National and global energy resources

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Apuntes de la lección

Energy Resources and Electricity Generation

Energy resources are large stores of energy used to generate electricity and heat homes and businesses.
Electricity is generated in similar ways regardless of the resource: a turbine is turned, which turns a generator, producing electricity.
The key difference is how the turbine is made to turn.
Fossil fuels are burned to heat water, producing steam that turns turbines.
Nuclear fuel undergoes fission to heat water, producing steam that turns turbines.
Geothermal energy uses hot rocks underground to heat water, which returns as steam to turn turbines.
Hydroelectric dams use water stored at height; when released, rushing water turns turbines directly.
Wind turns turbines directly, and tidal movements and water waves also turn turbines directly.

Wind turbines use the kinetic energy of moving air to generate electricity

Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Resources

A renewable energy resource is replenished at a faster rate than it is used, so it will not run out.
Non-renewable resources are being used up faster than they can be replaced.
Renewable resources include solar, wind, bio-fuel, hydroelectricity, geothermal, tidal and water waves.
Non-renewable resources include fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) and nuclear fuel.
Nuclear fuel is non-renewable even though it does not produce carbon dioxide during generation.
Bio-fuels are renewable because they come from plant matter, but whether they are carbon-neutral is controversial.

Uses of Energy Resources

The three main uses of energy resources are transport, electricity generation and heating.
Most vehicles are powered by petroleum products (petrol, diesel, kerosene) derived from crude oil, a fossil fuel.
Electric vehicles produce zero carbon emissions when driven, but charging them uses electricity from the National Grid, which may come from non-renewable sources.
Biofuels can power vehicles and are renewable, but their carbon-neutral status is debated.
Most homes in cold countries use natural gas for central heating, which is non-renewable.
In geologically active countries like Iceland, geothermal energy is used to heat homes.

Reliability of Energy Resources

A reliable energy resource can produce energy at any time.
Non-reliable resources can only produce energy some of the time, e.g. wind and solar.
Fossil fuels, nuclear and geothermal are reliable because they can generate continuously.
Tidal power is more predictable than wind or solar because tides follow a regular pattern.
Hydroelectric and tidal can be reliable but depend on suitable locations.
Reliability affects how much a resource can be depended upon to meet demand.

Comparing Energy Resources

Each energy resource has advantages and disadvantages in terms of reliability, cost and environmental impact.
Fossil fuels are reliable and relatively cheap but produce carbon dioxide and other pollutants.
Nuclear is reliable and produces no carbon dioxide during generation, but produces radioactive waste and has high decommissioning costs.
Wind and solar are renewable and produce no carbon dioxide during operation, but are unreliable and can be expensive to install.
Hydroelectric is renewable and reliable but can flood large areas and disrupt ecosystems.
Tidal is renewable and predictable but can harm marine life and is expensive to build.
Geothermal is renewable and reliable but only viable in certain locations.

Environmental Issues

Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, contributing to global warming.
The Greenhouse Effect occurs when greenhouse gases (mainly carbon dioxide and methane) trap infrared radiation, raising Earth's average temperature.
Consequences of global warming include climate change, rising sea levels, extinction of species, migration, spread of diseases and loss of habitat.
In the UK over the past 30 years, fossil fuel use has dropped from 75% to 38%, while renewable energy use has increased from 2% to 35%.
Coal produces the most carbon dioxide of the fossil fuels, while natural gas produces the least, so switching from coal to gas reduces emissions.
Science can identify environmental issues, but political, social, ethical and economic factors affect how they are addressed.

Trends and Future Energy Use

Global energy demand is extremely high due to a growing population (over 8 billion people).
Currently, about 84% of the world's energy is produced from non-renewable, carbon-emitting sources.
There is a gradual shift towards cleaner technologies, encouraged by government grants for wind and solar farms.
Further reduction of carbon emissions may require more nuclear power stations and better energy storage for unreliable renewables.
Fusion is not yet a practical power source because it requires extremely high temperatures and pressures that are difficult to contain and sustain.
A combination of all available energy resources is needed to meet global demand.

