Using Energy Flashcards
What is a renewable energy resource?
An energy source which can be replenished as it is being used up
Give four examples of renewable energy resources.
- Wind Energy
- Hydro-Electricity
- Tidal Energy
- Solar Energy
Give an example of a non-renewable energy resource.
Fossil fuels (for example coal, oil and gas).
What are the advantages of generating power using gas rather than coal?
- Flexible Generation: Gas power stations have short start-up times so can be switched on/off readily
- Lower emissions of carbon dioxide
State two disadvantages of using renewable energy resources to generate power.
- Output often determined by external factors (like wind speed), so supply is uncertain
- Renewable fuels often produce less energy per kg (so are less economical)
Explain the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels.
- Carbon Dioxide contributes to the greenhouse effect, and causes global warming
- Sulphur Dioxide leads to acid rain, which can damage buildings and crops
State three advantages of fossil fuels as an energy resource.
- Reliable: Not dependent on external factors so can generate power anytime
- Produce large amounts of energy per kg
- Still relatively abundant, so cost-effective
State three advantages of nuclear power.
- Very large amounts of energy per kg of fuel
- No greenhouse gases released, so doesn’t contribute to climate change
- Low fuel costs
State three disadvantages of nuclear power.
- Produces nuclear waste which is harmful to humans & must be safety stored for centuries.
- Non-Renewable energy source
- Risk of nuclear accidents, which have fatal consequences on humans and the environment
Give examples of social factors to consider in energy production.
- Visual Pollution
- Sound Pollution
How does hydroelectric power produce energy?
- Rainwater collects behind a dam
- When this water is released, it is used to turn a turbine
- This turbine turns a generator which produces electricity
What are some disadvantages of using biofuels?
- When plants are burned/decay they release CO2
- Growing biofuels reduces the land available for food crops
What are the advantages of tidal energy sources?
- No greenhouse gases
- Fairly reliable - tides occur twice a day
- Cheap to run as tides are natural, so free
What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power?
- The dam may cause flooding
- It can cost a lot to install the required infrastructure
What are some advantages of solar panels?
- They don’t cause harm to the environment
- They are a renewable resource
- They can be used in remote areas where other types of energy are less accessible
