National and Global Energy Resources

This set of 30 flashcards covers key concepts related to national and global energy resources, focusing on renewable and non-renewable energy sources, their advantages and disadvantages, and environmental impacts.

What is a renewable energy resource?

An energy source which can be replenished as it is being used up.

Give four examples of renewable energy resources.

1. Wind Energy 2. Hydro-Electricity 3. Tidal Energy 4. Solar Energy

Give an example of a non-renewable energy resource.

Fossil fuels (for example coal, oil and gas).

What are the advantages of generating power using gas rather than coal?

1. Flexible Generation: Gas power stations have short start-up times so can be switched on/off more readily 2. Lower emissions of carbon dioxide.

State two disadvantages of using renewable energy resources to generate power.

1. Output often determined by external factors (like wind speed), so supply is uncertain 2. Generating power through other means is often more efficient and economically beneficial.

Explain the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels.

1. Carbon Dioxide contributes to the greenhouse effect, causing global warming. 2. Sulphur Dioxide leads to acid rain, damaging buildings and crops.

State three advantages of fossil fuels as an energy resource.

1. Reliable: Not dependent on external factors. 2. Can produce large amounts of energy for a given quantity. 3. Still relatively abundant, cost-effective.

State three advantages of nuclear power.

1. Very large amounts of energy for relatively small quantities of fuel. 2. Doesn’t release greenhouse gases, not contributing to climate change. 3. Low fuel costs.

State three disadvantages of nuclear power.

1. Produces nuclear waste harmful to humans, must be stored safely for centuries. 2. Non-renewable energy source. 3. Risk of nuclear accidents with fatal consequences.

How does hydroelectric power produce energy?

1. Rainwater collects behind a dam. 2. When this water is released, it turns a turbine. 3. This turbine turns a generator producing electricity.

What are some disadvantages of using biofuels?

1. When plants are burned or decay, they release CO2. 2. Growing biofuels requires destroying land, eliminating natural habitats, and may reduce food-growing land.

What are the advantages of tidal energy sources?

1. Do not produce greenhouse gases. 2. Quite reliable, as tides happen twice a day. 3. Cheap to run, as tides are natural and free.

What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power?

1. The dam may cause flooding. 2. It can cost a lot to install the required infrastructure.

What are some advantages of solar panels?

1. Don’t cause harm to the environment. 2. Renewable resource. 3. Can be used in remote areas with less accessible energy types.

Give examples of social factors which may act as a deterrent for certain types of energy production.

Visual Pollution and Sound Pollution, particularly disadvantages of wind farms.

What is the main benefit of wind energy?

It is renewable and can be harnessed without depleting resources.

What are two major issues associated with fossil fuels?

1. Contributes to air pollution. 2. Finite resource, leading to energy crisis.

Why is nuclear energy considered low carbon?

It does not release greenhouse gases during energy production.

What is a drawback of solar energy production?

It is dependent on sunlight, which can be variable.

How can tidal energy be described?

Reliable energy source due to predictable tidal movements.

What is a common benefit of renewable energy?

Sustainability, as they can be replenished naturally.

What impacts do fossil fuels have on air quality?

They release pollutants which harm air quality and public health.

How does hydroelectric power help in energy storage?

Pump storage systems can store energy by pumping water uphill.

What type of energy resource is most abundant in nature?

Solar energy is the most abundant energy resource.

What factor limits the efficiency of renewable energy technologies?

Dependence on weather conditions and location.

Why might some communities oppose wind farms?

Concerns about visual and sound pollution.

Can biofuels be considered a sustainable energy source?

Yes, but must be managed to prevent land use conflicts.