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Natural Resources (Renewable Energy (Wind Energy (Wind is a renewable…
Natural Resources
Renewable Energy
Wind Energy
Wind is a renewable energy source and it is free. Wind farms need no fuel, so there are no fuel costs.
Wind turbines are found in groups in farms, generating more electricity.
Wind turbines potentially provides an infinite energy supply, as the wind will not just disappear. No harmful pollution gases are produced.
Some days there is no wind, so it is not always predictable. Wind is less reliable than other sources of energy as it is intermittent.
The electricity produced also depends on the strength of the wind- so if there is no wind, no electricity is generated. It also ruins the beauty of the landscape.
Wind farms are pretty noisy, disturbing the countryside, as it may spoil the view of it. The manufacture and implementation of the wind turbines and farms can be costly.
When the wind blows the blades turn around. This turns the generator on and produces electricity. The wind turbines (modern windmills) turn the wind energy into electricity. The turbines are sometimes used in large numbers, found in a windy location- which is called a wind turbine farm or field.
Wind turbines usually have natural gas or other back-up generators. Wind turbines have huge blades which are mounted on a tall tower. Theses blades are connected to a nacelle, or housing, that contains gears that are linked to a generator. As the wind blows, it transfers some of its kinetic energy to the blades, which turn and drive the generator.
Solar Energy
The sun can provide a potentially finite supply of solar energy. Single dwellings and households can generate their own electricity using solar panels. Provides a clean and abundant supply of energy. A substantially reduced impact on the environment.
The manufacture and implementation of solar panels can be expensive. In winter, when the sun doesn’t shine for as long and the daylight hours are shorter, less electricity is generated. Solar cells on panels contain toxic chemicals, so hey need to be replaced immediately if broken.
Solar panels absorb the energy irradiated by the sun converting the light into electricity or by heating up water that is used to heat up our homes.
Energy from the sunlight is captured using solar panels and is converted into electricity. Solar energy can also be used by mirrors to boil water which creates steam for heat or to turn turbines, producing electricity.
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Geothermal Energy
This steam is usually used for heating or to power turbines, creating electricity.
It provides a potentially finite energy supply. Used successfully in placed New Zealand. It is generally considered environmentally friendly, with less pollution being produced.
In volcanic regions, it is possible to use the natural heat of the earth, with cold water being pumped underground and coming out as steam.
The geothermal reservoirs are naturally replenished. Harnessing geothermal energy does not involve any fuels. Geothermal energy is also available everywhere. It is the cheapest form of energy available.
Geothermal power comes from heat deep with the Earth. It is used in countries where there is volcanic activity.
All areas might not have volcanic activity. It can be expensive to set up- total costs of exploration and drilling of new reservoirs can be from $2-7 million! Geothermal and volcanic activity might calm down, leaving some power stations redundant.
Dangerous elements found underground when harnessing geothermal energy must be disposed carefully. Geothermal power is only sustainable if the reservoirs are properly managed. Green house gases can be leaked into the environment.
Non-Renewable Energy
Natural Gas
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Furthermore, Natural gases are unnoticeable if leaked as they are colourless, odourless and tasteless.
Burning natural gas produces less harmful gases than other fossil fuels such as coal. It is quite reliable as source of energy.
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Oil
Oil is easy and cheap to store, and it is much cleaner to burn than coal.
Furthermore, oil is often reliable as a source of energy.
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As oil is burned, many harmful gases can be produced. Greenhouse gases also harm the environment.
Oil also has a limited supply, so will eventually run out. The burning process can eventually result in acid rain.
It is cleaner than coal, but not as clean as natural gases.
Most oil is found in the Middle East and countries with plentiful oil are sometimes politically unstable as it is bought in abundance buy other suppliers.
Coal
Formed from fossilised plants and consisting of carbon with various organic and some inorganic compounds.
Mined from seams of coal, found sandwiched between layers of rock in the earth.
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Coal as a supply usually last for a longer period (in comparison to oil and gas). Coal is quite cheap as a fossil fuel, and is also quite cheap to convert to fuel and energy, which you can use. .
Coal is in abundance around the world. It is safe to convert into energy in comparison with other energy sources such as nuclear energy.
Unlike some forms of energy sources, it is not dependent on other factors such as weather – coal is a very reliable source of energy
As you burn coal, it forms harmful gases, which are not environmentally friendly. Greenhouses gases are created and can also cause an increase in pollution.
To obtain coal in the first place, workers must put their life at risk as most of the time coal is found underground, where they can develop lung disease and other illnesses.
Mining coal also can lead to landslides and sometimes in deforestation. Furthermore, coal only has a limited supply, and with the rate of us using coal, it will run out soon.
Recyclable Energy
Nuclear Energy
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Electricity is generated from the energy that is released when the atoms of these minerals are split (by nuclear fission) in nuclear reactors.
You can use a small amount of radioactive material, and will get a lot of of energy.
Most of the time, pollution and greenhouse gases are not produced., such as carbon dioxide.
Nuclear energy is non-renewable so eventually it will also run out. The nuclear reactors needed for it to be converted into energy are extremely expensive.
Nuclear waste is produced, which is very harmful and can last for hundreds of years. This nuclear waste can only be dealt with by storing it but that is also very expensive in itself.
There can be incidents when the land is no longer hospitable. For example, there have been nuclear accidents in Chernobyl and Fukushima, where thousands have died.
Wood
Obtained from felling trees, burned to generate heat and light.
Wood is a very cheap source of energy. If it is managed, then wood can be a long-term, sustainable source of energy.
If the trees are not replaced then it would eventually run out. Animals’ habitats and wildlife would be damaged.
Biomass
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It can also be an organic material which is burned to provide energy, e.g. heat, or electricity.
An example of biomass energy is oil seed rape (yellow flowers you see in the UK in summer), which produces oil.
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Biomass is quite cheap as a source of energy. Biomass does not produce as much harmful gases as some fossil fuels.
Despite being non-renewable, it can easily be managed and sustained. Biomass can therefore, be a long-term source of energy.
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For crops to grow a lot of money and effort has to be spent to grow their plants -e.g. watering the plants, lands has to be fertile and good to grow crops on.
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