P3: Energy resources Flashcards
What are the two types of energy resources
Non renewable
Renewable
What is a non renewable resource
Energy resources which run out on one day while being used. They do a lot of damage to the environment, however they are very reliable and are burnt to provide energy
What are the 4 non renewable resources
Coal
Oil
Natural gas
Nuclear fuel
What is a renewable resource
Energy resources which are unlimited, they never ever run out while being used. They do not damage the environment as much as non renewable resources, however they are not all available depending on the weather conditions and are unreliable
What are the seven renewable resources
Solar
Wind
Waves
Tidal
Geothermal
Hydroelectricity
Biofuels
What can we use energy resources for
Transport
Fuel
Heat
Biofuel vehicles
Steam production
Petrol and diesel powered vehicles
What are the best resources for heating homes
Natural gas. Its widely used in the UK and we use the gas to heat water which is pumped into radiators throughout our home
Coal is burnt in fireplaces
How is a power station formed. Give the 7 steps on how to do so
- The fossil fuel has chemical potential energy
- Fossil fuels are burnt in the boiler and chemical potential energy is transferred as thermal energy
- In the boiler, thermal energy from the burning fuel heats water to make steam
- The steam has thermal and kinetic energy
- The steam transfers the kinetic energy to a steam turbine
- The steam turbine turns. It is connected to a generator which converts kinetic energy into electrical energy. This goes on to power our homes
- After passing through the turbine, waste steam is cooled back down into water and is recycled back into the boiler
How can we use non renewable resources efficiently for electricity
Coal and natural gas generate electricity by combustion. Uranium nuclear fission (nuclear power) utilises the heat for boiling water and rotating steam turbines.
Why are nuclear power plants commonly used
They produce a maximum power of 92%.
How can we use non renewable resources for heat
Fossil fuel power plants burn coal or oil to create heat which is used to generate steam to drive turbines, generating electricity.
How does nuclear fission work
When nuclear power originates from the splitting of uranium atoms. Then heat is generated to produce steam used by a turbine generator to generate electricity. Nuclear power plants don’t burn fuel or produce greenhouse gas emissions
What are the advantages of wind power
No fuel costs
Minimal running costs
They produce electricity 70 to 85% of the time
There is no pollution
What are the disadvantages of wind power
It is noisy
Can spoil view or scenery
Impossible to increase supply with the extra demand
Depending on the conditions, it many not always work
High initial costs
If theres no windy conditions, the wind turbines will stop
What are the advantages of solar power
No pollution
In sunny conditions, it is a reliable source of power
Cost effective
Energy is free after initial costs
Good source of energy for changing batteries in calculators and watches
Don’t use much electricity
What are the disadvantages of solar power
Used in remote places
Very expensive
High initial costs
Generate electricity on a small scale
Only works in daytime
Power output cannot be increased with high demand
What are the advantages of geothermal power
Brilliant, free energy
Heats buildings directly
Generates electricity easily
What are the disadvantages of geothermal power
Not a lot of places to do this
High costs for power plants
What are the advantages of hydroelectricity
No pollution
Rainwater can pass out, so doesn’t affect hydroelectricity
Placed in remote valleys to reduce human impact
Good reliability
Provides an immediate response to increased demand for electricity
Useful way to generate electricity on a small scale in remote areas
No fuel costs
Minimal running costs
What are the disadvantages of hydroelectricity
Flooding valleys rots vegetation and releases carbon dioxide and methane, can create loss of habitat for some species
Reservoirs look unsightly when dried up
High initial costs
What are the advantages of wave power
No fuel costs
No running costs
Useful on small islands
No pollution
What are the disadvantages of wave power
Fairly unreliable
Waves die out when wind drops
Unlikely to provide energy on a large scale
High initial costs
Disturbance of habitats of marine animals
What are the advantages of tidal barrage power
No pollution
Water is allowed out through turbines at a controlled speed
Reliable in a sense they happen twice a day, with no fail and near a predicted height
No fuel or minimal running costs
Generates a significant amount of energy
What are the disadvantages of tidal barrage power
Moderately high initial costs
Don’t work when the water level is the same on the other side of the barrage, and due to tides, it happens four times a day
Prevents free access by boats
Spoils the view
Ruins habitats for animals
What are the advantages of biofuels
They are carbon neutral
Reliable as crops take a short time to grow, and different crops can be grown all year round
Produced and stored for when needed
Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for photosynthesis
What are the disadvantages of biofuels
High costs
Growing crops means not enough space or water to meet demands for crops that are grown for food
When biofuels are burnt, we release CO2 into the atmosphere
Decay and burning of vegetation increases methane and carbon dioxide emissions
Doesn’t respond to immediate energy demands
A rumour is spread where if we keep growing plants, at the same rate we are burning things
What is wind power
Generates electricity from wind turbines
What is solar power
Energy emitted by the Sun
What is wave power
Uses small wave powered turbines around the coast to generate electricity
What are tidal barrages
Generate electricity by using the sun and moon’s gravity
What is hydroelectricity
Uses falling water and floods a valley to build a dam
What are biofuels
Biofuels provide energy just like non renewable resources and are made from plant and waste
What is geothermal power
Energy from underground. Uses thermal energy stores underground
