The Generation Gap

1. The Generation Gap Renewable Energy Challenge Hosted by Young Engineers and Science Clubs Scotland

2. The Generation Gap • Imagine you are setting up a new Renewable Energy company • You want to be part of a government backed initiative to use natural resources to generate electricity • Your aim is to base your production on a small island, not far offshore, to supply power primarily to the islanders and additionally to the National Grid.

3. Companylogo Why Choose us? Points to consider Place map here The Generation Gap • Information about different types of Renewable Energy production and the Geography of the island is provided • Working as a team, your task is to prepare a ‘presentation box’ showing how you plan to produce electricity on the island.

4. Companylogo Why Choose us? Points to consider Place map here You will need a company name and logo Identify the advantages of your chosen generators Suggest how you might overcome any disadvantages Clearly label the outside of the box lid to show your team members and school before submitting it to the judges

5. The Generation Gap Make ‘flag’ markers to show on the map where you plan to put the generators Outline the area taken up by each type of generator Calculate the power output expected from your system and enter the totals in the chart provided.

6. About the Island Rainfall averages 5cm per month Energy target 3000MW The seas at the North coast of the island are very shallow Sunshine is very good : average temperature is 180C Seas to the south of the island have vast oil deposits Wind is constant Tides: Strong powerful currents experienced on the South of the island Most of the inhabitants on the island are farmers The river cuts through deep wide valleys as it makes its way to the sea in the West There are coal deposits to the North East of the island There is one forest in the South East, which has been turned into a bird reserve, and feeding grounds There are sheltered harbours and very rich fishing grounds in the South

7. The Generation Gap Power Station Options Type Output (MW) No. units per Km2 Solar 1 50 Wind 2.5 10 Wave 250 1 Tidal 250 1 Hydroelectric 250 1 Bio-energy n/a Geothermal n/a Oil 750 2 Gas 750 3 Wood/Peat 250 1

8. The Generation Gap : Pros and cons Solar • Solar energy is free • A solar power station does not work at night • It is expensive to build solar power stations • Lots of solar cells are needed to produce the same amount of electricity as fossil fuels • Solar energy produces no waste or pollution • Solar power stations are unreliable unless you live in a sunny place • Enough energy reaches earth from the sun, every minute, to meet our demands for a whole year.

9. The Generation Gap : Pros and cons Wind • Wind turbines are noisy • The land beneath a wind farm can still be used for farming • Wind farms produce no waste or gases • Wind farms can affect television reception nearby • Lots of wind turbines are needed to produce the same amount of electricity as fossil fuels • Wind farms can be tourist attractions • Wind is free, no need to buy fuel • Wind farms are best next to the coast. Buying land at the coast is expensive • Wind turbines can spoil the scenery

10. The Generation Gap : Pros and cons Wave • Waves are a source of renewable energy • Some designs of wave turbine are noisy • You need a suitable site where the waves are strong • The wave turbine produces no pollution • A wave turbine has to be anchored to the sea bed to withstand the roughest seas • Wave turbines can ruin the scenery • Wave turbines do not produce a lot of electricity compared to fossil fuels

11. The Generation Gap : Pros and cons • (ii)Offshore Turbines • They are like underwater wind farms • They are much easier to build • They don’t affect the environment in the way a tidal barrage would • There are many more suitable sites Tidal (i)Barrages • They don’t need fuel • There are very few suitable sites • They are very reliable • They only produce electricity about 10 hours a day, when the tide is moving in or out • They produce no pollution or other waste • Very expensive to build • Once the dam or barrage is built, the energy is free • They can affect the environment over a large area – feeding birds, marine life.

12. The Generation Gap : Pros and cons Hydroelectric • Hydroelectric energy is clean and produces no pollution • Dams are very expensive to build • Once the dam is built, the energy is virtually free • Water can be stored above the dam ready to cope with peak demands • Finding a suitable site is difficult • Building a large dam can flood a large area causing problems for animals and people • It doesn’t produce a lot of electricity when compared with fossil fuels

13. The Generation Gap : Pros and cons • Fossil fuels • They were made millions of years ago and are NON Renewable • Coal can be easily transported to power stations • Oil and gas can be piped to the power station • Burning coal causes acid rain • Mining can destroy the landscape • Transporting oil on ships can cause sea pollution • Burning fossil fuels produce gases which cause the ‘Greenhouse Effect’ • Very large amounts of energy are produced by burning fossil fuels

14. The Generation Gap Power Calculation Total

15. The Generation Gap School………………………………………. Team Members …………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Staff escort .………………………………