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Preguntas de práctica

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1.Which of the following is the best definition of a renewable energy resource?
Easy
- AAn energy resource that is replenished at a faster rate than the rate at which it is being used
- BAn energy resource that produces no pollution when it is used
- CAn energy resource that can produce energy at any time of day
- DAn energy resource that is stored underground and cannot be replaced
2.Which of the following energy resources are non-renewable? (select all that apply)
Medium
- ACoal
- BNuclear fuel
- CNatural gas
- DBio-fuel
- ETidal
3.Which of the following substances are greenhouse gases? (select all that apply)
Medium
- ANitrogen
- BCarbon dioxide
- COxygen
- DArgon
- EMethane
4.Wind power is said to be unreliable. Which statement best explains why?
Easy
- AIt only works when the wind is blowing
- BWind turbines cannot generate electricity at night
- CWind power is a non-renewable resource
- DThe fuel for wind turbines is expensive
5.A wind turbine has an average power output of 0.60 MW. A typical gas-fired power station has an average power output of 875 MW. How many wind turbines would be needed to produce the power output of one typical gas-fired power station?
Medium
- A1458
- B525
- C146
- D8750
6.The UK has a minimum electrical power demand of 30 000 000 000 W. An average large hydroelectric power plant produces 30 MW. How many large hydroelectric power plants would be needed to meet this minimum demand?
Medium
- A1000
- B100
- C10000
- D30
7.Nuclear fuel is a renewable energy resource.
Easy
True or false?
8.A reliable energy resource is one that can produce energy at any time.
Easy
True or false?

