Renewable energy resources
Wind TurbinesHow does a wind turbine work?
A wind turbine is a very simple concept, it uses a turbine and generator to allow some energy to power houses. A collection of turbines is called a wind farm this generates a larger amount of energy to power house on a bigger scale. The wind turns the blades (there can be either 2 or 3), then the power is collected in the ‘substation. A substation is a building which keeps the electricity until it is needed. They help to distribute the energy to the houses when it is needed. The taller the turbine the more energy can be collected. Energy changes involved? Kinetic > Kinetic > Electrical Advantages:
Where is it used? It is used pretty much anywhere, on flat land, on hills and even in deserted areas. HydroelectricHow does hydroelectric energy work?
A dam is built which creates a build up of the water behind the dam. When the water is allowed thorough the tunnels the water turns the turbines which then turns the generator which produce electricity. The water stored behind the dam is known as a reservoir. Hydroelectric power is produced in a similar way to coal-power electricity. Energy changes involved? Kinetic > Kinetic > Electrical Advantages:
Where is it used? It is used mainly in coastal areas, where maybe dams are already built, uses the reservoir to create power. BiomassHow does biomass energy work?
To produce biomass power, the producers take rapidly growing plants or animal waste and then they burn it to produce energy. It is the oldest source of energy known. The original energy comes from the sun to make the plants grow. The plants used to produce electricity are plants that take a short time to re-grow. When the plants and animal waste is burnt they turn back into carbon dioxide and water. Energy changes involved? Thermal > Chemical > Chemical > Thermal Advantages:
Where is it used? It is used all over the world but it can be converted to a liquid, gas or fuel and then transported around the world. |
TidalHow does tidal energy work?
Tidal energy works by the changing sea levels, these are called tides. There are 2 different type of tidal energy, Tidal turbines and Tidal barrages. Tidal turbines work by using a similar technology to wind turbines, except the blades are smaller and much stronger, the water turns the turbines. Tidal barrages work like a dam but on a smaller scale. The water is pushed through the tube which turns a turbine inside. It is normally built on a rivers estuary. Energy changes involved? Kinetic > Kinetic > Electrical Advantages:
Where is it used? It is used in areas with tidal current e.g. UK, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, South America, Korea, China and France. GeothermalHow does geothermal power work?
There are two types of geothermal power, volcanic and hot rocks, volcanic power occurs when the heat from the volcano heats up water naturally, therefore it produces steam as the water evaporates and turns a turbine just like in a power station. In places where rocks are hot but no steam rises from the surface, a huge, deep well is dug and cold water is pumped down onto the hot rocks which then produces steam which rises to the surface. Energy changes involved? Thermal > Kinetic > Electrical Advantages:
Where is it used? Volcanic areas such as Iceland, California and Italy are used to produce energy. WaveHow does wave energy work?
At the power stations the waves that naturally occur normally cause the water to rise for a brief amount of time then the water level returns to normal. The level of water pushes air in and out of the chamber holes which are located at the top and bottom. The air turns the turbine which therefore turns a generator and it produces energy. Energy changes involved? Kinetic > Electrical Advantages:
Where is it used? It is used mainly in coastal areas, where the waves are regular, this could be in the sea on on the coast line. SolarHow does solar energy work?
Solar energy only works because of cells called "solar cells", these cells convert light energy directly into electrical energy. Solar panels are NOT used to generate electricity directly, however they do heat up up water which is transferred to a storage tank. A pump pumps cold water from a storage tank to the solar panel which heats up the water via the sun and then the warm water returns to the tank. Energy changes involved? Light > Heat > Kinetic > Electrical Advantages:
Where is it used? Solar cells are used on most day to day objects such as calculators, parking meters and many more but solar panels are much bigger and are placed on buildings to receive then sunlight. |