Energy resources

Wind power (Renewable)

• Each turbine has a generator inside it; the rotating blades turn the generator and prdouce electricity.
• The kinetic energy of the wind is transferred to the kinetic energy of the blades.
• Doesn't contribute to global warming/climate change (produce carbon dioxide).
• Can generate a lot of electricity for the UK.
• Low running costs
• Unreliable, won't make electricity if there's no wind.
• Noisy and unsightly
• Initial costs are quite high
• Useful in areas that can't be connected to the electricity network

Solar power (Renewable)

• Solar cells convert the energy in sunlight directly into electrical energy.
• Doesn't produce carbon dioxide.
• Can be used and transported anywhere (used in remote places).
• Unreliable, there isn't always sun.
• Solar panels can be expensive, but are getting cheaper.
• Solar heating panels - Use the sun's energy to heat water directly.
• Solar cell panel - Sunlight is used to make electricity.

Geothermal power (Renewable)

• Useful in volcanic areas (e.g Iceland). In these areas steam and hot water rise to the surface. This can be used to drive a turbine connected to a generator and generates electricity.
• The source of most of the energy is the slow decay of various radioactive elements (Uranium).
• Water is pumped down in the ground.
• The water returns as steam to turn a turbine and generator.
• Kinetic energy of steam - Kinetic energy of turbine - (Generator) Electrical energy
• Doesn't produce Carbon dioxide, so doesn't contribute to climate change.
• Remaining hot water can be used as heat for local homes.
• Can only be used in certain areas like Iceland or Japan.

Hydroelectrical power (Renewable)

• This starts off by creating a dam in a river, with a lot of water trapped behind the dam.
• Then allow the water to flow down hill, and pass through a turbine. The turbine is connected to a generator and this generates electricity.
• Gravitational potential energy of water behind dam - Kinetic energy moving water (Turbine) - Kinetic energy of turbine (Generator) - Electrical energy
• Quite short start up time
• A lot of electricity is generated and is reliable.
• Doesn't produce carbon dioxide.
• Very expensive to build dams.
• Can ruin the environmet and habitats.

Wave power (Renewable)

• There are two collumns with a turbine and generator. The kinetic energy of the waves forces air up and down the collumn.
• This drives the turbine connected to the genertaor. Electrical energy is generated.
• Doesn't produce carbon dioxide and no pollution
• Not reliable
• Noisy which could affect wildlife

Tidal power (Renewable)

• This involves building a tidal barrage across an estuary.
• During high tide the barrage is open, allowing water to fill the estuary. The barrage is then closed.
• At low tide, the water is allowed to flow out through turbines generating electricity.
• Doesn't contribute to climate change/global warming.
• Very reliable
• Tidal barrages could be used as a bridge
• Expensive
• Can damage wildlife habitats and prevent access for boats.
• Initial cost quite high

Bio-fuels (Renewable)

• Come from plants. Energy comes from, e.g Trees convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy during photosynthesis. When the wood is burnt, the chemical energy is transferred to heat energy.
• Chemical energy in bio-fuels - (Burning) Heat energy used to boil water - Kinetic energy in steam - (Turbine) Kinetic energy of turbine - (Generator) Electrical energy.
• E.g seeds, wood chipping and nuts.
• Carbon neutral, meaning they have taken in Carbon dioxide, but it's then being burnt so it's equal. (There's also the fuel burned to transport the bio-fuels)
• Reliable
• Can destroy wildlife's habitats.
• Land used to grow biofuels, could be used to grow crops.

Fossil fuels (Unrenewable)

• Were formed thousands of years ago from the remains of living organisms.
• The main ones used are coal, oil and gas.
• Chemical energy in fossi fuels - (Burning) Heat energy used to boil water - Kinetic energy from steam - (Turbine) Kinetic energy of turbine - Electrical energy
• Gas has the shortest start up time, followed by oil then coal.
• Relatively cheap
• Reliable source of electricity
• Can generate a lot of electricity
• Burning them releases carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change
• Burning coal can release sulfur dioxide gas leading to acid rain
• The carbon dioxide released can be captured and then pumped underground and stored (E.g old oil and gas fields under the North sea) (Expensive) (Called carbon capture)

Nuclear power (Unrenewable)

• In the centre of a nuclear power plant, there's a nuclear reactor. It contains fuels and rods of uranium or plutonium.
• Uranium and plutonium undergo nuclear fission, releasing heat energy.
• The heat energy is used to convert water into steam.
• The kinetic energy of the steam drives the turbine,
• Doesn't produce Carbon dioxide
• Cheaper once built
• Reliable
• Produces very dangerous radioactive waste
• Very expensive to build