Más preguntas

9.All renewable energy resources are completely pollution-free.
Medium
True or false?
10.Match each energy resource to its description.
Medium
- Wind
- Hydroelectric
- Geothermal
- Solar cells
- Wind turns turbines directly to generate electricity
- Stored water released from a height turns turbines directly
- Hot rocks underground heat water to produce steam
- Use light to generate electricity
11.Over the past 30 years in the UK, which change in energy use has taken place?
Medium
- AFossil fuel use has dropped from 75% to 38% and renewable use has risen from 2% to 35%
- BFossil fuel use has risen from 38% to 75% and renewable use has fallen from 35% to 2%
- CFossil fuel use has stayed at 75% while renewable use has risen to 35%
- DCoal use has increased and renewable use has stayed the same
12.A pumped storage station has a very short start-up time. Why is this important?
Hard
- AIt can meet sudden, high demand for electrical energy very quickly
- BIt reduces the total amount of energy that is wasted as heat
- CIt means the station never needs to be switched off
- DIt allows the station to store electricity in the upper reservoir
13.A typical electric car battery stores 144 MJ and produces 50.0 MJ of useful energy before recharging. What is the efficiency of the car?
Hard
- A34.7%
- B65.3%
- C288%
- D2.88%
14.Put the energy transfers involved in generating electricity from fossil fuels into the correct order, starting with the fuel.
Medium
- Chemical store of the fuel
- Thermal store of the water
- Kinetic store of the turbine
- Kinetic store of the generator
- Transferred electrically to the National Grid
15.The National Grid ensures that only around one third of UK electrical power is generated by fossil fuels. Which reason best explains why?
Hard
- ATo reduce the environmental impact of generating electricity
- BBecause fossil fuels are no longer available in the UK
- CBecause fossil fuels cannot be used to generate electricity reliably
- DTo increase the total amount of energy generated
16.Which statement best explains why science alone cannot fully solve the environmental issues arising from energy use?
Hard
- APolitical, social, ethical and economic considerations must also be taken into account
- BScientists do not yet understand how energy resources affect the environment
- CEnvironmental issues are not caused by energy resources
- DOnly renewable resources cause environmental issues
17.Which of the following are advantages of using wind turbines to generate electricity? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AThey do not produce carbon dioxide while generating electricity
- BWind is a renewable resource
- CThey can generate electricity at any time
- DThey produce no noise
- EThey need no maintenance
18.Which of the following is a disadvantage of using solar power as an energy resource?
Hard
- AIt cannot generate electricity at night or in poor light
- BIt produces large amounts of carbon dioxide
- CIt is a non-renewable resource
- DIt always requires fuel to be burned
19.Coal produces more carbon dioxide per unit of energy than natural gas when burned.
Medium
True or false?
20.Why is it difficult for scientists to use nuclear fusion as a source of power on Earth?
Medium
- AIt is difficult to achieve, maintain and contain the very high temperatures and pressures needed
- BFusion produces no energy at all
- CFusion requires fossil fuels to start
- DFusion fuel does not exist on Earth
21.Which of the following is the biggest challenge in relying on solar and wind for a large share of electricity generation?
Hard
- ADeveloping a means of storing energy from these unreliable sources
- BThese resources are non-renewable
- CThese resources produce large amounts of carbon dioxide
- DThese resources cannot turn turbines
22.Match each energy resource to the way it is used to generate electricity.
Medium
- Fossil fuels
- Nuclear fuel
- Wind
- Hydroelectric
- Geothermal
- Solar cells
- Combusted to heat water to produce steam to turn turbines
- Undergoes fission to heat water to produce steam to turn turbines
- Turns turbines directly
- Water stored at height is released to turn turbines directly
- Hot rocks underground heat water to produce steam to turn turbines
- Use light to generate electricity
23.Which of the following are renewable energy resources? (select all that apply)
Medium
- ABio-fuel
- BNuclear fuel
- CTidal
- DCoal
- EGeothermal
- FOil
24.Which of the following statements about energy resources are correct? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AA reliable energy resource can produce energy at any time.
- BAll renewable energy resources are reliable.
- CNuclear fuel is a non-renewable energy resource.
- DSolar power is reliable because it works at night.
- EWind power is unreliable because it only works when the wind is blowing.
25.A company wants to power a science park using renewable energy. Which of the following are advantages of using wind turbines? (select all that apply)
Hard
- AThey produce no carbon emissions while generating electricity.
- BThey are reliable because the wind always blows.
- CThey do not use up a fuel that will run out.
- DThey can be noisy and spoil the landscape.
- EThey have a high power output compared with a single gas-fired power station.
26.Put the energy transfers involved in generating electricity from nuclear fuel into the correct order, starting with the nuclear store.
Medium
- Nuclear store of fuel
- Thermal store of water
- Kinetic store of turbine
- Kinetic store of generator
- Electrical transfer to the National Grid
27.Put the stages of electricity generation in a hydroelectric dam into the correct order, starting with the water at the top.
Medium
- Water stored at a height has gravitational potential energy
- Water is released and rushes down
- Kinetic store of the water increases
- Water turns the turbine
- Generator produces electricity
28.Which of the following is the main way energy is transferred in a hydroelectric dam to generate electricity?
Medium
- AGravitational potential energy store of the water → kinetic energy store of the turbine
- BChemical energy store of the water → thermal energy store of the turbine
- CNuclear energy store of the water → kinetic energy store of the turbine
- DElastic potential energy store of the water → kinetic energy store of the turbine
29.Which of the following best describes why a pumped storage station needs a very short start-up time?
Medium
- AIt can respond quickly to sudden increases in demand for electricity.
- BIt can store more energy than any other power station.
- CIt can generate electricity without using any energy.
