1.3 National and Global Energy Resources

Question 1

what is a renewable energy resource?

Answer 1

an energy source which can be replenished as it is being used up.

Question 2

what are the advantages of generating power using gas rather than coal?

Answer 2

• flexible generation: gas power stations have short start-up times so can be switched on/off more readily
• lower emissions of carbon dioxide

Question 2

give four examples of renewable energy resources.

Answer 2

1. wind energy
2. hydro-electricity
3. tidal energy
4. solar energy

Question 2

state two disadvantges of using renewable energy resources to generate power.

Answer 2

• output often determines by external factors (like wind speed), so supply is uncertain
• generating power through other means is often more efficient and economically beneficial

Question 3

state three disadvantages of nuclear power.

Answer 3

1. produces nuclear waste which is harmful to humans & must be safely stored for centuries.
2. non-renewable energy sources
3. risk of nuclear accidents, which have fatal consequences on humans and the environment

Question 3

give an example of a non-renewable energy resource.

Answer 3

fossil fuels (for example coal, oil and gas).

Question 4

explain the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels.

Answer 4

• carbon dioxide contributes to the greenhouse effect, and causes golobal warming
• sulphur dioxide leads to acid rain, which can damage buildings and crops

Question 4

state three advantages of fossil fuels as an energy resource.

Answer 4

1. reliable: not dependent on external factors so can generate power anytime
2. can produce large amounts of energy for a given quantity
3. still relatively abundant, so cost-effective

Question 4

state three advantages of nuclear power.

Answer 4

1. very large amounts of energy for relatively small quantities of fuel
2. doesn’t release greenhouse gases and so doesn’t contribute to climate change
3. lower fuel costs

Question 5

how does hydroelectric power produce energy?

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

what are some disadvantages of using biofuels?

Answer 6

• when plants are burned or decay they release CO2
• in order to grow biolfuels, you need to destroy land which leads to problems because:
  
  • the land couild have been natural habitats
  • destroying land may involve burning plants growing on it, which would release CO2
• growing biofuels reduces the land available for growing food

Question 7

what are the advantages of tidal energy sources?

Answer 7

• they do not produce greenhouse gases
• they are quite reliable, as tides happen twice a day
• they are cheap to run as tides are natural, and so are free

Question 8

what are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power?

Answer 8

• the dam may cause flooding
• it can cost a lot to install the requires infrastructure

Question 9

what are some advantages of solar panels?

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

give an example of a social factor which may act as a deterrent for certain types of energy production.

Answer 10

• visual pollution
• sound pollution
  (both of these are disadvantages of wind farms)