DTE - Energy generation and storage

What are fossil fuels?

a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.

What is fracking?

Drilling into layers of shale rock deep in the earth to release pockets of gas

What are examples of renewable energy sources?

-solar

-wind

-water waves

-hydro-electricity

-bio-fuel

-tides

-geothermal

How do photovoltaic cells work?

light hits the PV cells, which allows electrons to flow, creating an electric current

How does hydroelectric power work?

water behind dams floods through turbines, which turn generators

What are biofuels?

alternative renewable fuels made from plant materials. it is burned to generate power

What are the arguments for wind turbines?

-low maintenance

-clean energy

-higher winter output

-low cost energy

What are the arguments against wind turbines?

-only work when windy (unpredictable)

-eyesore to some

-hazard to birds

-noisy

Why is more energy used in the winter?

-because it is colder

-there is less light

How do fossil fuels generate electricity?

they are burned to create steam, which turns turbines and drives generators

What is hydraulic fracking?

Pumping water at high pressure to break rocks apart and release more gas

What are the two forms of energy?

kinetic and potential

What is energy?

the ability to do work

What are the types of potential energy?

-gravitational

-elastic

-chemical

-nuclear

What is potential energy?

energy that is stored in objects not in motion, that will move once released

What is an example of potential energy?

water behind a dam, pressure in a fire extinguisher

What is kinetic energy?

the energy an object has due to its motion

What are the types of kinetic energy?

-electrical

-light

-thermal

-motion

-sound

-movement

What is an example of kinetic energy?

heat radiating from a fire

What are the two ways energy is stored?

Mechanical and chemical

What are examples of how energy is mechanically stored?

-compression

-tension

-motion

What are examples of how energy is chemically stored?

-batteries

-gases

-solid fuel

-food

What are the advantages of using fossil fuels?

-They can produce large amounts of energy

-We can decide when to produce the energy

-We already have all the infrastructure

-It is a cheap and reliable source

What are the disadvantages of using fossil fuels?

-Causes air pollution: CO2 is released into the air when fossil fuels are burnt.

-The main cause of acid rain due to release of Sulphur dioxide

-Accidents such as oil spills contribute to pollution and environmental contamination

-Non-renewable and unsustainable source of energy.

What are the advantages of using nuclear power?

- It's an alternative (but still non-renewable) energy source to fossil fuels

- It can produce a lot of power from relatively little uranium

What are the disadvantages of using nuclear power?

-Low net energy

-High overall costs

-Produces long-lived, radioactive waste

-Promotes spread of nuclear weapons

-Mining of uranium

How does nuclear power work?

1. Reactor core with fuel rods heats water

2. Steam goes into turbine

3. Turbine operates electrical generator to produce electricity

4. Hot "cooling" water is cooled in tower

What are the advantages of using tidal power?

-renewable

-predictable

-clean energy source

What are the disadvantages of using tidal power?

-expensive to set up and maintain

- only works twice a day

How does tidal power work?

The mechanical energy associated with the rising and falling of water levels during the movement of the tides is converted to usable electrical energy.

What are the advantages of using solar panels?

-do not require any maintenance

-the last over long period of Time

-their running cost is almost 0

-they are suitable for remote, inaccessible and isolated places where electric power lines cannot be laid

-.do not cause pollution

What are the disadvantages of solar panels?

-The initial cost is high

-efficiency of conversion of solar energy to electricity is low

-DC electricity is produced which cannot be used directly

What are the advantages of using biomass energy?

-renewable

-carbon neutral

-Plentiful supply

What are the disadvantages of using biomass energy?

-risk of deforestation if trees are not replanted

What are the advantages of using hydroelectric power?

-renewable

-reliable

-doesn't pollute

-it can be regulated according to demand

What are the disadvantages of using hydroelectric power?

- cost of constructing the dam

- The local environment is affected

-natural irrigations and ecosystems may be affected

How do kinetic pumped storage systems work?

by pumping water from a lower reservoir to a higher reservoir

What are kinetic pumped storage systems?

a type of energy storage that uses two reservoirs at different elevations to store and release energy. they store excess electricity and release it when needed, helping to balance the electrical grid and meet peak demand

What are the advantages of alkaline batteries?

-they have a high energy capacity

-high energy density

-consistent performance

What are the disadvantages of alkaline batteries?

-Not Rechargeable

-Bulky Size

-Risk of Leakage

-Temperature Sensitivity

-alkaline batteries contribute to e-waste

What are the advantages of rechargeable batteries?

- no dangerous fuels required

- can produce a greater p.d

-more cost-effective in the long run

What are the disadvantages of rechargeable batteries?

-Higher Initial Cost

-need to buy a charging device

-Self-Discharge

-Reduced Performance Under Load