1B4 Energy Production Flashcards
Define:
conservation of energy
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be transferred or transformed.
This principle applies to all physical processes.
What is energy recycling?
Reusing energy that would otherwise be wasted.
It improves energy efficiency and reduces waste. For example, installing a heat recovery unit on an air conditioner will capture the excess heat generating during the cooling process. This heat then can be later reused to heat water heaters, or keep a comfortable temperature as it cools down.
How does energy conservation benefit the economy?
- Reduces energy costs.
- Improves resource efficiency.
Energy conservation also lowers dependence on imported fuels.
List two ways of conserving energy at home.
- Using energy-efficient appliances.
- Turning off lights when not in use.
Simple actions can significantly reduce energy consumption.
What are the two categories of power sources based on renewability?
- Renewable sources
- Non-renewable sources
Renewable sources can be replenished, while non-renewable sources cannot be replenished.
How is electricity generated in most power sources?
A turbine-generator set converts mechanical energy to electrical energy.
Examples of turbine-generator sets include steam turbines, combustion turbines, nuclear power plants, wind turbines, or hydropower.
What is renewable energy?
Energy from resources that restore themselves over short periods of time and do not diminish.
Examples include solar energy and wind energy.
What percentage of global electrical power currently comes from non-renewable sources?
Approximately 75%
Only about 25% of electrical power comes from clean, renewable energy.
List three examples of renewable energy sources.
- Solar energy
- Wind energy
- Geothermal energy
Each uses a natural resource to generate electricity.
Other examples include hydropower and bioenergy.
What is the role of energy storage in renewable energy systems?
To store excess energy for use when generation is low.
Batteries and other storage systems balance supply and demand.
List three examples of nonrenewable energy resources.
- Coal
- Nuclear energy
- Natural gas
Nonrenewable resources are limited and cannot be replaced once used.
What is the primary challenge associated with solar energy?
Solar power is intermittent.
it is only available during the day and is affected by weather. Photovoltaic panels are also expensive to manufacture.
List three pros of using solar energy.
- Renewable
- Low operating costs
- No greenhouse gas emissions
Solar energy is abundant and eco-friendly.
What is a key characteristic of solar power generation?
It does not use a turbine.
When the sun shines onto a solar panel, energy from the sunlight is absorbed by photovoltaic cells in the panel.
This energy creates electrical charges that move in response to an internal electrical field in the cell, causing electricity to flow.
How does solar energy reduce carbon emissions?
It produces electricity without burning fossil fuels, thereby avoiding CO₂ emissions.
Solar power is a clean, renewable energy source.
How does solar energy impact land use?
Large solar farms require significant land, potentially affecting ecosystems.
Rooftop solar reduces the need for additional land.
How do modern geothermal power plants generate electricity?
By pumping hot water from underground to create steam that turns turbines.
What percentage of the world’s electricity generation comes from geothermal energy?
Less than 1%.
True or False:
Geothermal energy is location-dependent.
True
Geothermal plants need to be near geothermal reservoirs or tectonic plate boundaries in order to be effective. Top areas include Iceland, El Salvador, and New Zealand.
What is hydropower primarily used for?
To generate electricity through dams using water pressure.
Hydropower accounts for about 16% of the world’s electricity generation.
List three challenges associated with hydropower.
- Limited suitable rivers for dam construction
- Disruption to ecosystems
- High construction costs
Dams like the Hoover Dam have a life expectancy of about 50-100 years.
Which form of energy is derived from organic matter?
Bioenergy
Bioenergy involves obtaining energy from biomass, which are organic animal or plant materials. Examples include ethanol (derived from corn) or burning wood.
List three sources of bioenergy.
- Agricultural crops
- Wood
- Animal waste
Bioenergy is renewable and can help manage organic waste.
List two pros of bioenergy.
- Produce less pollution
- Abundant
Biofuels can be replenished within a growing year.
List two cons of bioenergy.
- Production pollution
- Costly
The process of converting biotic waste into fuel releases gases such as methane into the atmosphere.
List the five most commonly used renewable energy sources in order of usage.
- Hydropower
- Wind energy
- Solar energy
- Bioenergy
- Geothermal energy
This ranking is based on their usage in electricity generation.
What percentage of electricity in the U.S. is generated from fossil fuels?
80%
Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas.
What are the primary sources of fossil fuels?
Remains of ancient living organisms.
The process involves intense heat and pressure to transform very old organic matter into fossil fuels.
List three pros of using fossil fuels.
- Extremely efficient
- Useful byproducts
- Relatively abundant and reliable
Fossil fuels have significant stored energy and create jobs in extraction and refining.
What is the main drawback of using fossil fuels for power generation?
They release greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change.
Burning coal, oil, and gas produces CO₂ emissions.
How does wind power generate electricity?
Wind turns turbine blades, which spin a generator to produce electricity.
Wind energy is clean and renewable.
Fill in the blank:
Wind turbines convert _______ energy into electricity.
kinetic
What is a major pro of wind power?
It is a renewable resource and carbon neutral.
Wind energy is harnessed from the movement of air and does not require burning any fuel.
What is a major con of wind power?
It is unreliable when there is no wind.
How does nuclear power generate electricity?
By using nuclear fission to release energy, which heats water to produce steam that drives turbines.
Nuclear power is efficient but produces radioactive waste.
List two pros of nuclear power.
- Low pollution
- Very efficient
Nuclear power does not emit harmful gases during energy generation.
What is the primary fuel source for nuclear power?
Uranium
Uranium undergoes nuclear fission to release energy.
List two disadvantages of nuclear power.
- Produces radioactive waste.
- High costs of plant construction and decommissioning.
Safety and waste management are critical concerns.
