5.6 energy

renewable resources are ones that are not depleted because nature replenishes them repeatedly a non renewable resource is also natural but takes a while to replenish

A: can be used over and over, unlimited quantity, no harmful emissions and therefore non-polluting, low production D: high maintenance costs, lower production quantity, not always reliable (weather or diurnal reliant)

A: low maintenance cost, large production quantity, not weather or diurnal dependent D: single use, limited quantity and therefore will end, emission of harmful gases and hence polluting, high production cost

amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere as a result of anthropogenic activities (as exemplified by water and electricity bills). They’re not easily measured

any activity that absorbs GHG for example tree planting

do not overconsume (for example by buying excessive clothes), buying locally produced food

reducing or removing carbon dioxide production / release into the atmosphere it is important and necessary since carbon dioxide is a GHG causing global warming and climate change and is the main product from combustion of fossil fuels

in a nuclear reactor, fuel rods of uranium pellets are placed in water inside the fuel rods, uranium atoms split this energy heats water, creating steam the steam moves through a turbine which turns the generator to create energy the steam cools back into water which can be used over again

power plants don’t burn fossil fuels so they don’t produce greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, however resources such as uranium can be depleted an therefore it is non renewable. There is also the issue of disposal of waste

a nuclear accident can release dangerous levels of radiation (referred to as a plume) over a certain area plume can settle and contaminate an area such as its buildings, food, water, livestock can bring health issues if radioactive material enters the body and therefore people living in or near a contaminated area experience long term health issues such as cancer

Three Man Island Accident in the US (1979) Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine (1986) Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan (2011)

they are formed as a result of decomposition of dead remains of organisms (plants for coal, animals and plants for fuel) buried under layers of sediment in the earth’s crust

the spontaneous emission of radiation

solar energy is energy produced by the sun active: PV panel systems (which last for around 25 years) for electricity and water heaters passive: double glazing and and orientation of buildings (windows in the east and west)

to generate electricity by using wind turbines

water is kept in a reservoir before being released in a controlled way through a valve as to collect kinetic energy

displacement of organisms disruption of a habitat and formation of a new ecosystem interruption of the natural flow of rivers

turbines are set a short distance from the coast to harness energy from flowing tides and begin to turn. that energy is collected which produces

energy captured from the waves by buoys which propels turbines and generate electricity

heat produced deep in the earth’s core. it is reliable and longevity in its infrastructure but it is location dependant (only in iceland and scandinavia)

energy resources that have been produced by biological processes sufficient recently that they can be renewable such as fuel wood which is produced from trees, biogas produced from anaerobic digestion of organic waste such as CH4, bioethenal produced from sugarcanes and corn, biodiesel from cooking oil