comparing energy resources

what is an advantage of renewable energy resources?

• A renewable energy resource is one that is replenished at a faster rate than the rate at which it is being used

  • As a result of this, renewable energy resources will not run out

what is a reliable energy resource? (like define it)

A reliable energy resource is one that can produce energy at any time

what is a non reliable energy resource? (like define it)

Non-reliable resources can only produce energy some of the time (e.g. when it’s windy)

describe the advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels

• non renewable

• advantages - reliable, large energy amounts at short notice

• disadvantages - produce significant greenhouse gas and pollution

describe the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear

• non renewable

• advantages - reliable, produces no greenhouse gases or pollution, large amount of energy from small amounts of fuel

• disadvantages - produce dangerous radioactive waste that can take thousands of years to decay

describe the advantages and disadvantages of bio fuels

• renewable

• advantages - co2 produced while burning the fuel is balanced by co2 absorbed whilst producing it

• disadvantages - take up a lot of land and consume resources required for food production

describe the advantages and disadvantages of wind

• renewable

• advantages - produce no greenhouse gases or pollution, land used for farming

• not reliable, turbines are noisy and ugly, not suitable everywhere

describe the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric

• renewable

• advantages - reliable and produce large amount of energy at short notice. no greenhouse gas/pollution

• disadvantages - involve flooding large area and destroying important wildlife habitats

describe the advantages and disadvantages of tidal

• renewable

• advantages - predictable tides and large amount of energy produced at regular intervals

• disadvantages - few suitable localtions. can cause environmental harm to estuaries and disrupt shipping

describe the advantages and disadvantages of geothermal

• renewable

• reliable and small stations

• can result in release of harmful gas from underground. not many suitable places

describe the advantages and disadvantages of solar

• renewable

• no greenhouse gas or pollution. can produce energy in remote places

• not reliable (only works when sunny) can use up a lot of farmland

what are the two main reasons why fusion is not currently used as a source of power on Earth

• difficulties in achieving (and maintaining)

  • High temperatures

  • High pressures

why can only a small amount of fusion take place

physicists have difficulty containing the attained temperatures and pressures

what does creating the high amount of temperature needed for fusion require

• Creating the temperatures needed for fusion requires a great deal of energy

  • Hence, physicists are still a long way from the point where they will produce more energy from fusion than the energy needed to start it