- DIt can produce electricity continuously without any fuel.
30.A pumped storage station uses more energy to pump water up than it generates when the water flows back down. Which statement best explains why it is still useful?
Medium
- AIt can store energy and release it quickly when demand is high.
- BIt generates electricity without any energy input.
- CIt produces more energy than it uses overall.
- DIt is a renewable energy resource that never runs out.
31.Which of the following are environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels for electricity generation? (select all that apply)
Medium
- ARelease of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas
- BRelease of methane, a greenhouse gas
- CProduction of steam that turns turbines
- DRelease of sulfur dioxide, which can cause acid rain
- EIncrease in the amount of nuclear waste
32.A country's electricity demand is 45 000 MW. A single offshore wind turbine has an average power output of 5.0 MW. How many of these turbines would be needed to meet the demand?
Medium
- A9000
- B225
- C9
- D90 000
33.Which of the following energy resources is non-renewable?
Easy
- ANatural gas
- BGeothermal
- CTidal
- DBio-fuel
34.Which of the following are reliable energy resources, able to produce energy at any time? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AFossil fuels
- BNuclear fuel
- CWind
- DSolar
- ETidal
35.Match each energy resource to how it is used.
Medium
- Fossil fuels
- Solar
- Geothermal
- Bio-fuel
- Combusted to heat water to produce steam
- Light used by solar cells to generate electricity
- Hot rocks underground heat water to produce steam
- Plant matter, ethanol or methane used as a fuel
36.Put the energy transfers in a geothermal power station into the correct order, starting with the energy store of the hot rocks.
Medium
- Thermal store of hot rocks
- Thermal store of water/steam
- Kinetic store of turbine
- Kinetic store of generator
37.The graph of wind turbine power output over one day shows a peak of 1.2 MW at 6 am and very low output (0.1 MW) at 2 pm. What is the best explanation for this pattern?
Hard
- AWind speed varies throughout the day, so output is unreliable
- BThe turbine is broken and needs repair
- CSolar energy interferes with wind turbines
- DWind turbines only work at night
38.Which energy resource replaced coal as the main provider of energy in the UK?
Medium
- ANatural gas
- BWind
- CNuclear
- DOil
39.Why has the use of renewable energy resources increased in the UK over the past 30 years?
Medium
- AGovernment grants have encouraged wind and solar farms
- BFossil fuels have run out completely
- CRenewables are always cheaper than fossil fuels
- DNuclear power has been banned
40.Which of the following is a greenhouse gas?
Medium
- ACarbon dioxide
- BOxygen
- CNitrogen
- DArgon
41.Complete the sentences using the correct terms.
Easy
Wind power uses ____ to generate electricity. Wind is a ____ energy resource. Wind power is said to be ____ because it only works when the wind is blowing.
42.The amount of solar energy hitting some solar panels in one day is 700 kWh. The panels generate 175 kWh. Calculate the efficiency of the panels as a percentage.
Medium
43.Name the energy resource that undergoes fission to heat water and produce steam to turn turbines.
Easy
44.In geologically active countries such as Iceland, which energy resource is used to heat homes?
Medium
45.A wind turbine has an average power output of 0.60 MW. A typical gas-fired power station has an average power output of 875 MW. Calculate how many wind turbines it would take to produce the power output of one typical gas-fired power station.
Medium
46.The UK has a minimum electrical power demand of 30 000 000 000 W. An average large hydroelectric power plant produces 30 MW. Determine how many large hydroelectric power plants it would take to meet the minimum demand of the UK.
Medium
47.A solar panel receives 800 kWh of energy from the Sun in one day and generates 200 kWh of electrical energy. Calculate the efficiency of the solar panel. Give your answer as a percentage.
Medium
48.Complete the sentence using the correct term.
Easy
An energy resource that is replenished at a faster rate than it is used is described as ____.
49.Name the energy resource that is used in a hydroelectric dam.
Easy
50.A tidal barrage has an average power output of 20 MW. How many of these would be needed to replace a 500 MW coal-fired power station?
Medium
51.Name the energy resource that is used in a nuclear power station.
Easy
52.Explain one effect that burning fossil fuels has on the environment.
Hard
53.It is possible to reduce the effect that burning fossil fuels has on the environment without reducing the amount of fossil fuels burned. Give one way in which the effects of carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced.
Hard
54.Suggest reasons why solar power alone is unlikely to totally replace fossil fuels as a means of generating electrical energy.
Medium
55.The company also wishes to use renewable energy for the transport around the science park. Due to the low amount of energy that batteries can store, battery powered cars need to be very efficient. Write the equation for efficiency in terms of energy.
Hard
56.A typical electric car battery can store 144 MJ of energy before it needs to be recharged. Using the battery, the car can produce 50.0 MJ of useful energy. Calculate the amount of energy that is 'wasted' by the car and suggest how this energy may have been dissipated to the surroundings.
Challenge
57.The amount of solar energy hitting some solar panels in one day is 700 kWh. The panels generate 175 kWh. Calculate the efficiency of the panels as a percentage.
Medium
- A25 %
- B22 %
- C31 %
- D28 %
58.A wind turbine has an average power output of 0.60 MW. A typical gas-fired power station has an average power output of 875 MW. Calculate how many wind turbines it would take to produce the power output of one typical gas-fired power station.
Medium
- A1458
- B1750
- C1604
- D1312
59.The UK has a minimum electrical power demand of 30 000 000 000 W. An average large hydroelectric power plant produces 30 MW. Determine how many large hydroelectric power plants it would take to meet the minimum demand of the UK.
Medium
- A1200
- B1000
- C1100
- D900
60.A solar panel receives 800 kWh of energy from the Sun in one day and generates 200 kWh of electrical energy. Calculate the efficiency of the solar panel. Give your answer as a percentage.
Medium
- A28 %
- B31 %
- C22 %
- D25 %
61.A tidal barrage has an average power output of 20 MW. How many of these would be needed to replace a 500 MW coal-fired power station?
Medium
- A22
- B31
- C25
- D28

