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Physics core > Renewable energy sources > Flashcards

Renewable energy sources Flashcards

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1
Q

What does wind power involve

A

Putting lots of wind turbines up in exposed places like on moors or coasts

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2
Q

How do wind turbines work

A

They contain a generator

The electricity is generated directly inside the turbine from the wind turning the blades which turn the generator

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3
Q

What are the 4 advantages of wind power

A
  1. No pollution
  2. Renewable
  3. No permanent damage to the physical landscape
  4. No fuel cots and minimal running costs
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4
Q

What are the 4 disadvantages of wind power

A
  1. Unreliable - no power when the wind is not present
  2. They can be noisy - this can disrupt locals
  3. They spoil the view
  4. Initial costs are high
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5
Q

What is solar power

A

Solar cells generating electric currents directly from sunlight

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6
Q

What 2 things is solar energy best for

A

Calculators

Watches

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7
Q

What are 3 advantages of solar power

A
  1. Can be used in remote areas and sunny countries
  2. No pollution
  3. Free energy and no running costs
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8
Q

What are 3 disadvantages of solar energy

A
  1. Unreliable - If no sun there’s going to be barely if not any solar energy
  2. Initial costs are high
  3. Generates only a small amount of electricity
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9
Q

What are 3advantages on HEP

A
  1. Immediate response to an increase in demand for electricity
  2. No reliability problems except in drought
  3. No pollution
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10
Q

What are 3 disadvantages to HEP

A
  1. Requires the flooding of a valley by building a big dam
  2. Big impact on the environment due to the flooding of the valley
  3. Only generates small scale electricity in remote areas
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11
Q

What does Pumped storage do

A

Give extra supply when needed

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12
Q

Why do we need pumped storage

A

Most power stations have a huge boiler which needs to be kept running all night although demand is low which creates a surplus in electricity and pumped storage is the best way to store the spare energy for later use

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13
Q

What is the spare electricity used as in pumped storage

A

At night it is used to pump water to a higher reservoir and then it can be released quickly during periods of peak demand

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14
Q

Give 2 examples of peak demands

A

Meal times - tea time

National events - Olympics

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15
Q

Explain pumped storage

A

Over night, spare energy is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir using a pump. The energy is released in peak demand through a turbine from upper to lower reservoir where the energy goes from turbine to generator

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16
Q

What do you need for wave power

A

Lots of small wave-powered turbines located around the coast

17
Q

How does wave power work

A

As waves come into shore, they provide an up/down motion which can be used to drive a generator

18
Q

What are 2 advantages of wave power

A

No pollution

Very useful on small islands

19
Q

What are 3 disadvantages of wave power

A

Hazard to boats
Fairly unreliable
Doesn’t provide energy on a large scale

20
Q

Why is wave power unreliable

A

Waves die down when the wind drops

21
Q

What are tidal barrages

A

Bid dams built against river estuaries with turbines in them

22
Q

How do tidal barrages work

A

As the tide comes in, it fills up the estuary to a height of several metres driving the turbines
The water can be allowed out through the turbines at a controlled speed

23
Q

What is the source of energy for Tidal barrages

A

Gravity of the sun and the moon

24
Q

What are 2 advantages of tidal barrages

A

No pollution

Reliable - happen twice a day without fail

25
Q

What are 3 disadvantages of tidal barrages

A

Prevents free access by boats
Spoils the view
Alters habitat of wildlife

26
Q

How does Geothermal energy work

A

Steam and hot water rise to the surface and are used to drive a generator

27
Q

Where can Geothermal energy only be used

A

Volcanic areas where hot rocks lie quite near to the surface

28
Q

What is the source of heat in geothermal energy

A

Slow decay of various radioactive elements

29
Q

What is an advantage of geothermal energy

A

No environmental drawbacks

30
Q

What are 2 disadvantages od geothermal energy

A

Aren’t many suitable areas for power plants

31
Q

What are biofuels

A

Renewable energy sources

32
Q

What states do biofuels come in

A

all

33
Q

Where can we get biofuels

A

Organisms that are still alive or dead organic matter

Physics core (20 decks)

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