Advantages and Disadvantages of Energy Sources

In this presentation you will: identify advantages and disadvantages of

various energy sources Next >

Fossil Fuel

Wind

Solar

Geothermal

Hydro

Nuclear

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Introduction

Power plants convert various forms of energy into electricity.

The electricity we use is generated in power plants.

Electricity

The moving fluid turns a

turbine

Turbine turns a generator

Electricity produced

Electricity Generation

Currently 99.99% of the world’s electricity is generated by extracting the energy from a moving fluid using some form of turbine connected to a generator.

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Moving fluid (steam, water or

wind)

Fossil Fuel Power

Fossil fuel power comes from naturally occurring coal, gas, and oil.

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Advantages of Fossil Fuel Power

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Humans are very experienced at locating, mining, and refining fossil fuels.

Combustion of fossil fuels is a straightforward process.

Advantages of Fossil Fuel Power

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Current technology is set up for use and distribution of fossil fuels, for example, gasoline powered vehicles.

Disadvantages of Fossil Fuel Power

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Fossil fuels are a non-renewable resource, eventually the resource will run out.

There are many environmental issues related to the burning of fossil fuels; Pollution, acid rain, and carbon dioxide emissions are three of the main issues. Landscapes are often badly affected when coalfields are mined.

Stephen Codrington

Reactor core

Steam Turbine

Generator

Nuclear Power

A nuclear reaction occurs in the reactor core which generates heat to create steam to drive the turbine.

The turbine drives a generator to generate electricity.

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Advantages of Nuclear Power

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Nuclear power does not require fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide emissions are minimal.

The cost of nuclear power is not affected by fluctuations in oil and gas prices. So the price will remain fairly constant.

Reliable source.

Statistically it is very safe. There are very few deaths related to nuclear power when compared to other power sources.

CO2

Disadvantages of Nuclear Power

High-level radioactive waste has to be stored safely underground. It can take thousands of years for it to decay to a safe level.

Nuclear waste could potentially be used to create nuclear weapons.

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Disadvantages of Nuclear Power

The costs of storing and guarding the waste are significant, as is the cost of running the plant. Although statistically it is very safe, if there is a disaster, it could be very damaging to the local environment.

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Geothermal Power

Geothermal power uses heat extracted from the ground to drive a turbine.

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Advantages of Geothermal Power

Geothermal is a very clean and efficient method of power production.

Renewable resource. The heat from the ground will never run out.

Minimal carbon emissions.

One power plant can produce a lot of steam by drilling more than one well.

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Disadvantages of Geothermal Power If a location is not

geothermally active, then it becomes very expensive to drill a hole that is deep enough to reach the high temperatures nearer the Earth’s core.

The main costs are through the drilling of the holes. If the drilling goes wrong, then the investment is wasted.

May cause small aftershock earthquakes.

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Hydroelectric Power

Hydroelectric power is where flowing water is used to turn a turbine.

The water may be flowing due to gravity, tides, or ocean currents.

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Advantages of Hydroelectric Power

Renewable energy source; water will always build up in dams unless there is a severe drought. After it is built, it can produce inexpensive and clean power. Dams can contain rainfall that would otherwise cause flooding.

Other than in the initial construction of the dam, no non-renewable resources are used.

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Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Power Building a dam to provide hydroelectric

power may require flooding entire valleys and low-lying land.

When flooding occurs, there can be a major loss of vegetation that results in an increase in greenhouse gases equivalent to those produced by other power generation methods.

Complete ecosystems can be destroyed due to the building of the dam.

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Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Power Dam failure is

uncommon, however in 1975 the Banqiao Dam in China failed due to severe weather, killing approximately 26,000 people directly, and a further 145,000 indirectly.

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Wind Power

Wind turbines convert the energy in the wind into electricity.

The wind turns the blades of the wind turbine, which then drives a generator.

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Advantages of Wind Power

Renewable resource. Wind will never run out. Relatively low cost to build and maintain.

The technology has been around for a long time; there is no need for major advances in technology. A wind farm is scalable. If more electricity is needed, more wind turbines can be added.

Other than during the initial construction of the turbines, no non-renewable resources are used.

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Disadvantages of Wind Power

Intermittent source; electricity will only be produced when it is windy.

Local residents complain of noise from the turbines.

Many people think that wind turbines are unsightly.

The moving blades create a hazard for wildlife, especially birds.

Often places that have high winds are located quite far from civilisation.

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Solar Power

Solar power takes the energy from the Sun to create electricity. There are several methods used.

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Solar Power

Panels of photovoltaic cells convert the Sun’s energy directly into electricity.

Solar troughs and furnaces concentrate the Sun’s energy to heat fluid, which in turn heats water to produce steam, drive turbines, and turn generators.

Stirling engine

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Advantages of Solar Power

Renewable resource. The Sun’s rays will never run out.

Once installed, solar panels provide a free source of power for the coming years. Solar power is able to provide electricity in remote locations that are not connected to a national grid. Electricity is produced very quietly, unlike some other resources.

Other than in the initial construction of the solar panels, no non-renewable resources are used.

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Disadvantages of Solar Power

Solar energy is only able to generate electricity during daylight hours.

The initial costs of setting up the solar cells are very high.

The weather can also affect the efficiency of solar cells, as can surrounding pollution. This can be a major issue in polluted areas, such as large cities, where the electricity is needed.

Which of the following renewable power supplies would be able to produce electricity 24 hours a day?

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A) Wind power

B) Solar power

C) Geothermal power

D) All of the above

Question 1

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Question 1

Which of the following renewable power supplies would be able to produce electricity 24 hours a day?A) Wind power

B) Solar power

C) Geothermal power

D) All of the above

Which of these is an advantage of nuclear power compared to fossil fuel power?

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Question 2

A) Changes in oil and gas prices do not affect the cost of nuclear power

B) Nuclear power does not require fossil fuels

C) Carbon dioxide emissions are lower

D) All of the above

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Question 2

Which of these is an advantage of nuclear power compared to fossil fuel power?

A) Changes in oil and gas prices do not affect the cost of nuclear power

B) Nuclear power does not require fossil fuels

C) Carbon dioxide emissions are lower

D) All of the above

Which of these is a disadvantage of nuclear power compared to fossil fuel power?

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Question 3

A) The costs of storing and guarding the nuclear waste are high

B) Nuclear power produces more carbon dioxide emissions

C) Nuclear power can only be produced at nightD) All of the above

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Question 3

Which of these is a disadvantage of nuclear power compared to fossil fuel power?

A) The costs of storing and guarding the nuclear waste are high

B) Nuclear power produces more carbon dioxide emissions

C) Nuclear power can only be produced at nightD) All of the above

Which of the following is true about hydroelectric power?

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Question 4

A) Building a hydroelectric dam causes no damage to local ecosystems

B) No non-renewable resources are used in the running of the dam

C) Power is only produced at times of heavy rainfallD) All of the above

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Question 4

Which of the following is true about hydroelectric power?

A) Building a hydroelectric dam causes no damage to local ecosystems

B) No non-renewable resources are used in the running of the dam

C) Power is only produced at times of heavy rainfallD) All of the above

advantages and disadvantages of various energy sources

In this presentation you have seen:

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Summary