Tarjetas

Define a renewable energy resource.

An energy resource that is replenished at a faster rate than the rate at which it is being used, so it will not run out.

Define a non-renewable energy resource.

An energy resource that is being used up faster than it is replenished, so it will eventually run out. Fossil fuels and nuclear fuel are non-renewable.

List the main non-renewable energy resources.

Fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) and nuclear fuel.

List the main renewable energy resources.

Solar, wind, bio-fuel, hydroelectricity, geothermal, tidal and water waves.

What are the three main uses of energy resources?

Transport, electricity generation and heating.

Define a reliable energy resource.

One that can produce energy at any time. Non-reliable resources can only produce energy some of the time, for example when it is windy.

Why is wind power described as unreliable?

It only works when the wind is blowing, so its output varies and cannot be guaranteed at times of high demand.

Why is tidal power more reliable than solar or wind power?

Tides follow a predictable pattern, so tidal energy can be produced at known, regular times, unlike wind and sunlight.

How is electricity generated from fossil fuels?

The fuel is combusted to heat water into steam; the steam turns a turbine, which turns a generator to produce electricity.

Describe the energy transfers in a fossil-fuel power station.

Chemical store of the fuel → thermal store of the water → kinetic store of the turbine → kinetic store of the generator → transferred electrically to the National Grid.

Describe the energy transfers in a nuclear power station.

Nuclear store of the fuel → thermal store of the water → kinetic store of the turbine → kinetic store of the generator.

How is electricity generated using geothermal energy?

Cold water is pumped down to hot rocks underground and returns as hot water or steam, which is used to turn turbines and generate electricity.

How does a hydroelectric dam generate electricity?

Water stored at a height is released; energy transfers from the gravitational potential store of the water to its kinetic store, and the rushing water turns turbines directly.

How do solar cells and solar panels differ in use?

Solar cells use light to generate electricity, while solar panels use thermal radiation from the Sun to heat water for household use.

What is the main advantage of electric vehicles?

While being driven they produce zero carbon emissions, though charging them uses electricity from the National Grid, which is a mix of renewable and non-renewable sources.

What is the advantage and the controversy of using biofuel for transport?

Biofuel is a renewable resource, but the claim that biofuels are carbon-neutral is largely controversial.

Which two gases are the main greenhouse gases?

Carbon dioxide and methane.

Explain how the Greenhouse Effect causes global warming.

Infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface is absorbed by greenhouse gases and trapped in the atmosphere, raising the Earth's average temperature. The higher the concentration of greenhouse gases, the greater the temperature rise.

Give two consequences of global warming.

Sea levels rise as glaciers melt, causing flooding in low-lying countries, and species may become extinct or migrate as habitats are destroyed.

Why has natural gas replaced coal as the main UK energy provider?

Of the three main fossil fuels, coal produces the most carbon dioxide and natural gas produces the least, so switching to gas reduces carbon emissions.

How has UK energy use changed over the past 30 years?

Fossil fuel use has dropped from 75% to 38%, while renewable energy use has increased from 2% to 35%.

Why can science not solve environmental issues from energy use on its own?

Science can identify the environmental issues, but dealing with them also depends on political, social, ethical and economic considerations.

Why is nuclear fusion not currently used as a power source on Earth?

It is very difficult to achieve and maintain the high temperatures and pressures needed, and containing them means only a small amount of fusion occurs — far less energy than is needed to start it.

What is the advantage of a pumped storage station having a short start-up time?

It can respond quickly to sudden high demand, such as when many people use kettles at half time of a major football match.

Give two advantages of a pumped storage power station.

It has a very short start-up time and it can store energy by pumping water to an upper reservoir during times of low demand.

Describe the energy transfers when a pumped storage station generates electricity.

Energy transfers from the gravitational potential store of the water in the upper reservoir to its kinetic store as it flows down, and this mechanically turns the turbine and generator to produce electricity.

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