energy
-rainwater collects behind a dam.
-when water released it is used to to turn a turbine.
-the turbine turns a generator which produces electricity
what are some disadvantages of using bio-fuel
-when plants are burned or decay they release Co2
- in order to grow biofuels you need to destroy land leading to problems:
-land could have been natural habitats
-destroying land may involve burning plants on it - releasing co2
-growing biofuels reduces the land able to grow food on.
advantages of tidal energy
-does not produce greenhouse gases
-quite reliable - as tides happen twice a day
- cheep to run as tides are natural - and so are free
disadvantages of hydro electricity power
- dam may cause flooding
- can cause a lot to install the required infrastructure
advantages of solar power
- don’t cause harm to environment
-renewable energy resource
-can be used in remote areas where other types of energy and less accessible.
