Renewable Energy

Question 1

what is ‘Renewable energy’

Answer 1

• Renewable energy is created from natural sources that can be replenished.
• Renewable resources can be replaced as they run out.
  It is a cleaner way to create energy.

Question 2

Types of renewable energy

Answer 2

Types of renewable energy are:

• Wind.
• Solar.
• Tidal.
• Hydro-electrical.
• Biomass.

Question 3

how is Wind power used

Answer 3

• Wind turbines use a generator to convert movement from the wind into electricity.
• Wind turbines can be used in wind farms where lots of turbines gather electricity or on a smaller scale on private land.
• They can be used in remote locations providing power.

Question 4

Disadvantages of wind power

Answer 4

• They will only work in windy conditions.
• They make a noise.
• They can disturb or harm wildlife.
• They are large and some people do not like how they look.

Question 5

how does solar power work

Answer 5

• Photovoltaic cells convert energy from the sun’s rays into electricity.
• Photovoltaic cells can be used in solar farms where lots of sheets gather electricity or on a smaller scale on private houses.
• They are expensive to set up, however they need little maintenance.
• They can be used in remote locations providing power.

Question 6

Disadvantages of solar power

Answer 6

• They will only work in sunny conditions.

- They need to be angled towards the sun’s rays.

Question 7

how does tidal power work

Answer 7

• The movement of turbines in the water uses a generator to convert movement from the tide or waves into electricity.
• It is a very consistent and predictable form of renewable energy

Question 8

disadvantages of tidal

Answer 8

• It’s expensive to build.
• Difficult to access for maintenance and repair.
• They can disturb or harm sea life.
• They can change the movement of water and this could lead to erosion of coastlines.

Question 9

how does Hydro-electrical power (HEP) work

Answer 9

• A reservoir of water is created with a dam. The dam controls the flow of water out of the reservoir.
• As the water flows out of the reservoir, it turns turbines that use a generator to convert movement into electricity.
• The reservoir is refilled when it rains or when the water can be pumped back in. This flow of water can be increased on demand.

Question 10

disadvantages of HEP

Answer 10

• It can disturb or harm wildlife.
• It’s expensive to build.
• Destroys the natural environment.

Question 11

how does Biomass work

Answer 11

• Waste material from animals and plants contains stored energy from the sun.
• The biofuel is burnt to generate heat and power turbines that generate electricity.

Question 12

disadvantages of Biomass

Answer 12

• Burning biomass creates carbon emissions.
• Biomass crops can be farmed which needs areas of land. - - This results in:
  . Deforestation, which can disturb or harm wildlife.
  . Fewer food crops are being grown in areas where food may be scarce.
  . Water is used to feed crops in areas where water may be scarce.