3.1.21

Renewable Energy - Water

Test yourself

Electricity From Water

Because fossil fuels are running out, we are constantly finding ‘greener’ methods of producing electricity. Water covers 70% of the Earth’s surface and it can be used to generate electricity.

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Hydroelectric

  • Hydroelectric accounts for around 70% of all renewable methods of generating electricity.
  • Hydroelectric dams are built to store water. This water has gravitational potential energy stored.
  • When water is released through the penstock, it turns a turbine that in turn turns a generator.
  • Positives:
    • No carbon dioxide produced.
    • Renewable.
    • Can open up the penstock quickly if needed.
  • Negatives:
    • May cause large scale flooding of land.
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Tidal

  • Electricity is generated from the tides.
  • As the tides move in and out, the water turns a turbine.
  • Positives:
    • No carbon dioxide is produced.
    • Renewable.
    • Reliable.
  • Negatives:
    • Eye sore (ugly).
    • Possibility of damage during storms.
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Wave

  • Electricity is generated from waves.
    • As waves move up and down, a device on the surface of the ocean transforms the kinetic energy into electrical energy.
  • Electricity can be generated from waves close to the shore.
    • Waves are forced into a chamber with a hole in the top.
    • As the wave enters the chamber it forces air out which turns a turbine.
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Wave cont.

  • Positives:
    • No carbon dioxide produced.
    • Renewable.
    • Reliable.
  • Negatives:
    • Eyesore (ugly).
    • Possibility of damage during storms.

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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