P1 - Renewable Energy Flashcards
What are the 8 types of renewable energy sources?
Wind, waves, tidal, hydroelectric, solar, geothermal, food, biofuels
What are the 4 types of non-renewable energy sources?
Coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear fuels (uranium and plutonium)
Describe how fuel power stations work
The fossil fuel is burned to convert its stored chemical energy to heat
The heat turns water to steam
The steam spins a turbine generating kinetic energy
The turbine spins a generator which generates electrical energy
How does wind power work?
Wind spins large turbines which spin generators giving us electrical energy
What are the 4 advantages of wind power?
Renewable
Electricity generated inside the turbine
No pollution
No permanent damaging to landscape because you can remove them and there will be no scarring
What are the 4 disadvantages of wind power?
They spoil the view (1500 turbines needed to replace power station)
Can be very noisy
No power when the wind stops
Initial costs are quite high
How do solar cells work?
The solar cell is joined in series to some electrical components so that when light hits the solar cell, an electric current is produced
What are the 6 advantages of solar cells?
Can be very small for use in handheld devices
Can be used in remote places
No pollution
Very reliable in the summer
Running costs are very small
Can generate electricity for homes
What are the 4 disadvantages of solar cells?
Don’t generate electricity at night time
Initial costs are high
Too expensive to connect to National Grid
Not visually appealing
How does hydroelectric power work?
Water is stored in a dam and then all released so that it spins turbines so that electricity can be generated
What are the 3 advantages of hydroelectric power?
No pollution because only rain water is used
Can provide immediate response to energy demand
Problems with reliability are rare (only in droughts)
What are the 3 disadvantages of hydroelectric power?
Requires flooding a valley
Loss of animal habitats
Initial costs are high
How does pumped storage work?
At night, the spare energy is used to pump water back up to the top so that it can be released when their is high energy demand
How does wave power work?
When a wave moves in, it goes into a pipe and forces air out of the pipe and into a turbine
What are the 3 advantages of wave power?
No pollution
Low running costs
Don’t look particularly ugly
What are the 3 disadvantages of wave power?
You need a lot to produce enough energy
Hazard to boats
Unreliable because they depend on waves
How does tidal power work?
The tide comes in and rises up to a pipe which it travels down and spins a turbine and is let out on the other side
The same happens when the tide goes out
What are the 3 advantages of tidal power?
No pollution
Reliable because they give us energy twice a day
Minimal running costs
What are the 3 disadvantages of tidal power?
Prevents free boat access
Spoils the view
Altering habitats of wildlife
How does geothermal power work?
Cold water is pumped underground where it is heated by hotrocks and pumped back up
The heat causes the water to become steam that drives a turbine
What are the 3 advantages of geothermal power?
No environmental problems
Can heat builings directly
Very reliable (consistent)
What are the 2 disadvantages of geothermal power?
Not many suitable locations
Expensive to set up (excavation included)
How do biofuels produce energy?
The same way as fossil fuels
What are the 3 advantages of energy from biofuels?
Can power some cars
Fuels can be solids, liquids or gases
They are produced using very eco-friendly methods
