Energy resources
Cards (11)
- Renewable and non-renewable resources are used for: transport , heating and electricity generation.
- Renewable energy can be replenished as they are being used and will never run out
- Non-renewable energy resources cannot be replaced and will eventually run out
- Biomass:
- taken from living or recently living organisms including methane gas from animal waste and sewage
- Used for fuels such as methanol in transport and as fuel in power stations
- It is carbon neutral as the carbon dioxide that was burnt is the same amount the animal took in whilst living.
- Wind turbines:
- Wind turbines transfer the kinetic energy of the wind to electrical power by turning a generator
- If it is not windy or there is to much wind it wont work
- Hydroelectricity :
- Water is stored in a reservoir and is used to generate electricity when it flows downhill though a generator
- Generally reliable but will not be used if the reservoir runs out of water
- Geothermal energy :
- thermal energy is released from radioactive decay within the earth heats surrounding rocks
- Water is pumped down to be heated by the rocks resulting in hot water or steam to heat homes or generate electricity
- It is reliable due to constant heat supply
- Tidal power:
- As waves move up and down air is forced through turbines generating electricity
- Produces no pollution
- Disturbs habitats of sea animals
- Spoils peoples views
- Unreliable - Is it reliable?
- Solar power:
- Solar panels use radiation from the sun to heat water for use in homes or to generate electricity
- Produces no pollution
- Reliable - Is it reliable?
- Fossil fuels:
- fossil fuels are burned in power stations to heat water which becomes steam and turns turbines to generate electricity
- Produces CO2 - contributes to climate change
- Reliable - Is it reliable ?
- Nuclear power
- Uranium releases energy from the fission of its nuclei
- Produces electricity quickly
- Produces lots of radioactive waste - which could cause disaster