Energy Resources

Oil gas and coal

1. The chemical energy stored in the fuel is transferred to the water via heating as the fuel is burnt.
2. The water gains kinetic energy and turns into steam.
3. The steam turns the turbine, transferring its energy mechanically.
4. The kinetic energy of the turbine is mechanically transferred to the generator to spin it.
5. The generator generates electricity which is transferred electrically to the National Grid.

Hydroelectric dam

1. Water starts ‘high up’ behind damn (GPE → mechanically → KE).
2. Water moves through pipes and turbine (KE → mechanically → KE).
3. Water turns turbine (KE → mechanically → KE).
4. Turbine turns generator (KE → electrically).

Wind turbine

1. Wind turns turbine.
2. Turbine turns generator.
3. Generator generates electricity.

Solar cells

1. Light is absorbed by solar cell.
2. A current flows.

Thermal

1. Cold water pumped onto hot rocks.
2. Hot rocks heat water into steam.
3. Steam turns the turbine.
4. Turbine turns generator.
5. Generator generates electricity.

Wave

1. Wave moves air in tube.
2. Air turns turbine.
3. Turbine turns generator.
4. Generator generates electricity.

Tidal description

As the tide comes in, the barrier is open to allow water to flow up-river. At high tide the barrier is closed. Trapping the water in the river.

Tidal

1. Water from the river side is ‘high up’.
2. Water flows through the turbine.
3. Turbine turns the generator.
4. Generator generates electricity.

Pump storage

Used to pump water to the top of a reservoir during the night. During the day, water can be released through turbines (just like a hydroelectric dam) to generate electricity when required.

Fossil fuels advantages

Not weather dependent, can be built, predictable

Fossil fuels disadvantages

Carbon dioxide - greenhouse gases, sulphates - acid rain

Hydroelectric dam advantages

Renewable, predictable, doesn’t release CO2 or sulphates

Hydroelectric disadvantages

Requires certain geographical features (river, etc.), floods areas of land

Wind advantages

Renewable, no gases released

Wind disadvantages

Not predictable/reliable, eye sore, may kill birds, loud, limited by geographical requirements

Solar advantages

Renewable, no gases released

Solar disadvantages

Not predictable/reliable, weather, dependent on day or night

Geothermal advantages

Renewable, no gases released, predictable/reliable

Geothermal disadvantages

Requires specific geological features

Waves advantages

Renewable, no gases released

Waves disadvantages

Only built on coasts, weather dependent

Tidal advantages

Renewable, no gases released, predictable/reliable

Tidal disadvantages

Requires specific geological features (tidal river).

Nuclear (fission) advantages

No gases released, predictable/reliable

Nuclear (fission) disadvantages

Radioactive waste, must be built in geologically safe locations, often require rivers for cooling