Paper 3 - Consuming Energy Resources Flashcards
non-renewable
can’t be remade, once they’re gone they’re gone
recyclable
can be reused, so will last into the future
renewable
these renew themselves and don’t need managing
non-renewable energy resources
coal:
- most coal deposits were formed around 300 million years ago; the world was covered in tropical forest then; over millions of years, the wood and other plant matter physically and chemically changed into coal
gas:
- it is usually found with oil deposits and the leading theory suggests that they both formed millions of years ago in places where dead organic material built up on the bottom of oceans, riverbeds or swamps, and got
mixed with mud and sand; depending on how liquid or gaseous this mixture is, it will turn into either crude oil or natural gas
renewable energy resources
hydro-electric power (HEP):
- Hydroelectric energy is generated by the flow of water and like most other renewable energy sources, it is actually indirect solar power which drives the Earth’s water cycle
Solar energy:
- Solar energy is energy from the Sun - the Sun is a star that produces energy on a massive scale. Nuclear fusion reactions in its core turn 4.3 million tonnes of hydrogen into energy every second. This energy eventually radiates into space, in all directions. Travelling at the speed of light, a small fraction of it reaches
the Earth about eight minutes after it leaves the Sun
Hydrogen fuel cells:
- Water is a compound made from hydrogen and oxygen. If you pass an electric current through water, it can break the bonds in the molecules and split them into separate hydrogen and oxygen molecules. The oxygen and hydrogen are released as gases and can be collected in separate containers. This process is known as electrolysis. A fuel cell is a device that uses electrolysis in reverse. It converts hydrogen and oxygen into water, producing electricity and heat in the process
recyclable energy resources
Biomass:
- All of the Earth’s living material or ‘biomass’ exists in a thin layer around the surface of the planet called the biosphere. It is a huge store of energy that is continually replenished by the Sun through photosynthesis. Biomass is any plant or animal matter, including plant and animal waste and human sewage. Energy crops are plants grown specifically for fuel
non-renewable energy: Natural Gas (Europe)
- natural gas is used for heating & cooling in Europe
- this gas comes from underneath the North Sea
- the UK depends on the EU as this gas comes from Europe as UK’s gas has all been used up
- the use of natural gas will peak in 2030 and after supplies are likely to diminish
renewable energy: wind power in USA
- there is now 16000 large wind turbines in California
-> it provided 6.9% of Californias total energy requirements in 2015 - drawbacks of wind energy is that it’s weather dependant
recyclable energy: biogas in India
- biogas is formed when organic matter such as wood chips and animal dung are fed into a pit which forms part of a biogas plant and left to ferment -> methane is released and connected
-> used to power electricity generators or used as gas for cooking - India government has encouraged communities to install biogas plants to provide energy for rural villages
- there is now over 2.5million biogas plants across India
What are environmental impacts caused by mining in the extraction of fossil fuels
- scarring of the landscape – by stripping away soil/rock/vegetation
- increase in pollution e.g. water pollution from chemicals
What are environmental impacts caused by drilling in the extraction of fossil fuels
- Oil spills could lead to the death of many species of marine animals and plants
- Releasing of CO2 adding to the greenhouse effect
