generation of electricity and energy sources
fossil fuels: they are burned in power stations to heat water and produce steam.
advantages:
- electricity is reliable because they can be burned day or night and they aren't
hindered by weather patterns
- easy to transport and store
- high levels of energy
- provide jobs and valuable income
disadvantages:
- finite non-renewable resources
- their transport is expensive and pollution
- they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
- their mining is noisy, dangerous and cause environmental impacts
nuclear power: uses uranium and plutonium to create fission reactions. Those release
energy in the form of radiation and heat. Then, water is heated to produce steam.
advantages:
- doesn’t depend on fossil fuels
- the carbon dioxide emissions are limited
- uses fewer raw materials
- provides jobs
disadvantages:
- stations are expensive to build
- no current solution to toxic radioactive waste.
- mining, refining and transporting cause environmental impacts
hydroelectric power: fast-running water turns the turbines that drive the generator and
produce electricity. There are 2 types: run of river and dams.
advantages:
- renewable resource
- no pollution or greenhouse gases
- water can be stored to be used when demand is high
- schemes are long lasting
disadvantages:
- dams flood large areas causing social impacts
- dams are expensive to build and maintain
- dams and run of river disrupt river environments and natural processes
biofuels: biogas and biomass can be burned in power stations to heat water and produce
steam.
biomass: made from wood
biogas: made from decomposed organic matter, plant or sewage waste
bioethanol: plant matter that is fermented to produce a petrol substitute
advantages:
- cheap and renewable
- power stations that burn fossil fuels can be easily converted to burn biofuels
- crops absorb carbon dioxide
disadvantages:
- burning biofuels releases carbon dioxide
- using biogas on a large scale is difficult because collecting the gas is inefficient
- takes land away from food production
geothermal energy: holes are drilled deep into the ground to pump high-pressure heated
water up to the surface and it is converted into steam.
advantages:
- renewable, reduces reliance on fossil fuels
- low carbon, helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
- very low running cost = cheaper electricity
disadvantages:
- drilling operations are disruptive
- not everywhere is suitable
- high installation costs
wind power: wind turbines are used to make electricity. wind turn the blades, which spin a
shaft that connects to a generator to produce electricity.
advantages:
- clean, renewable source
- wind turbines are cheap to operate
- zero emissions
- reduces reliance on fossil fuels
disadvantages:
- no wind = no power
- one unit of electricity costs more than from fossil fuels
- windiest places are remote so maintenance is challenging
solar power: solar panels and absorb sunlight and generate heat. This can be used for
heating water or indirectly for making electricity.
Concentrated solar power uses parabolic mirrors to focus solar energy at the top of a tower
filled with fluid. The fluid is heated to produce steam which turns a turbine to make electricity.
advantages:
- easy to maintain
- silent in operation and can be small scales
- renewable, clean source, no air pollution
disadvantages:
- initial set-up cost is high
- can be hard to store
- cannot produce electricity as quickly or as cheaper as fossil fuels
tidal power: harnessing the incoming and outgoing tide.
tidal stream: turbines harness the tide as it moves past
tidal range: traps the high tide and released it to generate electricity
wave power: harnessing the movement of the waves
nearshore wave: as the waves break
offshore wave: movement in deeper water
advantages:
- clean and renewable
- create jobs in environmentally friendly industries
- reduce carbon emissions
disadvantages:
- fewer suitable locations for tidal power
- disrupt marine life
- tidal energy is difficult to transport
- wave energy can be intermittent
- nearshore farms have a visual impact on the coast
