Potential For Sustainable Energy Supply And Consumption Flashcards
What is biofuel?
The part of biomass that can be converted into energy.
What are some modern techniques of using biomass?
Gasifying the biomass and burning the gas released. In medcs biofuels also include the methane that is harvested from landfill sites and municipal waste. Biofuels create lower levels of pollution than traditional fossil fuels.
Bioethanol in Brazil case study:
> ethanol from cane sugar was introduced as vehicle fuel
government banned the use of diesel- powered vehicles
import duties on petrol= ethanol prices below that of imported fuel
brazil- no longer dependent on imported fuel and is a net exporter of energy
Which areas of the world have a net deficit or surplus of solar energy?
The tropics- net surplus (relative proximity to the sun).
High latitudes- net deficit.
Why is solar energy not completely efficient at the moment?
Initial investment is high and conservation efficiency is relatively low.
When is solar energy most efficient?
On a small scale- e.g. solar panels in mediterranean climates (large scale solar power stations in California).
However not efficient in the UK- and technology limitations.
How is wind energy generated?
Using a wind turbine- it is more economical if several turbines are sited in the same place in the form of a wind farm.
Why have energy companies started to look for offshore sites where larger capacity turbines can be used?
As objections are sometimes raised to building wind farms in upland areas.
What are the benefits of wind energy?
It is pollution free and does not contribute to global warming. Wind blows stronger in the winter when demand is the highest.
They do not take up a lot of space (habitats around them).
What is the demand for wind energy like compared to other energies?
It is becoming increasingly competitive with coal-fired power plants and it is cheaper than nuclear fuel. It is not as cheap as gas fired power stations, but wind energy costs are likely to go down in the future.
What are the negatives of wind energy?
>areas of otherwise natural beauty >intrusive >noise >wildlife damage >affect on property prices >large sites needed for small amounts of energy
How many turbines are needed to produce the same amount of energy as one nuclear power station?
7000
In 2004 how much of the energy produced in the UK was renewable energy?
3%
What problems have been caused in the UK from wind farms?
> builders have been insensitive
Describe North Hoyle Offshore wind farm?
30 turbines
50,000 homes powered
160,000 tonnes co2 p/a
(Look ugly and impossible for birdlife)
