Energy Production Processes GCSE AQA Engineering

Kinetic Energy

Energy of moving objects (e.g., wind, water flow).

Potential Energy

Stored energy due to position or condition (e.g., water in a dam).

Thermal Energy

Energy from heat (e.g., steam in power plants).

Chemical Energy

Energy stored in fuel, batteries, and food.

Nuclear Energy

Energy released from atomic reactions such as fission and fusion.

Electrical Energy

Energy from the movement of electrons in a circuit.

Light (Radiant) Energy

Energy carried by electromagnetic waves (e.g., solar power).

Fossil Fuels

Burning coal, oil, or gas to produce heat and generate electricity.

Nuclear Power

Splitting uranium atoms (fission) to release heat for power generation.

Solar Power

Converts sunlight into electricity (photovoltaic) or heat (solar thermal).

Wind Power

Wind turns turbine blades, generating electricity.

Hydropower

Moving water turns turbines to generate power.

Geothermal Energy

Uses heat from the Earth’s core to generate steam and electricity.

Biomass Energy

Burns organic materials (e.g., wood, waste) to produce energy.

Renewable Energy

Energy that can be replenished naturally (e.g., solar, wind, hydro).

Non-Renewable Energy

Finite resources that take millions of years to form (e.g., fossil fuels, nuclear).

Energy Efficiency

The ratio of useful energy output to total energy input expressed as a percentage.

Power

The rate at which energy is transferred, measured in watts (W).

Energy Transferred

Calculated as Power (W) multiplied by Time (s).

Pumped Storage Hydroelectricity

Stores energy by pumping water to a higher reservoir for later use.

Battery Storage

Stores electricity chemically, used in electric vehicles and power grids.

Flywheel Storage

Converts energy into rotational motion for later release.

Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES)

Uses excess electricity to compress air, generating power when released.

Smart Grids

Use digital technology to monitor and optimize energy use.

Smart Meters

Measure electricity use in real-time to help reduce energy waste.

Carbon Footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases (CO₂) produced by energy use.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, producing only water as a byproduct.

Fusion Power

Technology that combines atomic nuclei to release massive, clean energy.

Tidal & Wave Power

Uses ocean movement to generate electricity.

Emerging Energy Technologies

Innovative technologies that enhance energy production and storage methods.