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Learning objectives: To know which energy resource we use today to generate electricity To understand current debates on energy supply
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Why do we need energy resources?
Why do we need energy resources?
Science and TechnologyThe energy debate:
What is the future of energy resources?
Learning objectives:• To know which energy resource we use today to
generate electricity• To understand current debates on energy supply
Do fossil fuels have a future?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels?
On your whiteboards write two advantagesand two disadvantages
What is the cost of generating electricity?
What does this show?
Energy source Cost (pence per kilowatt hour)
Gas 2.5p
Coal 3.2p
Nuclear 4.2p
Onshore wind 4.2p
Offshore wind 5.1p
Wave and tidal 14p
Solar 45p
What is the current situation?
What does this show us when we compare energy sources today and in the future?
Answers......Country Tonnes of CO₂ per
person% of World population
World emitter of CO₂ (rank order)
Chad 0 (6) No data available No data available
China 3.2 (3)
India 1.2 (4)
Tanzania 0.1 (5) No data available No data available
UK 9.4 (2)
USA 19.8 (1)
Why does the USA produce so much CO₂? And Chad so little?
Energy use in different countries
Country Tonnes of CO₂ per person
% of World population
World emitter of CO₂ (rank order)
Chad 0 No data available No data available
China 3.2 19.5%
India 1.2 17.3%
Tanzania 0.1 No data available No data available
UK 9.4 0.9%
USA 19.8 4.5%
Energy use in different countriesCountry Tonnes of CO₂ per
person% of World population
World emitter of CO₂ (rank order)
Chad 0 No data available No data available
China 3.2 19.5% 2nd
India 1.2 17.3% 4th
Tanzania 0.1 No data available No data available
UK 9.4 0.9% 7th
USA 19.8 4.5% 1st
Why has UK slipped to 7th place and China moved up to 2nd place?
Nuclear power
How does it work?
Advantages of nuclear power• Almost zero emission (doesn't emit green house gases). It
produces electricity without pollution.
• Does not consume fossil fuels which are getting scarcer and more expensive.
• They can be sited almost anywhere unlike oil which is mostly imported.
• The plants almost never experience problems.
• A small amount of matter creates a large amount of energy so there is little fear that we will run out of it.
• A lot of energy from a single power plant
Disadvantages of nuclear power
• More expensive to build the plant.
• Waste products dangerous and need to be carefully stored for long time as they are highly radioactive. This adds to the costs.
• Radioactive waste will remain radioactive for an unacceptable amount of time.
• Nuclear power plants can be very dangerous to its surroundings and employees.
• It would cost a lot of money to repair incase of spillages.
What happened at Chernobyl?
Chernobyl
Japan unveils plan to phase out nuclear power14 September 2012
The Japanese government has unveiled a plan to phase out nuclear power by 2030, in a major policy shift after last year's Fukushima disaster.
British nuclear power• The UK relies on atomic energy for
nearly 20% of its electricity. But all but one of its existing power stations are due to close by 2023.
• No reactors have been built since the 1980s, as accidents, spiralling decommissioning costs and the problem of nuclear waste eroded enthusiasm.
• But with soaring oil and gas prices, dwindling fossil fuel reserves and pressure to tackle climate change, the government has renewed its support for nuclear power.
• It is backing a new generation of atomic power stations because it believes they provide the necessary security of supply while helping reduce carbon emissions.
Plenary
Should Britain follow Japan in phasing out all nuclear power plants?
Write a justified opinion in your books.
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