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P1 K) Renewable Energy Sources – Wind & Solar
P1 K) Renewable Energy Sources – Wind & Solar
Renewable energy sources will never run out and they tend to be less damaging to the environment. In this section, we are going to look at wind and solar.
Wind Energy
Wind passing through a wind turbine causes the blades to move. The blades are connected to a generator, which generates electricity when the blades move. The blades are attached to a tall tower because the wind is stronger off of the ground compared to ground level. Wind turbines have an expensive outlay but pay themselves back over time.
Wind passing through a wind turbine causes the blades to move. The blades are connected to a generator, which generates electricity when the blades move. The blades are attached to a tall tower because the wind is stronger off of the ground compared to ground level. Wind turbines have an expensive outlay but pay themselves back over time.
An advantage of wind power is that there is no pollution when the turbines generate electricity. However, there is some pollution during the production, transportation and installation of the wind turbines (getting the resources to make the wind turbines, transporting the wind turbines etc.). Also, wind is a renewable energy source meaning that we will always be able to generate electricity from the wind. Another positive is that wind turbines have little effect on the landscape. If we wanted to remove the wind turbines, the landscape will be unharmed and return to how it looked prior to the wind turbines being installed.
However, wind turbines are noisy and they can make a view look unsightly as they stick out of the land. This is why some wind turbines are being placed offshore (out at sea), so that no one’s view is affected by the turbines (also, most offshore areas are windier and will therefore be able to generate more electricity). The main negative of wind turbines is that electricity generation is dependent upon weather conditions (how windy it is) – if there is no wind, they cannot generate electricity. Also, they cannot respond to a change in electricity demand for the same reason.
Wind turbines have a high initial cost, but their running costs are quite small.
However, wind turbines are noisy and they can make a view look unsightly as they stick out of the land. This is why some wind turbines are being placed offshore (out at sea), so that no one’s view is affected by the turbines (also, most offshore areas are windier and will therefore be able to generate more electricity). The main negative of wind turbines is that electricity generation is dependent upon weather conditions (how windy it is) – if there is no wind, they cannot generate electricity. Also, they cannot respond to a change in electricity demand for the same reason.
Wind turbines have a high initial cost, but their running costs are quite small.
Solar Energy
There are two main ways that we can get useful energy from the sun. One way is to use solar cells to generate electricity. The other way is to use solar panels to heat water.
Solar Cells
Solar cells generate electricity from light energy. Solar cells are often used in calculators and watches as these items require little energy. Solar cells are also used in remote places that do not have access to mains electricity. For example, solar cells are used in road signs in certain locations in the UK. Solar cells are also used in satellites and they can be placed onto the rooves of people’s homes.
There are two main ways that we can get useful energy from the sun. One way is to use solar cells to generate electricity. The other way is to use solar panels to heat water.
Solar Cells
Solar cells generate electricity from light energy. Solar cells are often used in calculators and watches as these items require little energy. Solar cells are also used in remote places that do not have access to mains electricity. For example, solar cells are used in road signs in certain locations in the UK. Solar cells are also used in satellites and they can be placed onto the rooves of people’s homes.
Solar cells do not produce any pollution whilst they are generating electricity. However, there is some pollution from the production, transportation and installation of the solar cells (extracting the raw materials, the production process, delivering the solar cells etc). Another positive for solar cells is that it is a renewable energy resource.
However, like wind turbines, the electricity generation of solar cells is dependent on weather conditions – how sunny it is. For example, a solar cell will generate less electricity on a cloudy day compared to a sunny day. Also, solar cells do not work at night as there is no light. Another negative is that solar cells cannot respond to a change in electricity demand as electricity generation is dependent on weather conditions. The initial costs for solar cells are high, but the running costs are minimal. Also, the initial costs for solar cells are coming down over time, which will make them a more affordable way to generate electricity.
However, like wind turbines, the electricity generation of solar cells is dependent on weather conditions – how sunny it is. For example, a solar cell will generate less electricity on a cloudy day compared to a sunny day. Also, solar cells do not work at night as there is no light. Another negative is that solar cells cannot respond to a change in electricity demand as electricity generation is dependent on weather conditions. The initial costs for solar cells are high, but the running costs are minimal. Also, the initial costs for solar cells are coming down over time, which will make them a more affordable way to generate electricity.
Solar Panels
Solar panels are placed on the rooves of homes and they use the sun’s energy to heat water. Solar panels contain pipes and cold water is pumped into the pipes. Light/ infrared radiation from the sun is absorbed by the pipes, which results in the temperature of the water in the pipes increasing. The solar panels and pipes are black so that they absorb as much light energy/ infrared radiation as possible. The hot water is then pumped to radiators where it will heat up homes or is used as hot water in a home (for a shower or bath).
Solar panels are placed on the rooves of homes and they use the sun’s energy to heat water. Solar panels contain pipes and cold water is pumped into the pipes. Light/ infrared radiation from the sun is absorbed by the pipes, which results in the temperature of the water in the pipes increasing. The solar panels and pipes are black so that they absorb as much light energy/ infrared radiation as possible. The hot water is then pumped to radiators where it will heat up homes or is used as hot water in a home (for a shower or bath).
Like solar cells and wind turbines, no polluting gases are produced when the solar panels are producing hot water. However, there is some pollution during the production, transportation and installation of the solar panels. A negative of solar panels is that the amount of hot water that the solar panels produce is dependent on the quantity of sunlight that they receive.