Renewable energy sources

Question 1

What is one pro and one con of wind power?

Answer 1

Pros: Renewable, no pollutant gases, no permanent damage, minimal running costs
Cons: Noise and visual pollution, initial cost is quite high, unreliable, lots of turbines needed to generate same amount as power stations

Question 2

How do solar cells work?

Answer 2

They generate electric currents directly from sunlight.

Question 3

What is one pro and one con of solar cells?

Answer 3

Pros: No pollution, renewable, no running costs, small scale only
Cons: Initial cost is high, not reliable (not always sunny), couldn’t be connected to the national grid.

Question 4

Describe the process of getting electricity through wave power.

Answer 4

The wave moves into the shore and the air is forced out into a turbine which produces kinetic energy which is then converted into electrical energy by a generator.

Question 5

What is one pro and one con of tidal barrages?

Answer 5

Pros: Renewable, excellent for storing energy for peak demand, minimal running costs
Cons: Spoils the view, prevents free boat access, alters habitats, initial costs are quite high

Question 6

Describe the process of getting electricity through geothermal energy.

Answer 6

Hot rocks underneath the earth give of hot water and steam that rise up from the earth to turn turbines for kinetic energy which is then converted into electrical energy by a generator

Question 7

Describe the process of getting electricity through hydroelectric power.

Answer 7

Water is stored in an upper reservoir and released to allow the gravitational energy to turn the turbine which creates kinetic energy which is then turned into electrical energy by a generator and the water then flows down into a lower reservoir.

Question 8

What is pumped storage and what is it’s purpose?

Answer 8

Its where the water is pumped back up to the upper reservoir at night so that the water can then be released again quickly to meet peak demands.