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30 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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what are renewable energy sources?
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sources that are essentially inexhaustible, includes solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy and hydroelectric energy
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What are the advantages of renewable energy sources?
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1. don’t produce green house gases
2. no waste, 3. no fuel costs, 4. short start up time (immediate energy source), 5. sustainable |
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what is the process required to use wind as an energy source?
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wind blows the turbines which then generates electricity
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what are four advantages of using wind as an energy source?
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1. flexibility as it can be used in large scale wind farms and as small individual turbines
2. non polluting, 3. environmentally friendly and sustainable. 4. low running cost |
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what are five disadvantages of using wind as an energy source?
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1. large amount of turbines needed to meet energy needs, not enough space.
2. unsightly and spoils picturesque landscapes. 3. infrastructure damages landscapes. 4. noise and vibration of turbines can affect local communities. 5. affects environmentally sensitive coastal sites. |
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what is the process required to use water as an energy source?
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running water turns turbines and generates hydroelectric power (HEP)
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what are five advantages of using water as an energy source?
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1. no fuel costs so no production of carbon dioxide.
2. highly efficient with minimum running costs. 3. longer economic lives than fuel fired generation. 4. reservoirs created provide improved leisure and tourism 5. large dams can control flooding and protect towns downstream. |
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Give 4 disadvantages of using water as an energy source?
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1. extremely expensive to construct dams and power plants.
2. flooding of vast areas of land requires locals to relocate. 3. rivers may be diverted, causing problems for locals who rely on river for living. 4. can be disruptive to surrounding aquatic ecosystems. |
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What is tidal energy?
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Form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides into useful forms of power
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What advantages does it tidal energy have over wind and solar?
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Is more predictable
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What are some of the disadvantages of Tidal energy?
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High costs and limited availability of sites with high tidal ranges
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How has the Tidal system recently been developed?
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Improvements in design and turbine technology, making it more available
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What is geothermal energy?
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Thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth
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How does Geothermal energy work?
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Heat conducts from the core of the Earth to surrounding rock, melting rock causing magma to rise and heat rock and water in the crust
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What are the advantages of Geothermal energy?
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Cost effective, reliable, sustainable, and enviromentally friendly
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What are the disadvantages of Geothermal energy?
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Limited to areas near tectonic plate boundaries
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How is energy gained from the sun?
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Hot water/electricity generated from solar energy via solar panels and photovoltiac cells.
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Is solar energy expensive?
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After the initial set-up, maintenance costs are low.
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Can solar electricity be self-sufficient?
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If connected to a local grid the systems can.
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What is the main draw back regarding the sun in solar energy?
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If the Sun is not strongAt night the system stops, so storage has to be put in place.
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How is energy lost when using solar electricity?
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Through converting the DC current to AC in order to work on the national grid.
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Where does Biomass and Biofuels come from?
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Plant materials that are either incinerated to produce heat, or through anaerobic digestion.
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What is the advantage of the by-products of Biomass?
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It can be sold and used as compost or fertiliser to improve soil condition.
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Define the places biomass materials can be found?
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Agricultural processing and landfill sites.
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What is produced through the incineration of materials in Biomass production?
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Carbon Dioxide pollution.
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How is ecological damage created through production of Biomass?
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Through deforestation and intensive farming practices.
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What effects the decision a country makes when choosing a renewable energy source?
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The resource that they have are readily available.
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What economical factor pushes business to 'Go Green'?
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Tax incentives such as tax waivers and credit deductions.
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Why is the cost of non-renewable electricty expected to increase?
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Due to the decrease in supplies of crude oil and demand becomes greater.
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How does the opening of renewable energy plants help the economy?
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It creates job opportunities for a market that should last indefinitely.
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