3.1.20

Renewable Energy - Air & Ground

Test yourself

Generating Electricity From the Air and Ground

Because fossil fuels are running out, we are constantly finding ‘greener’ methods of producing electricity. We can use energy resources above and below the ground to do it.

Illustrative background for WindIllustrative background for Wind ?? "content

Wind

  • Wind turbines convert kinetic energy from the wind into electricity.
  • Positives:
    • No carbon dioxide produced.
  • Negatives:
    • Can be an eyesore (look ugly).
    • Wind speed fluctuates through the day and year so the turbines may not work at peak times.
Illustrative background for SolarIllustrative background for Solar ?? "content

Solar

  • Energy from the Sun is converted into electricity.
  • The Sun’s energy is captured in photovoltaic (PV) cells.
  • These cells should not be confused with solar water heating cells (solar cells) that use the Sun’s energy to heat up water in your homes.
  • Positives:
    • No carbon dioxide produced.
    • Reduces electricity bills.
    • Renewable.
  • Negatives:
    • Not always sunny.
    • A high cost of installation and maintenance.
Illustrative background for GeothermalIllustrative background for Geothermal ?? "content

Geothermal

  • Deep underground in volcanic regions, ‘hot’ rocks heat up water.
  • These rocks are hot because of radioactive processes.
  • Water is pumped down over the rocks.
  • The water gains thermal energy and turns to steam, which then turns a turbine.
  • Positives:
    • No carbon dioxide produced.
    • Renewable as the water is reused.
  • Negatives:
    • Expensive to set up a station.
    • They can only be located in areas of volcanic activity.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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