P1: ENERGY RESOURCES Flashcards
Examples of non-renewable energy resources
-fossil fuels
-nuclear power
Fossil fuels
-burnt in power stations to generate energy
-ADVS:
-cheap
-easy to obtain
-DISADVS:
-non-renewable
-releases CO2 (which increases global warming)
Nuclear power
-radioactive nuclei decay which generates energy
-ADVS:
-doesn’t produce CO2
-produces a lot more energy per 1kg of fuel than coal
-DISADVS:
-non-renewable
-produces nuclear waste which is radioactive and hazardous to health
Examples of renewable energy resources
-solar power
-wind
-waves
-hydro-electricity
-bio-fuel
-tides
-geothermal
Solar power
-solar panels absorb sunlight and turn generate electricity
-ADVS:
-doesn’t produce CO2
-low running costs
-DISADVS:
-expensive to build
-unreliable
Bio-fuel
-burning plant and animal matter to generate electricity
-ADVS:
-cheap
-helps to get rid of waste
-DISADVS:
-produces CO2
-deforestation
Wind power
-rotor connected to a generator
-ADVS:
-low running costs
-land can still be used (eg: for farming)
-DISADVS:
-unreliable
-expensive to build enough to generate enough electricity
Geothermal power
-heat from underground used to generate electricity
-ADVS:
-reliable
-very little environmental damage
-DISADVS:
-expensive to build a power plant
-not many suitable locations to build power plants
Hydro-electricity
-falling water used to generate electricity
-ADVS:
-reliable
-low running costs
-can provide an immediate reasons for increased demand
-DISADVS:
-requires flooding
-loss of habitats due to flooding
Wave power
-wave powered turbines to generate electricity
-ADVS:
-no pollution
-low running costs
-DISADVS:
-unreliable
-high initial costs
-won’t provide electricity on a large scale
Tidal power
-tidal barrages built across river estuaries with turbines in them. as the tide comes in it fills up the estuary and the water is allowed out the turbines at a controlled speed, generating electricity
-ADVS:
-reliable
-low running costs
-can generate a significant amount of energy
-DISADVS:
-height of tide is variable
-prevents free access by boats
-alters habitats