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Renewable Energy. Does the UK need alternative energy supplies?. energy sources (UK 2003). Renewable energy sources. These will not run out because they can be regenerated. Examples are wind power, solar power, tidal power and biomass. Charcoal - a fuel produced from wood (biomass).
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Does the UK need alternative energy supplies? energy sources (UK 2003)
Renewable energy sources These will not run out because they can be regenerated. Examples are wind power, solar power, tidal power and biomass. Charcoal - a fuel produced from wood (biomass) Only 1% of the UK’s energy comes from these sources. Can you think of a reason why?
Solar energy Photovoltaic cells are made of the abundant element silicon. Photovoltaic cells have low maintenance costs. Photovoltaic cells are silent. Solar panels Why isn’t solar energy popular in the UK?
Wind energy - the disadvantages In theory, the UK could generate all its electricity from wind farms covering approximately 1% of the land. But the problems are wind turbine design and cost. Rotor blades can be damaged in strong and turbulent winds. It takes 30 wind farms to generate the same amount of electricity as one coal-fired power station. The setting up costs for wind farms are therefore more expensive than for traditional, fossil fuel power stations. Some people also consider the wind farms as visually unattractive and noisy. What are the advantages of wind energy?
Advantages of wind energy Wind farms create jobs in rural areas. Wind fuel is free. Wind farms can be constructed in a few months (thermal power stations take between 6–10 years to complete). cooling towers Wind power can be developed on a small scale.
Where should the new wind turbines be located? wind direction 3 town 1 2 It has been decided to locate new wind turbines in this area. Choose from the three sites indicated and justify your answer.
Hydroelectric power Hydroelectric electricity is the most popular type of renewable energy. In some countries, such as Brazil, it represents most of the energy produced. Hydroelectric energy is produced from fast flowing water, such as at a waterfall or by an artificial dam. Dam at Donzere, France
Tucurui Dam, Brazil – cost $5 billion Tucurui Dam was built between 1976 and 1984, on the Lower Tocantins River in the state of Para, approximately 300km south of Belem. The reservoir created upstream of the dam is over 2000km². Tucurui will produce more than 4000 MW of electricity.
Describe the dam’s impact on the landscape Road Tucurui Dam River Tocantins HEP plant flooded an area 5 times the size of the Isle of Wight Amazonian Indian village After Tucurui Dam Before Tucurui Dam
Hydroelectric power – impact of building dams silt is trapped behind the dam and is not transported downstream where it is needed for farmers and fishermen may decrease flooding downstream dams control the flow of water the water behind the dam is stagnant and algae builds up tourists may be attracted to the area building dams floods large areas These are some of the advantages and disadvantages of building a dam.
Tidal energy Energy is generated by the tidal rise and fall. The tides come in and pass through holes in a dam wall. The water is then trapped in a river estuary. Then the tide ebbs and passes back through the barrage, driving the turbines and producing electricity. Tidal energy is generated at La Rance in western France. A suitable site in Britain would be the River Severn. This barrage would cost between £3 billion and £9 billion and be able to generate between 5% and 10% of Britain’s total electricity demand.
Wave energy The island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland has had a Limpet (land-installed marine-powered energy transformer) constructed, which should provide a reliable electricity supply for the 3,400 residents. A 25-metre notch has been cut into Islay’s south west facing cliffs at Portnahaven into which a wave chamber has been inserted. The waves rise and fall in this wave chamber compressing the air and so driving the turbines which power the generators. turbo generator Why has the wave chamber been placed on the south west of the island? high tide low tide incoming waves
Geothermal energy Geothermal energy is obtained from heated rocks and molten magma under the Earth’s surface. geothermal plant Hot water Cold Water fractured rock
Geothermal energy is generated extensively in tectonic areas, such as Iceland and New Zealand. Why is this the case? Plate Map
located on the coast with a chamber facing the prevailing wind mirrors concentrate the sun’s rays onto water-filled black pipes water stored in dams is released through turbines to generate electricity powered by a man-made barrage, usually found across an estuary often located in exposed areas such as mountainous regions heat produced by rocks under the Earth’s surface Match the statement with the energy source located on the coast with a chamber facing the prevailing wind Wave often located in exposed areas such as mountainous regions Solar mirrors concentrate the sun’s rays onto water-filled black pipes HEP heat produced by rocks under the Earth’s surface Tidal powered by a man-made barrage, usually found across an estuary Wind Geothermal water stored in dams is released through turbines to generate electricity
