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ENERGY - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Primary
        
        Obtained directly from nature
      - Secondary
        
        Resulting from tansformation of primary sources
    - - Conventional
        
        Most commonly used in industrialised countries
      - Non-conventional
        
        In early stages of their technological development
        
        Solar and wind power belong to this group
        
        Alternative energy sources
    - - Renewable
        
        Abundant and inexhaustible
      - Non-renewable
        
        Depleted when we use them up
        
        Cannot be renewed in a short period of time
        
        May or may not be abundant
    - - Clear or non-polluting
        
        Low environmental impact
        
        Don't generate by-products that pollute the environment
      - Pollutants
        
        Sources that have negative effects on the environment, for example, they might generate by-products that severely pollute the environment
- - - - The turbine converts mechanical energy into the rotating movement of a shaft
      - An alternator has a fixed part (stator) and a moving part (rotor), connected to the turbine shaft
  - - - Increasing the voltage to 220 000 V or 400 000 V to prevent significant energy loss
      - Transporting it by high voltage cables attached to towers
      - Decreasing the voltage at the electricity substations to 3-30 kV
      - Distribution to homes, offices, industries and public facilities (voltage reduced to 230-400 V)
- - - - The mechanical energy of the waves
      - The energy from the ocean's thermal gradient
      - The mechanical energy from the tides
- - - - The exploitation of fossil fuels and nuclear power means the depletion of resources, which makes it necessary to find new ones
    - - Oil pipelines can suffer accidents caused by nature or human error, which result in uncontrolled spills
      - Oil tankers can have accidents at sea, with the risk of oil spills
    - - Conventional thermal power plants: can cause numerous problems and environmental hazards
        
        They emit sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide (acid rain)
        
        The water used in the cooling system is returned to the environment while it's still warm
        
        They produce large amounts of CO2
        
        Air pollution (they produce suspended particles, CO, heavy metal molecules...)
      - Nuclear thermal power plants: are accompanied by the risk of nuclear accidents and the problem of nuclear waste
      - Large hydroelectric power plants: require water reservoirs covering large areas
  - - - Install special filters on the pipes at the power plant to capture some of the gas pollutants
      - Use coal with a low sulphur content, to reduce acid rain
      - Maintain and increase the size of large forested area, since they absorb carbon dioxide
  - - - Use of renewable energy sources is fundamental
      - Objective is to produce a large part of our electricity through alternative power plants
    - - Adoption of more environmentally friendly habits
      - Examples: using public transport or bicycles, changing consumption habits
      - Essential to reduce the consumption of all forms of energy - without seriously affecting quality of life
    - - Noticeably reduce the energy we consume
      - Examples: low fuel consumption cars, electric cars, better home insulation
      - Energy efficiency policies increase efficency of everyday appliances and devices