Renewable energy resources Flashcards
How would you use passive solar architecture to maximise the capture of sunlight?
1.elongating south facing walls
2.having black walls
3.having textured walls
describe how solar assisted heat pumps work.
1.a fluid refrigerant (hot water) with a low boiling point
2.heated by air (in the panels)
3.when the fluid reaches its boiling point of low temperature it will turn into a gas
4.gas is forced into a compressor
5.compresses gas converts back into a liquid, releasing heat
6.heat exchanger transfers heat to water for spare heating and tap water
(not producing electricity)
describe how photovoltaic systems work?
1.they are made of silicon
2.one side is doped in phosphorus this is the negative side
3.other side is doped in boron this is known as the positive side
4.boron side is poor in electrons
5.phosphorus side is rich in electrons
6.when exposed to the sun it excites the electrons
7.electrons on the phosphorus side (negative side) start to move to the boron side and the positive side receives the electrons
8.this forms a current
9.producing electricity
advantages of solar energy
1.renewable
2.efficient
3.abundant
4.cheaper
5.developed technology
6.available in most country’s
7.applicable to most things
disadvantages of solar energy
1.manufacturing costs are high
2.intermittent
3.conflict with habitat loss as lots of space is needed
4.mining needed for phosphorus, boron, copper, silicon
5.not always cost effective
6.storage and transport for later use is expensive
The future of solar
what is a heliostat?
1.an apparatus containing a movable mirror
2.used to reflect sunlight
3.in a fixed direction
the future of solar power
what is a parabolic reflector?
a device that collects and reflects light, sound and radio waves
(a dish or curved mirror)
new technology for solar
What is a multi-junction photovoltaic cell?
1.multiple different substances on multiple layers
2.every substance absorbs energy at different wavelength
3.get more energy
4.the more material the more energy
5.costly but more efficient
new technology for solar
what are anti reflective surfaces?
1.less reflective a surface is more solar energy is absorbed
2.if a surface is textured (grooved) the cell will absorb more solar energy
3.more efficient
new technology for solar
describe concentrating solar power with thermal storage
1.parabolic reflector are used to increase energy density
2. light is absorbed by tubes of oil to heat molten salts
3.which are in large insulated tanks
4.salt heated to temps of 550°C
5.this is used to boil water (throughout the night)
6.driving steam turbines whenever electricity is required
new technology for solar
what is a photovoltaic/thermal hybrid system?
1.a cell incorporating heating water and producing electricity
2.photo thermal systems are cheaper
3.every time conversions to electricity occurs energy is lost
4.so doing it directly is more efficient
5.heating water is cheaper
new technology for solar
what are transparent PV cells?
1.cells that can be used in and on windows
2.making the cell versatile
3.absorbs light energy
new technology for solar
what are self cleaning panels?
1.panels that have a hydrophobic layer on them
2.water moves of quickly whilst removing dust particles of them
hydroelectric power
advantages
1.renewable (infinite)
2.clean sustainable (produce electricity without emitting GHG)
3.reduce risk of floods as regulates flow continuously
4.can act as storage of water for domestic use
5.protects biodiversity (later bodies of water in reservoirs encourage growth of vegetation in turn attracts animals)
6.cheap in the long run
Hydroelectric power
disadvantages
1.high initial investment cost
2.displacement of people and wild life
3.change in habitat up and down stream
4.can cause fought downstream
5.emissions during construction
6.high embodied energy
(concrete dams)
7.could become unpredictable with climate change
