P1 - Topic 5 - Using Renewable energy resources Flashcards
disadvantage of hydroelectricity?
big impact on environment due to flooding of the valley = loss of habitat for some species
advantage of hydroelectricity?
an immediate response to increased electricity demand - more water let out through turbine to generate more
what is the costing of hydroelectricity like?
high initial cost it there are minimal running costs and reliable
what is wave power?
-up and down motion of waves is used to drive a generator
advantages of wave power?
- offshore wave farms are now being developed to make us of waves further out in the ocean creating more energy
- useful on small islands
disadvantages of wave power?
- unreliable = waves die down when wind drops
- most wave power used waves close to shore which have less power
- never likely to provide energy on a large scale
what are tidal barrages?
- big dams built across river estuaries with turbines in
- tide comes in = estuary fills up
- water then let out through turbines at controlled speed
- drives turbine on the way
advantages of tidal barrages?
reliable energy source = potential to generate lots of energy
disadvantages of tidal barrages?
can only be used in a few of the most suitable estuaries
what is wind power?
- wind turbines have own generators inside = electricity generated directly from the wind turning blades which turns generator
advantages of wind power?
no pollution (expect manufacturer ion)
advantages of wind power?
spoil view
can be very noisy
not work when windy = unreliable
not always possible to supply more electricity when there’s extra demand
what are solar cells?
generate electric current directly from sun
disadvantages of solar cells?
relatively small scale (homes)
not as good in cloudy countries but still cost efficient
advantages of solar cells
reliable In sunny countries
good for remote places where there isn’t many ways to generate electricity
