P3: Energy resources and energy demands

• Renewable resource


  A resource that can be replenished as quickly as it is used

  
• Non-renewable resource


  A resource that can't be replenished as quickly as it is used

  
• Carbon neutral


  When the amount of CO2 released is the same as the CO2 absorbed (by plants)

  
• Solar energy


  How it works:

  -Protons from sunlight collide with semiconductors (on solar panels). Each panel has a negative and positive layer making an electric field, so they work similar to a battery

  
  

  Transfers taking place:

  -Light energy to electric energy

  
  

  Advantages:

  -No emissions

  -Quiet

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  -Doesn't produce a lot of electricity

  -Only works during the day

  
• Wind power


  How it works:

  -The shape of the turbine's blades cause air pressure to be uneven, so they spin around. The blades are attached to a rotor shaft, which spins gears and increases rotation so it can generate electricity

  
  

  Transfers taking place:

  Kinetic energy to electrical energy

  
  

  Advantages:

  -Can be on land or sea

  -Can provide a lot of electricity

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  -Takes up a lot of space

  -Only works when there is a lot of wind

  
• Hydopower


  How it works:

  -Water movement is converted to energy. One way to do this is by storing water in a reservoir and then releasing it through a turbine

  
  

  Transfers taking place:

  -Kinetic energy to electrical energy

  
  

  Advantages:

  -Can recycle water

  -Affordable

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  -Could disrupt wildlife

  
• Biofuels


  How it works:

  -Biomass solids are broken down into biofuels by using enzymes, yeast or extreme heat

  
  

  Transfers taking place:

  -Chemical energy to thermal energy

  
  

  Advantages:

  -Reduces waste products from animals being wasted

  -Renewable

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  -Might release greenhouse gases when burned

  
• Geothermal heat pumps


  How it works:

  -A loop of pipes are buried underground and filled with water, The water then circulates and absorbs heat from the Earth. It is then brought to a heat pump and to the home. It releases energy and does the opposite in the summer

  
  

  Transfers taking place:

  -Geothermal energy to Thermal energy

  
  

  Advantages:

  -Doesn't cost a lot

  -Works well during all seasons

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  -May not work well everywhere

  
• Tidal power


  How it works:

  -Usually uses tidal motions to spin a turbine connected to a generator; A form of hydropower

  
  

  Transfers taking place:

  -Kinetic energy to Electrical energy

  
  

  Advantages:

  -Predictable

  -East to install

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  -Consumption patterns might not match tidal patterns

  -Doesn't generate a lot of power

  
• Solar thermal


  How it works:

  -Passive systems: Enhance ability to capture sun-rays (e.g. greenhouses)

  -Active systems: Mechanical components circulate heat (e.g: mirrors)

  
  

  Transfers taking place:

  -Solar energy to thermal energy

  
  

  Advantages:

  -Renewable

  -Low maintenance

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  -Doesn't produce a lot of energy

  -Usually in deserts

  
• Geothermal energy


  How it works:

  -Heat from the Earth's crust warms the water in underground reservoirs and the hot water breaks through the surface as steam/water. A common way to change this to electricity is to pass the steam through a turbine

  
  

  Transfers taking place:

  -Thermal energy to electrical energy

  
  

  Advantages:

  -Low CO2 emissions

  -Minimal environmental impact

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  -Takes up a lot of space

  -Expensive

  
• Gas power stations


  Advantages:

  -Doesn't cause acid rain

  -Less CO2 and soot released

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  -More difficult to obtain

  -Needs refining

  
• Coal power stations


  Advantages:

  -Easy to obtain

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  -Releases Sulfur dioxide (causes acid rain)

  -More CO2 and soot is released