Renewable Energy IB SL

Does the UK need alternative energy supplies?

energy sources (UK 2003)

17%

9%

1%

32%

41%coal

nuclear

HEP and otherrenewablesoil

natural gas

1950

2000

2050

2100

2150

2200

NaturalGas

Oil Coal

World -estimatedreserves

Renewable energy sources

These will not run out because they can be regenerated. Examples are wind power, solar power, tidal power and biomass.

Charcoal - a fuel produced from wood (biomass)

Only 1% of the UK’s energy comes from these sources. Can you think of a reason why?

Solar energy

Solar panels

Photovoltaic cells are made of the abundant element silicon.

Photovoltaic cells are silent.

Photovoltaic cells have low maintenance costs.

Why isn’t solar energy popular in the UK?

Advantages of wind energy

cooling towers

Wind power can be developed on a small scale.

Wind farms create jobs in rural areas.

Wind farms can be constructed in a few months (thermal power stations take

between 6-10 years to complete).

Wind fuel is free.

Wind energy - the disadvantages

Some people also consider the wind farms as visually unattractive and noisy.

What are the advantages of wind energy?

Rotor blades can be damaged in strong and turbulent winds.

It takes 30 wind farms to generate the same amount of electricity as one coal-fired power station. The setting up costs for wind farms are therefore more expensive than for traditional, fossil fuel power stations.

In theory, the UK could generate all its electricity from wind farms covering approximately 1% of the land.

But the problems are wind turbine design and cost.

Energy is generated by the tidal rise and fall. The tides come in and pass through holes in a dam wall. The water is then trapped in a river estuary. Then the tide ebbs and passes back through the barrage, driving the turbines and producing electricity. Tidal energy is generated at La Rance in western France. A suitable site in Britain would be the River Severn. This barrage would cost between £3 billion and £9 billion and be able to generate between 5% and 10% of Britain’s total electricity demand.

Tidal energy

Wave energy

The island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland has had a Limpet (land-installed marine-powered energy transformer) constructed, which should provide a reliable electricity supply for the 3,400 residents. A 25-metre notch has been cut into Islay’s south west facing cliffs at Portnahaven into which a wave chamber has been inserted. The waves rise and fall in this wave chamber compressing the air and so driving the turbines which power the generators.

Why has the wave chamber been placed on the south west of the island?

incoming waveslow tide

high tide

turbo generator

Geothermal energy

Hot water Cold Water

geothermal plant

fractured rock

Geothermal energy is obtained from heated rocks and molten magma under the Earth’s surface.

Geothermal energy is generated extensively in tectonic areas, such as Iceland and New Zealand.

Why is this the case?

Plate Map

often located in exposed areas such as mountainous regions

Wave

Solar

Geothermal

Wind

HEP

Tidal

Match the statement with the energy source

water stored in dams is released through turbines to generate electricity

located on the coast with a chamber facing the prevailing wind

mirrors concentrate the sun’s rays onto water-filled black pipes

powered by a man-made barrage, usually found across an estuary

heat produced by rocks under the Earth’s surface

heat produced by rocks under the Earth’s surface

water stored in dams is released through turbines to generate electricity

located on the coast with a chamber facing the prevailing wind

mirrors concentrate the sun’s rays onto water-filled black pipes

powered by a man-made barrage, usually found across an estuary

often located in exposed areas such as mountainous regions

Using Geography An Integrated Approach P540-543, copy and complete the following table...Using Geography An Integrated Approach P540-543, copy and complete the following table...

Energy Source

Picture Description

Advantages Disadvantages

Wind

Solar

Wave

Tidal

Geothermal

Biomass

Fuelwood

Activity