Nuclear power stations - uses uranium/plutonium; releases 300,000 MJ/kg; makes radioactive waste that needs to be stored for years; no greenhouses gases.
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Card 7
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P3.2 - Energy from wind and water
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Card 8
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A wave generator uses waves to make a floating generator move up and down, which turns the generator. A cable between it and the shoreline delivers electricity to grid system. May be ineffective due to extreme weather conditions, cables, sealife.
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Card 9
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A tidal power station traps water from each high tide behind a barrage. The high tide can then be released into the sea through turbines. The turbines drive generators in the barrage.
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Card 10
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In some coastal areas, electricity is generated by the tidal flow passing through undersea turbines on the sea bed. Underwater cables are used to connect these turbines to the national grid.
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Card 11
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Today's solar cells convert less than 10% of the solar energy they absorb into the energy transferred by electricity.
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Card 12
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A solar power tower uses thousands of flat mirrors to reflect sunshine on to a big water tank at the top of a tower. The mirrors on the ground surround the base of the tower.
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Card 13
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A solar panel tower in a hot dry climate can generate more than 20 MW of electrical power, which is enough to power a few thousand homes.
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Card 14
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The energy transferred from these radioactive substances heats the surrounding rock. So energy is transferred by heating towards the Earth's surface.
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Card 15
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In some areas, buildings can be heated using geothermal energy directly. Heat flow from underground is sometimes called ground source heat. It can be used to heat water in long underground pipes. It's then pumped around the buildings.
