Renewable energy Flashcards
What is non-renewable energy?
A resource that will not be reproduced within a lifetime
They are a finite resource
What is a renewable energy
A resource that will be reproduced within a lifetime
They are an infinite resource
Examples of a non-renewable resource
Coal
Oil
Natural gas
Examples of a renewable resource
Solar energy
Wind
Water waves
Hydro-electricity
Bio-fuel
Tides
Geothermal
How does wind power work
The rotating blades turn a generator and produce electricity
Positives of wind power
No pollution
No fuel costs and minimal running costs
No permanent damage to damage to landscape
Produce electricity 70-85% of the time
Negatives of wind power
Spoil the view
Very noisy
Stop when the wind stops or of the wind is too strong
Impossible to increase supply
High initial costs
What are solar cells?
Generate electric currents directly from the sun
Positives of solar cells
No pollution
Reliable source of energy (apart from at night)
Cost effective
Free energy and running costs are minimal
Negatives of solar cells
Cannot increase demand
High initial costs
Small scale
What is geothermal energy
In volcanic areas or where hot rocks lie near the surface. This heats water and turns a turbine and generates energy
Positives of geothermal energy
Free energy
Reliable and does not impact the environment
Can be used to generate electricity and heat buildings directly
Negatives of geothermal energy
Aren’t many locations for power plants
High costs
What is hydroelectric power
A flooding of a valley by building a big dam. Water is slowly released through turbines to generate electricity
Positives of hydroelectric power
Immediate response to an increased electric demand
Reliable apart from during droughts
No fuel costs and low running costs
Useful on a small scale in remote areas
Negatives of hydroelectric power
Impact on environment due to flooding in the environment
Loss of habitat
What is wave power
Wave powered turbines located around the cost
The turbines are connected to a generator
Positives of wave power
No pollution
No fuel costs and minimal running costs
Useful of small islands
Negatives of wave power
Disrupting the sea bed and marine habitats
Spoil views
Die out during lacks of wind
No productive on large scales
What is tidal barrages
Dams build along estuaries with turbines in them turn due to changes in tides
Positives of tidal barrages
No pollution
Reliable and happen twice a day
No fuel costs and minimal running costs
Generates significant of energy
Negatives of tidal barrages
Prevent access for boats
Spoil views and alter habitats
Require specific conditions
High initial high costs
What is bio-fuels
An energy that is burnt
Usually created from organic matter (e.g. animal dung)
Positives of bio-fuels
Reliable
Carbon neutral
Reliable
Negatives of bio-fuel
Cannot respond to energy demands
High costs
Reductions in habitats
Increase C02 and methane emissions
