Renewable Energy Flashcards
What are the 3 sources of fossil fuels?
Coal, natural oil and gas
What are the key steps of the national grid?
- The strore of chemical energy is transfered as heat.
- It is then transfered to a step-up transformer (depending of the number of coils)
- It is then sent through the high voltage transmission lines.
- Then it is sent to a step-down transformer.
Advantages of coal
Enough coal on Earth to last hundreds of years.
Produces high amounts of energy.
Disadvantages of coal
Produces carbon dioxide when burned, contributing to global warming.
Damage is caused to natural land when mining takes place.
Natural gas adavantages
It emits less carbon dioxide than coal or oil.
The UK has shale deposits (this is done by fracking)
Natural Oil disadvantages
Gas is highly flammable - if there is a gas leak, explosion can happen.
Extracting gas might cause the pollution of water.
Oil source advantages
A small amount of oil can produce a lot of energy.
It is relatively easy to store and transport.
Oil source disadvantages
Creates significant air pollution when burned.
Considerable impact on water, land use and disposal.
Nuclear power process
Atoms are split, and this energy is used to convert water into super-heated steam. This spins turbines connected to electrical generators to produce electricity.
Nuclear power advantages
No harmful gases are released in the process.
More efficient than fossil fuels
Nuclear power disadvantages
They have closed for 40 years because the uranium becomes less efficient at heating the water.
Disposal o uranium is difficult and costly.
Cost of nuclear power stations is very large.
What are the 5 types of renewable energy
Wind, Solar, Tidal, Hydroelectric and Biomass
Wind energy definition
Uses wind turbines to harness the wind
Advantages of wind energy
Constantly available and sustainable.
No cost for wind and the running cost is relatively low to others.
Disadvantages of wind energy
Low periods of wind mean little energy produced.
Cost a lot to build.
Spoil the natural landscape.
Solar energy
It is made from photovoltaic cells which harness the Sun’s light energy and convert it into electricity.
Advantages of solar energy
Renewable source.
It is everlasting.
Reduces household energy bills.
Disadvantages of solar energy
Spoil the appearance of a building.
Cost bare bruv.
Doesn’t produce a lot of energy is there are bare clouds innit
Tidal energy
Water pushes turns the turbines which generate electricity.
Advantages of tidal energy
Clean, renewable.
Tidal power plants last long.
UK is surrounded by sea so it needs an island surrounded by the sea.
Disadvanatages of tidal energy
Construction of tidal barrages is expensive.
Environmental impact is unknown.
Hydroelectricity
Uses a dam to block a valley. Once water has built up the dam, the turbines turn generators to produce electricity.
Advantages of hydroelecticity
Clean, renewable energy.
Valves can be opened very quickly to produce energy at peak times.
No pollution
Disadvantages of hydroelectricity
Dams cost bare bruv
Environmentalists get vexed i ain’t gon cap
Afftect the mandem from wildlife
Biomass
Growing plants or using animal materials which are burnt which produces heat.
Advantages of biomass
Carbon dioxide is released by plants and can be reused.
Replacement plants can be grown very quickly to ensure a good supply.
Disadvantages of biomass
Cretaes atmospheric pollution.
Land used for crops can be used for other purposes such as agriculture.
