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KS4 Energy - Renewable Energy

© Boardworks Ltd 2003

Energy resources

Renewable SourceSun

Sun

Sun

Moon

Wind

Solar

Wave

Tidal

Hydroelectric

Biomass

Geothermal

Sun

Sun

Stored heat energy in the Earth

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Mind map

windwave

solar

hydroelectricbiomass

tidal

geothermal

nuclear

fossil fuels

Stored heat energy in the Earth

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Solar energy

Solar cells are expensive/cheap to make. Even though they only provide energy at low power / high power, sometimes they are the best solution to providing energy. Satellites in space use solar cells as a source of energy.

Solar power stations can use concave/convex mirrors to focus energy on a boiler. This produces the steam to turn a turbine, which in turn drives a generator and then produces electricity.

Solar cells contain toxic/harmless chemicals that if ‘dumped’ can poison habitats.

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Solar power

Advantages DisadvantagesUnreliable – why?

Few areas suitable

Low power energy source

Toxic chemicals in solar cells can

damage habitats

Renewable

No acid rain

No global warming

Cheap to run once built

Expensive to build

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Wind

Unlike fossil fuels and solar energy, there is no need for a b____ in a wind turbine. The wind turns the turbine d_____ - no s____ is required.

Wind energy is very l so you need many wind turbines to meet the same energy requirements as a fuel-burning power station.

You need to find an a large a___ of land, away from settlements because of the n___, and it obviously has to be w___!

oilerirectly team

ow power

reaoise

indy

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Wind power

Advantages DisadvantagesUnreliable

Few areas suitable

Low power energy source

Noisy and unsightly

Renewable

No acid rain

No global warming

Cheap to run once built

Expensive to build

Large area required

Kills migratory birds

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Wave

The S__ produces the w___ and the wind causes w____. Waves can be used to turn t_______ directly and generate electricity.

Wave energy is r________. No air pollution is produced such as sulphur dioxide or nitrogen oxides that cause acid rain. It is also cheap to run once built.

The problems are that it is expensive to set up. There are few areas suitable, it can kill flora and fauna and the energy you get is very l .

un indaves

urbines

enewable

ow power

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Tidal

The M___ causes the t____. This causes the level of the sea to rise and fall. This movement of the sea can be used to turn turbines directly and generate e________.

Tidal energy is r________ and non-polluting. It is cheap to run once built.

oon ides

lectricity

enewable

The problems are that it is to set up. There are few areas suitable, it can kill flora and fauna and the energy you get is very l . ow power

expensive

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Biomass

This is where you burn organic/inorganic matter, be it plant or animal. The reason it is classed as renewable/non-renewable is that you can reproduce this matter relatively quickly. For example, you can just grow some more plants.

However you do require a large area/small area of land.

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Geothermal

Cold water pumped

down

Warm water comes back up

and used to turn turbines

Water heated by hot rocks

Advantages?

Disadvantages?

Renewable

No acid rain or greenhouse effect

Cheap once built

Few areas suitable

Expensive to build

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Hydroelectricity

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Hydroelectricity

Advantages DisadvantagesDestroys habitats

Few areas suitable

Unsightly

Renewable

No acid rain

No global warming

Cheap to run once built Expensive to build

Large area requiredSome systems pump water back up at night with the surplus electricity – energy efficient.

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What is the energy source for tidal energy?

A. The Sun

B. A supernova

C. The Moon

D. Radioactive rocks

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What is the energy change for falling water?

A. Kinetic gravitational

B. Gravitational kinetic

C. Kinetic electrical

D. Heat Kinetic

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Which of the following is not renewable?

A. Wind

B. Biomass

C. Nuclear

D. Hydroelectric

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What is an environmental problem associated with hydroelectricity?

A. Acid rain

B. Greenhouse effect

C. Destroys habitats

D. Radioactive waste