2.1.5

Renewable Energy - Water & Bio

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Hydroelectric Power & Biofuels

With hydroelectric power, water high above the ground is a store of gravitational potential energy. Hydroelectric dams trap water and allowing it to fall rotates a turbine, which turns a generator.

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Advantages and disadvantages of HEP

  • Advantages of hydroelectric power:
    • Renewable.
    • More reliable than wind and solar.
  • Disadvantages of hydroelectric power:
    • Hydroelectric dams often change the paths of rivers, which can move people out of houses and harm local wildlife.
    • Flooding of animals' habitats when dams are constructed, harming biodiversity.
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Advantages and disadvantages of biofuels

  • Advantages of biofuels:
    • Renewable and sustainable.
    • More reliable than wind and solar.
    • Can be made from other waste products, which is sustainable, renewable and efficient.
  • Disadvantages of biofuels:
    • Deforestation happens when clearing an area for biomass crops.
    • Growing biomass crops needs high water supplies.

Jump to other topics

1Physical Geography

1.1River Environments

1.2Coastal Environments

1.3Hazardous Environments - Tropical Cyclones

1.4Hazardous Environments - Earthquakes & Volcanoes

2Human Geography

3Global Issues

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