Different Ways to Generate Electricity Nuclear Energy, Wind
Energy and Tidal Energy
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Nuclear Power Plant A nuclear power station captures the energy
released when atoms are split within a nuclear reactor. This energy
is used to heat water. This water boils to steam. The steam is
directed to spin turbines. The turbines are connected to the
generators by a generator shaft so as they spin the generators
create electricity. The steam is then condensed back into water.
The nuclear reaction can be controlled by raising or lowering the
control rods in the reactor.
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Diagram of Fission (Splitting Atoms)
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Nuclear Power Plants Pros Cons Radioactive particles from the
plants are useful in technology and medicine. Uranium is cheap. Low
air pollution. Can be run anywhere uranium can be supplied. Perhaps
only 100 years of uranium available. Expensive to run. Plants last
only about 50 years before having to be dismantled. The waste is
highly radioactive.
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Wind Power - As wind blows against the blades it causes them to
lift and rotate. - The rotating blades are attached to the
generator by a generator shaft. - The generator creates electricity
as it spins.
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Wind Turbines Pros Cons No pollution. Wind is free and
renewable. Easy to construct and set up. Wind speed is variable.
Turbines break down. Birds can be harmed. Electricity is relatively
expensive to generate when compared to other systems.
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Tidal Energy
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Using tidal flows for energy is not a new idea but using it to
generate massive amounts of electricity is relatively new. There is
no one universal design in use as many different organizations are
working to create new and efficient methods for using tidal energy.
The basic concept for most designs is to use the moving tides to
spin turbines that have been placed in the water. Like the Wind
Power, these spinning turbines can have their rotational energy
transferred to generators. These generators would then create the
electricity. Since the Bay of Fundy has the worlds largest tides
this form of energy could be important to NS in the future.
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Tidal Energy Pros Cons Constant energy source Low to no
pollution Inexpensive operating costs Renewable High initial costs
Devices can be broken by ocean currents, storms, etc. Marine life
might be affected
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Power Grids Basics of How They Work These stations increase the
voltage to reduce energy loss during transmission.