Energy Generation and Storage

• Fossil fuels are a finite resource, meaning that they cannot be replaced once extracted from the ground. In early 2018, the UK's dependence on fossil fuels was at a low of 77 per cent.
• Coal


  Use of coal for electricity generation in the UK has fallen since 2012. This energy is created through the burning of coal, which is usually crushed first. The hot coal heats water, turning it into steam. The steam builds up to a very high pressure and this is used to spin a turbine. The turbine is connected to an electrical generator, which creates electricity.
• Natural gas


  In 2017, natural gas accounted for over 30 per cent of the UK's energy production. It is used for heating and cooking and is one of the main sources of powers for electricity production in the UK.
• Oil


  Very little of the UK’s electricity comes from oil as it is mainly used for fuel or is turned into plastics. However, a very small amount is burned to heat water, creating steam, to generate electricity.
• Advantages of coal


  Enough coal on Earth to last hundreds of years

  Produces high amounts of energy
• Disadvantages of coal


  Produces carbon dioxide when burned, contributing to global warmingDamage is caused to natural land when mining takes place
• Advantages of natural gas


  It emits less carbon dioxide than coal or oil

  The UK has shale gas deposits
• Disadvantages of natural gas


  Gas is highly flammable - if there is a gas leak, an explosion can easily happen

  Extracting gas might cause the pollution of water
• Advantages of oil


  A small amount of oil can produce a lot of energy

  It is relatively easy to store and transport
• Disadvantages of oil


  Creates significant air pollution when burned

  Considerable impact on water, land use and disposal
• In 2018, nuclear energy generated around one fifth of the country's electricity. A huge amount of energy can be produced through the nuclear process using a relatively small amount of uranium.
• Atoms are split, and this energy is used to convert water into super-heated steam. This spins turbines connected to electrical generators to produce electricity.
• Advantages of nuclear


  No harmful gases are released in the process

  More efficient than fossil fuels
• Disadvantages of nuclear


  Nuclear power stations have to close after around 40 years of use when the uranium becomes less efficient at heating the water

  Disposal of uranium is difficult and costly

  Cost of nuclear power stations is very large
• Renewable energy


  In 2018 around a third of the UK's electricity was generated by renewable energy sources. They are a non-finite resource as they harness the Earth’s natural resources.
• Types of Renewable energy:

  • wind (Turbines)
  • solar (Sun)
  • tidal (Water - Oceans)
  • hydroelectric (Water - Dams)
  • biomass (Organic materials)
• Advantages of wind


  There is no cost for wind and the running cost of a wind turbine is relatively low

  Wind energy is constantly available and sustainable
• Disadvantages of wind


  When there are periods of low wind, little or no energy is produced

  They cost a lot to build and put in place

  Some people do not like the look of wind turbines or feel that they spoil the natural landscape
• Advantages of solar


  Clean, renewable energy source

  Reduces household energy bills
• Disadvantages of solar


  Some people do not like the look of solar panels or feel that they spoil the appearance of a building

  Costs a lot to install

  Does not produce much electricity when there is considerable cloud cover, during the winter months or at night
• Advantages of tidal


  Clean, renewable energy source

  Tidal power plants will last for a long time

  Could produce a fifth of the UK’s needs as it is an island surrounded by the sea
• Disadvantages of tidal


  Construction of tidal barrages is expensive

  Environmental impact of tidal barrages is unknown
• Advantages of hydroelectricity


  Clean, renewable energy source

  Valves can be opened very quickly to produce energy at peak times

  No pollution when running it
• Disadvantages of hydroelectricity


  Construction of dams is expensive

  Objections from people in the surrounding environment

  Affects the wildlife by flooding the valley
• Advantages of biomass


  Clean, renewable energy source

  Carbon dioxide is released in the process and can be reused by plants

  Replacement plants can be grown very quickly to ensure a good supply
• Disadvantages of biomass


  Creates atmospheric pollution when burned

  Land used for energy crops may be needed for other purposes such as agriculture
• Batteries


  The two main types of batteries that are commonly used are single-use and rechargeable.
• Single-use batteries


  Sometimes called primary types, they are commonly alkaline batteries, and these are readily available in supermarkets and shops.
• All batteries are available in a range of sizes and shapes - tiny batteries known as button-cell batteries power calculators and hearing aids, while very large batteries power cars and trucks.
• Rechargeable batteries:

  • are more expensive to purchase than single-use batteries
  • can be recharged
  • are more economical in the long term
  • have a limited lifespan
• Batteries can be recycled to prevent them ending up in landfill sites. Batteries contain harmful chemicals and metals that are bad for the environment if disposed of incorrectly; these elements can contaminate the ground or poison the wildlife that may eat them.
• Kinetic-pumped storage systems


  A kinetic-pumped storage system is a fast-acting electrical energy storage system to top up the National Grid power supply at peak times when more electricity is needed. A kinetic-pumped storage system works by having two reservoirs and a hydroelectric dam system.
• Fill in the blanks about Kinetic Pumped Storage Systems:

  A) Generator

  B) Pump turbine

  C) Inlet valve

  D) generating

  E) day

  F) pumped

  G) night

  H) (uses electricity)