Electricity production Generally (except for solar cells) a turbine is turned, which turns a generator, which produces electricity.

Fossil fuels

In electricity production they are burned, the heat is used to heat water to make steam, the moving steam turns a turbine etc.

Fossil fuels - Advantages Relatively cheap Can produce a lot of energy Variety of engines and devices use them directly and easily Easy to transport

Fossil fuels - Disadvantages Will run out (Non-renewable) Coal in particular produces acid rain Oil spillages etc. Contribute to the greenhouse effect by releasing greenhouse gases

Nuclear Fission

Heat Heat from nuclear fission is used to heat water, to make steam, which turns a turbine, which turns a generator, which makes electricity.

Nuclear power - Advantages High power output Large reserves of nuclear fuels No greenhouse gases No acid rain

Nuclear power - disadvantages Waste products dangerous and difficult to dispose of Major health hazard if there is an accident Produces material for Nuclear weapons Expensive to build and run

Solar Heaters Simply heat water

Solar Cells Produce electricity Technical name is a “Photovoltaic cell”

Solar power - advantages “Free” energy (once installed) Renewable No greenhouse gases No acid rain produced

Solar power - disadvantages Only works during the day Affected by cloudy weather Low power output Requires large areas Initial costs are high

Hydroelectric power

Water storage in lakes “High” water has GPE. As it falls this turns to KE, turns a turbine etc.

Hydroelectric - Advantages “Free” once built Renewable No greenhouse gases No acid rain Can be turned on rapidly, supplying a nationa grid with a rapid boost.

Hydroelectric - disadvantages Very dependent on location Drastic changes to environment (flooding) Initial costs very high

Tidal Tide trapped behind a tidal barrage. Water turns turbine etc.

Wind power

Wind power - advantages “Free” once built Renewable No greenhouse gases Ideal for remote locations No acid rain

Wind power - disadvantages Works only if there is wind! Low power output Unsightly (?) and noisy High maintainance costs

Wave power

OWC Oscillating water column

Wave power - Advantages “Free” once built Reasonable power Renewable No greenhouse gases No acid rain

Wave power - disadvantages Only in areas with large waves Waves are irregular Maintainance and installation costs high Transporting the power generated Must withstand storms/hurricanes

Geothermal energy

Wells are drilled into hot rocks beneath the earth’s surface Cold water is pumped down to the hot rocks Hot water/steam used to drive turbines, which turn generators, which produce electricity.

Advantages Renewable No greenhouse gases No acid rain “Free” energy once built

Disadvantages Expensive to build Not possible in all places

Weak Answers “Eco-friendly” “Green” “Sustainable” “Environmentally friendly” “Clean”

Nuclear fusion

In the centre of the sun, hydrogen is fused into helium. LARGE amounts of energy are produced.