Revision (chp 8 Emerging Technologies

Question 1

2015 Q2(d). Wave and tidal energy have been described as a priority concern for Northern Ireland. Identify two main constraints on developing wave and tidal technologies in Northern Ireland.

Answer 1

• Limited availability of suitable sites.
• Environmental support.
• Government support.
• Cost of development.

Question 2

Tidal stream generators and tidal garages are the two main generating methods for tidal power. Compare and contrast these two methods.

Answer 2

Tidal stream generators make use of the kinetic energy of moving water to power turbines.

Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in water height between high and low tides.

With the receding tide, this potential energy is then converted into kinetic energy as the water is released through large turbines that create electrical power through the use of generators.

Tidal stream generators have the advantage of being much cheaper to build.

And do not have as much of an environmental impact as tidal barrage.

Question 3

2015 Q2(b) Describe three environmental implications that must be considered when deciding to install wave energy converters at a particular site.

Answer 3

• Impact on marine life and habitat.
• Risk of toxic pollution.
• Visual and noise impact.
• Conflict with other sea users.

Question 4

Spec paper Q5(c)(i). Explain how smart glass can be used to support environmental management.

Answer 4

• Smart glass changes light transmitting properties when voltage is applied.
• Allows individual to control the light and heat of any room, can save costs relating to heating, air conditions and
  lighting.

Question 5

Spec paper Q5(c)(ii). Discuss the benefits of a smart waste system.

Answer 5

• Identifies peak times of waste.
• Can organise disposal when required.
• Anticipate need.
• More cost effective.
• Better planning of collection of schedules.

Question 6

2015 Q1(a) Explain what is meant by Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) from fossil fuel plants.

Answer 6

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is the name given to the technology and process designed to prevent carbon dioxide exhaust when burning fossil fuels from entering the atmosphere.

The exhaust gas from the combustion of fossil fuels is ‘captured’ and then stored rather than being released into the atmosphere.

Question 7

2015 Q1(c). Discuss one advantage and one risk associated with geo-engineering as the deliberate modification of the Earths atmosphere to offset the effects of climate change.

Answer 7

Advantage;
- Counteract increasing global temperatures.
- Facilitates the control of greenhouse gases.
- Counteracts climate change.
- Some technologies are inexpensive and effective.

Risk;
- Risks associated with control and predictability of technologies and processes.
- Little known about the long term side effects.
- Ethical concerns and risks associate with the use of geo-engineering.
- Governance risks.

Question 8

2016 Q3(c). Give one example for ‘Geo-engineering’ technique and explain how it could be applied.

Answer 8

• Cloud seeding, where clouds are injected with crystals to produce ‘rain on demand’.
• Space reflectors, which block a proportion of the sun’s rays from entering the earth’s atmosphere thereby
  reducing global warming.
• Afforestation, whereby global scale planting of trees absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere.
• Biochar, the process of ‘charring’ biomass so that the carbon it contains is locked up in the soil.

Question 9

Describe the operation of Bio-Photovoltaic (BPV) devices.

Answer 9

Bio-Photovoltaic (BVP)