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Renewable Energy

Design & Technology: AQA GCSE, topic 1.2.2

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is created from natural sources that can be replenished.

Renewable energy

Renewable energy

  • Renewable energy is created from natural sources that can be replenished.
  • Renewable resources can be replaced as they run out.
  • It is a cleaner way to create energy.
Types of renewable energy

Types of renewable energy

  • The main types of renewable energy are:
    • Wind.
    • Solar.
    • Tidal.
    • Hydro-electrical.
    • Biomass.
Wind power

Wind power

  • Wind turbines use a generator to convert movement from the wind into electricity.
  • Wind turbines can be used in wind farms where lots of turbines gather electricity or on a smaller scale on private land.
  • They can be used in remote locations providing power.
Disadvantages of wind power

Disadvantages of wind power

  • The disadvantages of wind turbines:
    • They will only work in windy conditions.
    • They make a noise.
    • They can disturb or harm wildlife.
    • They are large and some people do not like how they look.
Solar power

Solar power

  • Photovoltaic cells convert energy from the sun’s rays into electricity.
  • Photovoltaic cells can be used in solar farms where lots of sheets gather electricity or on a smaller scale on private houses.
  • They are expensive to set up, however they need little maintenance.
  • They can be used in remote locations providing power.
Disadvantages of solar power

Disadvantages of solar power

  • The disadvantages of photovoltaic cells:
    • They will only work in sunny conditions.
    • They need to be angled towards the sun’s rays.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is created from natural sources that can be replenished.

Tidal power

Tidal power

  • The movement of turbines in the water use a generator to convert movement from the tide or waves into electricity.
  • It is a very consistent and predictable form of renewable energy
Disadvantages of tidal

Disadvantages of tidal

  • The disadvantages of tidal power:
    • Expensive to build.
    • Difficult to access for maintenance and repair.
    • They can disturb or harm sea life.
    • They can change the movement of water and this could lead to erosion of coastlines.
Hydro-electrical power (HEP)

Hydro-electrical power (HEP)

  • A reservoir of water is created with a dam. The dam controls the flow of water out of the reservoir.
  • As the water flows out of the reservoir, it turns turbines that use a generator to convert movement into electricity.
  • The reservoir is refilled when it rains or when the water can be pumped back in. This flow of water can be increased on demand.
Disadvantages of HEP

Disadvantages of HEP

  • The disadvantages of Hydro-electrical power (HEP) are:
    • It can disturb or harm wildlife.
    • Expensive to build.
    • Destroys the natural environment.
Biomass

Biomass

  • Waste material from animals and plants contains stored energy from the sun.
  • The biofuel is burnt to generate heat and power turbines that generate electricity.
Disadvantages biomass

Disadvantages biomass

  • Burning biomass creates carbon emissions.
  • Biomass crops can be farmed which needs areas of land. This results in:
    • Deforestation, which can disturb or harm wildlife.
    • Less food crops being grown in areas where food may be scarce.
    • Water being used to feed crops in areas where water may be scarce.

Test yourself on Renewable Energy

  • Which of these is NOT a renewable source of energy?

  • What does HEP stand for in relation to renewable energy?

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