renewable energy Flashcards
(25 cards)
renewable energy meaning
-natural sources of energy
-can never be used up
-no fuel is needed to produce electricity
-carbon -free
Wind power
-wind turns a turbine which power a generator
-which is at the top of a narrow tower
-
Wind power generated increases as …
the wind speed increases
disadvantages of wind power
-Dependence on Wind:
Wind power generation is directly dependent on wind speed, making it unreliable when wind is scarce or inconsistent.
-Dependence on Wind:
Wind power generation is directly dependent on wind speed, making it unreliable when wind is scarce or inconsistent.
Noise Pollution:
Wind turbines can generate noise, which may be disruptive to nearby residents and impact wildlife.
advantages of wind power
Clean Energy:
Wind power produces no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution during operation, contributing to a cleaner environment.
Renewable Resource:
Wind is a continuous and abundant natural resource, ensuring a sustainable and reliable power supply.
Low Carbon Emissions:
Wind energy significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to fossil fuel-based power generation.
Wave power
-generator floats on the surface of the water
kinetic energy of waves rocks the generator
[] kinetic energy + rocking motion turns the electricity generator inside the device
-cable between the device and the shoreline delivers the electricity to the grid system
advantages of wave power
-Wave power is renewable since no fuel is needed.
-All that’s needed is wind and water.
-Wind and water are free, natural, and we have an infinite supply.
disadvantages of wave power
-Initial building costs are high and the process is difficult as turbines need to be built in high winds around giant waves.
-Building wave turbines can also have a damaging impact on local marine ecosystems.
-Turbines can obstruct shipping lanes.
-It is not a reliable source of energy since on a calm day there will be no wind nor waves.
Hydroelectric power
rainwater (collected in a reservoir) flows down a hill
- flowing water drives a turbine= electricity at the bottom of the hill
1)Some water from a river or stream is diverted through an intake weir.
2)Gravity causes the water to run downhill through underground pipes.
3)The water is piped through a turbine in a powerhouse.
4)The spinning turbine turns a generator that generates electricity.
5)The water flows from the turbine and through an outlet back into the river.
advantages of hydroelectric power
-There’s no pollution from waste products or
greenhouse gasses
- no fuel costs and it’s cheap to run once it’s set up.
-Plus, with dams, we can regulate the creation of electricity, only producing when we need to.
-Hydroelectric power stations that store water are very reliable and the amount of electricity produced can be easily altered to meet demand.
disadvantages of hydroelectric power
-There can also be environmental problems, too. When a valley is dammed, large areas of land are flooded which can have a negative impact on wildlife, habitats and local communities.
-You need the right type of geography – hilly with lots of water. So not a good idea in a flat desert.
-Dams can block fishes’ migration routes. They alter the flow of water downstream which may affect people and the environment down the rest of the river valley.
Tidal power
-tidal power station traps water from high tides behind a barrage, then released into the sea again through turbines
-these turbines turn an electricity generator
-sometimes in coastal areas, undercurrents of tides pass through turbines on the sea bed, which turn a generator
-underwater cables used to transfer this electricity to the national grid
advantages of tidal power
-Unlike solar and wind energy, tidal movements are reliably constant. Every day there are two high tides and two low tides that can be used to generate electricity.
-It’s also a renewable, sustainable source of energy. It needs no fuel and produces no by-products or pollution.
-Tidal turbines turn slowly and this minimises the harm they cause to marine animals passing through them.
disadvantages of tidal power
-Well, the technology is still at an early research stage and, worldwide, tidal power doesn’t generate much electricity yet.
-the cost of engineering and constructing machines to work on the seabed are high at the start of the project.
- because tidal turbines work best in narrow channels, the places they can be sites are limited.
solar radiation
transferred by the sun
- generates energy using solar cells
advanatages of solar radiation
Renewable and Abundant:
The sun is a virtually unlimited energy source that will not run out for billions of years.
Solar radiation is constantly replenished naturally.
Clean and Environmentally Friendly:
Solar energy generation produces little to no harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
It reduces reliance on fossil fuels and helps combat climate change.
Economic Benefits:
Installing solar panels can lead to significant savings on electricity bills.
Solar technology is becoming more affordable, making it accessible to a wider range of people.
disadvantages of solar radiation
-Short-term:
Sunburn is a common consequence of short-term overexposure to solar radiation.
-Geographic Limitations:
Solar energy generation is most effective in regions with high sunlight exposure.
-Limited Lifetime of Panels:
Solar panels have a limited lifespan and may need replacement after a certain period.
Where is solar energy best used?
-in places where small amounts are needed
-eg calculators
-or in remote places
Pros/ cons of solar power
-very expensive to buy
-cheap to run = pro
-lots of energy is needed to be useful
solar power tower pro
-no air pollution, water pollution or greenhouse gases typically created in the energy generation process.
–mirrors are controlled by the computer to track the sun = effective
solar power tower cons
-The Solar Power Tower system is currently the most expensive form of solar power.
-Its construction requires a vast area of land.
-Compared to Stirling systems, its efficiency is lesser.
geothermal energy meaning
comes from the energy released by radioactive substances
- deep within earth
How are solar panels used to generate electricity ?
solar CELL panel
[] absorb energy from sunlight and convert it to electrical energy
[] this can be stored in a battery or used directly
solar HEATING panel
[] absorb energy from sunlight and use it to directly heat water which can then be used in the household
-in solar power towers, large mirrors (controlled by a computer to track the sun throughout the day) reflect sunlight back at a big water tank at the top of the tower
[] water turned to steam
[] steam piped down to ground level to turn turbines which then turn an electricity generator
How is geothermal energy used to generate electricity
-The steam created from the heat of the water is drawn up to the surface.
-The kinetic energy from the steam turns turbines in the power plant.
-The generators then turn this energy into electricity.
-The cooling tower cools the steam and it becomes water again and then the water is piped back into the reservoir where the process can start again.
