Solar, HEP and wind energy | AQA A-Level Environmental Science Revision | Primrose Kitten

Renewables

Energy resources that re-form at a fast enough rate to never run out.

Solar Power

Energy form collected as heat/light, used for heating water tanks or converting to electricity.

Photothermal Solar Panels

Panels converting sunlight into heat energy, used for heating water tanks with 20-30% efficiency.

Passive Solar Architecture

Design maximizing sunlight absorption for heating, with features like orientation, thermal mass, and insulation.

Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Power

Panel absorbing photons to dislodge electrons, creating electrical current for devices.

Multi-junction PV Cells

Special panels with layers absorbing different light wavelengths, increasing absorption efficiency to almost 50%.

Anti-reflective Surfaces

Cells with textured surfaces to increase light absorption, reducing reflection.

Self-cleaning Panels

Panels with nano-hydrophobic particles repelling water and carrying dust/dirt away for maximized light absorption.

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP)

Setup using reflectors to focus light energy onto a central point, increasing energy density.

Heliostats

Solar panels attached to devices adjusting angles for optimal sunlight absorption, increasing efficiency.

Smelting

Process using fossil fuels to extract metals, emitting greenhouse gases

Silicone Tetrachloride

Toxic chemical released during solar panel construction

Land-use conflicts

Result from needing large areas for solar panels

Recycling infrastructure

Needed to prevent solar panels from ending up in landfills

Hydroelectric Power (HEP)

Energy from water passing through a turbine, stored in dams

Gravitational potential energy

Energy stored in uphill reservoirs in HEP

Kinetic energy

Energy harnessed from moving water in HEP

Locational constraints

Factors limiting suitable sites for HEP generation

Pump-storage HEP

System with two reservoirs for surplus energy storage

Peak shaving

Using surplus energy to meet future shortages in HEP

Low-head schemes

HEP methods for locations with short water drop distances

Micro-hydro schemes

Small-scale HEP using diverted river sections

Kaplan turbines

Turbines for HEP with high efficiency at low head locations

Helical turbines

Turbines for HEP allowing safe passage of aquatic species

Extraction of materials

Process to obtain resources for dam and turbine construction

Habitat loss

Result of building dams and reservoirs for HEP

Displacement of people

Occurs when communities are relocated for dam construction

Flooding

Decreased with fewer high flow periods, impacting nutrient transport for plant growth

Turbidity

Increases with high river flow, reducing light penetration and affecting submerged photosynthesis

Sedimentation

Increases in reservoirs, leading to sediment sludge decomposition and reduced water oxygen content

Aquatic Species Migration

Prevented by dams, causing population fragmentation and hindering breeding

Wind Power

Derived from solar heating creating wind, with properties like kinetic energy form and locational constraints

Wind Turbines

Devices converting wind energy to electricity, including HAWTs and VAWTs

HAWT

Horizontal axis wind turbine with advantages like higher efficiency and more available technology

VAWT

Vertical axis wind turbine with advantages like wind direction flexibility and lighter structure

Wind Power Locational Constraints

Includes high wind areas, proximity to consumers, and avoiding wildlife habitats and flight paths

Blade-tip Fins

Curved ends on turbine blades reducing friction and turbulence, enhancing efficiency

Nacelle Brushes

Reduce air escape in the turbine head, ensuring efficient energy harnessing

Direct Drive Turbines

Gearbox-free turbines reducing costs, tower strength requirements, and operational issues

Helical VAWT Blades

Curved shape reducing stress, air resistance, and increasing efficiency in vertical axis turbines

Environmental Impacts of Wind Power

Include habitat loss, noise pollution, bird and bat deaths, and material extraction