Renewables - examples

Question 1

Onshore or small scale wind (pros)

Answer 1

• Uk is windiest country in EU - potential for a lot of power
• Farmers and land owners have option to buy for themselves and sell excess to the grid, rent land
• Quick and cheap to install

Question 2

Onshore or small scale wind (cons)

Answer 2

• Eyesore
• Noise pollution
• Environmental impact - collision with birds
• Don’t produce energy all year round
• Need an upland, windy site to be most efficient

Question 3

Anaerobic digestion (definition)

Answer 3

Anaerobic digestion is the process using micro-organisms to break down organic matter found in wet bio mass (slurry, animal manure) without the pretense of oxygen into a biogas (60% methane and 40% co2) and digestate (nitrogen rich fertiliser)

Question 4

Anaerobic digestion (pros)

Answer 4

• Turns waste into a energy resource that would otherwise be sent to landfill
• Carbon neutral

Question 5

Anaerobic digestion (cons)

Answer 5

• Very expensive - between £1-4 million
• Can cause noise, dust and potential environmental contamination if leaked
• 24 hour operation so requires constant material - farms need to be able to supply it

Question 6

Small scale hydro (pros)

Answer 6

• Can produce electricity with a small amount of flow and can be carried up to a mile away
• Inexpensive (£800-£20,000)
• Creates a continuous supply of electricity
• Can be sold to the grid or sell to power companies

Question 7

Small scale hydro (cons)

Answer 7

• Unreliable - work best in winter as summer flows fluctuate
• Can create small environmental impacts - splits streams so can effect local ecology or fish paths
• A small stream is required