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Energy - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Photovoltaic
        
        In these power plants, solar radiation is directly transformed into electricity by panels of photovoltaic cells
      - Photo-thermal
        
        In this type of pwer plants, the heat from solar radiation produces steam that is used to move the rotor in the generator
  - - - Specific crops, such as sunflowers and sugar beet.
        
        Biomass is subjected to different physical and chemical processes in order to produce fuel, such as charcoal.
        The fuel is then burnt in the thermal plants, the steam generated moves the turbine
      - waste from agri-food industries.
      - Forestry and agricultural waste
  - - - The mechanical energy from the waves
        
        These power plants are still in the experimental phase and their level of
        production Is still very low.
      - The energy from the ocean's thermal gradient
      - The mechanical energy from the tides
- - - - An environmental study must also assess both the economic and social consequences of the project in the area, to decide whether or not to go ahead with the plan.
  - - - Electricity generation
        
        Large hydroelectric power plants require water reservoirs covering large areas, which profoundly changes the natural cycle of rivers,
        flood large land areas and destroy ecosystems
        
        Conventional thermal power plants can cause numerous problems
        and environmental hazards.
        
        They produce air pollution — suspended particles, CO, heavy
        metal molecules
        
        They emit large amounts of CO2 which increases the greenhouse
        effect.
        
        They emit sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide that causes acid
        rain
        
        1 more item...
        
        Nuclear thermal power plants are accompanied by the risk of
        nuclear accidents and the problem of nuclear waste
      - Fuel transport
        
        Oil is transported by means of oil pipelines and oil tankers. Oil pipelines can suffer accidents caused by nature or human error, which result in uncontrolled spills. Some
        spills have caused oil slicks that have taken years to clean up
      - Final energy use
        
        The fuels we use in vehicles and heating systems emit gases and
        particles similar to those generated by conventional thermal power plants.
      - Extraction of natural resources
        
        The exploitation of fossil fuels and nuclear power means the depletion of resources, which makes it necessary to find new ones
  - - - 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 ram
        
        Maintain and increase the size of large forested areas, since they absorb carbon dioxide.
  - - - Energy efficiency policies increase efficiency of everyday appliances and devices
        
        Noticeably reduce the energy we use
    - - use of renewable energy sources
        is fundamental
        
        objective is to produce a large part of our electricity through alternative power plants
    - - essential to reduce the consumption of all forms of energy — without seriously affecting quality of life
        
        adoption of more environmentally
        friendly habits
- - - - Electrical power plants use an external source of energy to produce electricity. To do this, they rely on a turbine-alternator system.
      - The turbine converts mechanical energy into the rotating movement of a shaft
      - An alternator has a fixed part, called a stator, and a moving part,
        called a rotor, connected to the turbine shaft
  - - - Transporting it by high voltage cables attached to towers
      - Decreasing the voltage at the electricity substations to 3-30 kV
      - Increasing the voltage to 220 000 V or 400 000 V to prevent signifcant energy loss, due to the Joule effect
      - Distribution to homes, offices, industnes and public facilities. During this stage, the voltage is reduced to 230-400 V.
- - - - Efectricity is generated as a result of two combined cycles, a cycle that uses air and gas, and a conventional thermal cycle. During the first cycle, a gas turbine is used that includes a compressor.
- - - - By origin
        
        Primary: obtained directly from nature
        
        Secondary: Resulting from transformation of primary sources
      - By use in each country
        
        Conventional: mostly used in industruliased countries
        
        Non-conventional: alternative energy sources, in early stages of their technological development
      - By availability in nature and capacity for regeneration
        
        Renewable: abundant and inexhaustible
        
        Non-renewable: may or may not be abundant and cannot be renewed in a short period of time
      - By environmental impact
        
        Clean: low environmental impact
        
        Pollutants: Sources that have negative effects on the environment