Pros/Cons Of Energy Options Flashcards
What are the cons of solar power?
Intermittent source, but more reliable than wind.
Energy storage systems are expensive.
Requires large amount of land.
How can solar technology be used in rural communities?
Micro grids are relatively easy to deploy. Bringing villages and small towns electricity, helping reduce poverty and bridge the development gap.
What are the pros of nuclear power?
No direct pollution from operation.
Low operating cost as Uranium (the main nuclear fuel) is relatively cheap.
Reliable persistent energy supply which isn’t vulnerable to bad weather.
Nuclear plants take up little space.
What are the cons of Nuclear Power?
No long-term solution to radioactive nuclear waste.
Small risk but still potential for nuclear accidents.
High cost to build and decommission, as well as monitoring RAW
The process of mining Uranium isn’t clean.
What are the pros of solar power?
Abundant source. Global potential of 24,000TW, current consumption of 20TW.
Renewable
Mobile technology, can be used on roofs. Micro grids
No noise
What are the cons of biofuels?
Land required can lead to deforestation - causing loss of bioD in forest habitats, increasing risk of flooding.
Using cropland to grow fuel crops can increase food prices for staple foods such as Rice and Wheat.
Large quantities of water are used, straining local & regional water resources.
Use of pesticides and fertilisers can run off into waterways causing the Eutrophication of rivers and lakes.
CO2 emissions in the transportation, processing and distribution of biofuels.
What are the pros of wind power?
Renewable clean source.
Available in various sizes so people, businesses and governments can utilise them.
Low life cycle carbon footprint.
Cost falling quickly, offshore wind has fallen 35% since 2012.
Offshore costs around £110MWH compared to nuclear power Hinckley point c at £93MWH.
What are the cons of wind power?
Intermittent source as wind is unreliable.
Blades on turbines can kill bats & birds.
Wind turbines can be noisy and unattractive in the landscape - gave local opposition. (Offshore faces less).
Only viable at locations with high avg wind speed.
What are the pros of biofuels?
Arguably renewable as new crops can be grown.
Biofuels can be grown locally, reducing a nations reliance on imports.
Lower life cycle emissions.
What investments have been made and are being made in the U.K. for wind energy?
UK has largest offshore wind farm - London Array, with a 630MW capacity.
Hornsea Project One in the North Sea is to be completed in 2020 and will have a 1.2GW capacity, with stages 2 & 3 to have a capacity of 4GW.
Why isn’t the mining of Uranium clean?
Because the mining produces multiple waste products. For a years supply of Uranium for 1 POwerplant. 150 tonnes of solid waste is produced. And 1,400m3 of liquid waste is produced. In countries with less strict policies, waste can be dumped on land or fed into waterways. Which has potential to make its way directly into aquifers, harming farmers and local communities.
