Renewable energy. Flashcards
What are renewable resources?
- Renewable resources are ones that are being (or can be) replenished as it is used.
What is wind energy?
- Wind energy is when the kinetic energy of the wind moves a blade (attached to a turbine) and is converted into electrical energy.
What is a turbine?
- A turbine is a revolving machine that is turned by water, steam or wind. In power stations, turbines turn a generator.
What is a generator?
- A generator is a device that converts kinetic energy to electrical energy.
What happens if there is too much/ little wind?
- Too much wind: blade will not work. No electicity.
- Too little wind: No electricity will be generated.
What are the advantages of wind power?
Wind power:
- Renewable
- 0 emissions
- No fuel costs
What are the disadvantages of wind power?
- Noise/ sight pollution.
- Unreliable (amount of electricity depends on wind)
What is tidal energy?
- Tidal energy is a renewable source powered by the movement of the sea as it rises/ falls with tides.
What is wave energy?
- Wave energy is a renewable source that uses the movement of the waves to drive a turbine.
What is hydroelectricity?
- Hydroelectricity is a renewable source generated by the gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy of water in a reservoir and falling down into water flow.
What are the advantages of wave/ tidal power?
- 0 emissions
- No fuel cost
- Renewable
What are the disadvantages of wave/ tidal power?
- Location specific.
- Unreliable.
- Inefficient.
What are the advantages of hydroelectricity?
- Reliable
- 0 emissions
- Controllable for demand
- Renewable
What are the disadvantages of hydroelectricity?
- Harmful to habitats/ homes
- Location specific
What is geothermal energy?
- Geothermal energy is a renewable source that uses the earth’s heat to generate electricity.
What are the advantages of geothermal energy?
- Renewable
- 0 emissions
- Reliable
What are the disadvantages of geothermal energy?
- Location specific
- Can trigger earthquakes during building them
- Can release greenhouse gases during drilling into the ground to build geothermal power plants.
- Expensive
What is solar energy?
- Solar energy is a renewable source powered by nuclear fusion in the sun - emitt radiation to generate heat or electricity.
What is a solar cell?
- A solar cell is a device that transfers light energy into electrical energy via the radiation pathway.
What is a solar panel?
- A solar panel gets heat energy from the sun to heat up cold water in a boiler.
What are the advantages of solar energy?
- Renewable
- 0 emissions
- No fuel costs
What are the disadvantages of solar energy?
- Inefficient (no where to store large amounts of electricity/ heat generated.)
- Expensive to fit.
- Unreliable (electricity generated depends on weather conditions.)
What is biomass energy?
- Biomass energy is a renewable source powered by plant and animal material.
How can biomass be used?
- Liquid fuel for vehicles
- Electricity for homes and buildings
- Heat water
What is meant by carbon neutral?
- Carbon neutral is when you balance out the carbon released to the carbon absorbed.
What are the advantages of biomass energy?
- Renewable
- Reliable
- Release less carbon dioxide
What are the disadvantages of biomass energy?
- Reduced space for crops.
- Still releases carbon dioxide (contributing to global warming.)
