Energy Resources Flashcards
(21 cards)
What sources are used to make electricity in uk?
Non-Renewable: Coal, Gas, Nuclear, Oil
Renewable: Wind, Sun, hydroelectric
What is the baseload?
Minimum amount of demand (mw) required on a given day, week, month etc.
What is peak load?
When there is High demand (MV)
What is energy consumption?
Energy powers buildings, industries
and transport systems. This is often
electricity but can also be fuels like wood and petroleum
Why is per capita a good measure of energy use?
Measures average energy consumption per person
How does electricity reach homes in the UK?
Electricity is produced when turbines are turned (coal and oil, or wind and waves), converting kinetic energy into an electric current (voltage which is electricity).
Transformers carry the current to national grid, which then goes to a sub-station and then to home via meter box.
What 2 types of energy is produced to produce electricity
Kinetic energy (turbines)
Electrical energy
Mechanical energy (generators)
Light energy
Which energy sources does not need kinetic energy to produce electricity?
Solar energy uses photovoltaic cells (in the solar panels) converting light energy into electrical energy
What are renewable energy sources?
wind, solar, tidal/hydro electric, biofuel, geothermal
What are non-renewable energy resources?
Cannot be replaced e.g. fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) and Nuclear Power
What is the main disadvantages of using fossil fuel?
GHG green house gases (burning fossil fuels creates heat but releases co2)
Dependent on prices set by other countries
What is sustainable energy?
Energy sources that meet current needs without impact the future generation’s needs e.g. wind, solar
What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources?
Renewable: natural process that replenish over time (sun, wind, hyrdo)
Non-renewable: finite resources (coal, oil, natural gas) and nuclear power(From uranium)
Describe how hydroelectric power (HEP) generates electricity and advantages/disadvantages?
Uses kinetic energy of strong flowing water (e.g. narrow estuary) . Water flows, turning turbines (kinetic) activate generators, (mechanical energy) into electrical energy
Advantages: no CO2, dams reduce floods, reliable and water shortages
Disadvantages: cost to build; could cause floods, impact on fish, limited locations,
Describe how BIOFUEL generates electricity and advantages/disadvantages?
- Combustion: solid fuel .e.g wood is burned in biomass power plants to heat water
- Organic waste is broken down by bacteria releasing biogas. Biogas is burned in turbines or engines generating electricity
- Liquid biofuel e.g. ethanol can power generators
advantages: renewable, sustainable, low co2, low waste reduction
disadvantages: requires land; high water usage; low energy output; co2 due to transportation; high production costs
Describe how nuclear power generates electricity and advantages/disadvantages?
Uses uranium - nuclear fission releases heat - heats up water - steam - generator - electricity
advantages:
Small amounts produce lots of energy; cheap; carbon emissions low; low cost to maintain
disadvantages:
highly dangerous; expensive to build; non-renewable
Describe how wind power generates electricity and advantages/disadvantages?
Uses kinetic energy from wind to turn turbines - generator - electricity
advantages: no C02; land underneath can be used for other things, reliable, efficient,
disadvantages: reliant on wind; spoil view, expensive to build, noisy, animals can be killed
Describe how solar power generates electricity and advantages/disadvantages?
Light energy released from photovoltaic cells in the solar panels
advantages: no CO2; solar panels on houses
disadvantages: expensive; panels require fossil fuels; regular maintenance; habitats can be damaged
Describe how fossil fuel power generates electricity and advantages/disadvantages?
Burn to boil water, steam rises past turbines (kinetic energy) to spin, this turns generators which generates electricity
Advantage: available, cheap, transportable, reliable
Disadvantage: pollution eg. nitrogen oxide (Acide rain), run out, increasing fuel cost
Describe how wave/tidal power generates electricity and advantages/disadvantages?
Waves are created by wind transferring kinetic energy which is captured and air is pushed through turbines
Tidal energy is captured underwater tidal stream turbines or dams are built across estuaries to trap water and release it through turbines
advantages: renewable, predictable, no co2, equipment long lifespan
disadvantage: high initial costs, limited locations, impact marine ecosystem: intermittent energy; maintenance is challenging
Describe how geothermal converts into electricity and advantages/disadvantages?
Geothermal power plants are built where there are underground reservoirs of water around fault lines in the Earth’s tectonic plates.
The gaps between the plates allow magma to heat up the water. This produces steam, turbines, generator, electricity
Advantage: renewable, no fuel costs
disadvantage: most areas not suitable
