4.2 Renewable Energy: Wind & solar
|
|
Wind turbines in the countryside.
Renewable energy resources will never run out and they tend to be less damaging to the environment. This section and the next one will explore a variety of different renewable energy resources.
Wind Energy
Wind passing through a wind turbine will cause the blades to move. The blades are connected to a generator, which generates electricity. Kinetic energy from the wind creates electrical energy. The blades are attached to a tall tower as it is windier slightly above the ground than at ground level. Wind turbines have an expensive outlay but pay themselves back over time.
The advantage of wind power is that there is no pollution when it generates electricity. However, there is some pollution during the production of the wind turbines. Also, wind is renewable meaning that they will be able to generate electricity in the future. Wind turbines also have little effect on the landscape. If we want to remove them, the landscape will be unharmed and will look like the same as before the wind turbines were installed.
However, wind turbines are noisy and wind turbines can make a view look unsightly as they stick out of the land. This is why some wind turbines are being places off-shore, so that nobody’s view is affected (also, some off-shore areas are windier and will therefore be able to generate more electricity). The main negative of wind farms is that if there is no wind, then there is going to be no electricity generated. Furthermore, wind turbines cannot respond to more electricity demand as they can only generate electricity in accordance to how windy it is.
Wind Energy
Wind passing through a wind turbine will cause the blades to move. The blades are connected to a generator, which generates electricity. Kinetic energy from the wind creates electrical energy. The blades are attached to a tall tower as it is windier slightly above the ground than at ground level. Wind turbines have an expensive outlay but pay themselves back over time.
The advantage of wind power is that there is no pollution when it generates electricity. However, there is some pollution during the production of the wind turbines. Also, wind is renewable meaning that they will be able to generate electricity in the future. Wind turbines also have little effect on the landscape. If we want to remove them, the landscape will be unharmed and will look like the same as before the wind turbines were installed.
However, wind turbines are noisy and wind turbines can make a view look unsightly as they stick out of the land. This is why some wind turbines are being places off-shore, so that nobody’s view is affected (also, some off-shore areas are windier and will therefore be able to generate more electricity). The main negative of wind farms is that if there is no wind, then there is going to be no electricity generated. Furthermore, wind turbines cannot respond to more electricity demand as they can only generate electricity in accordance to how windy it is.
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 sun is also able to heat water through solar panels (no electricity is generated through solar panels).
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 sun is also able to heat water through solar panels (no electricity is generated through solar panels).
Solar cells used to generate electricity.
Solar Cells
Solar cells convert light energy into electrical energy. Solar cells are often used in calculators and watches as they require little energy. Solar cells are also used in remote places that do not have access to mains electricity. They can be used for road signs in the Australian outback. Solar cells are also used in satellites. Solar cells are used on many rooftops of people’s houses.
As solar cells use light energy, there is no pollution caused when generating electricity (except the pollution that is used to produce the solar cells). Solar energy is also a renewable energy type.
However, solar cells do not work at night as there is no light. Also, if it is not a sunny day then the amount of electricity produced would be less than a sunny day. Like with wind turbines, solar cells cannot respond to increased energy demand as the electricity that they produce is dependent on the amount of energy it receives (i.e. the amount of sunlight). Solar cells tend to be fairly inefficient and are an expensive way to generate electricity. However, as technologies improve, they may become more efficient and more financially viable.
Solar cells convert light energy into electrical energy. Solar cells are often used in calculators and watches as they require little energy. Solar cells are also used in remote places that do not have access to mains electricity. They can be used for road signs in the Australian outback. Solar cells are also used in satellites. Solar cells are used on many rooftops of people’s houses.
As solar cells use light energy, there is no pollution caused when generating electricity (except the pollution that is used to produce the solar cells). Solar energy is also a renewable energy type.
However, solar cells do not work at night as there is no light. Also, if it is not a sunny day then the amount of electricity produced would be less than a sunny day. Like with wind turbines, solar cells cannot respond to increased energy demand as the electricity that they produce is dependent on the amount of energy it receives (i.e. the amount of sunlight). Solar cells tend to be fairly inefficient and are an expensive way to generate electricity. However, as technologies improve, they may become more efficient and more financially viable.
A solar Panel that is used to heat water up.
Solar Panels
Solar panels are located on individual’s roofs. Cold water is pumped into the pipes that are on the solar panels. The water warms up whilst it is the pipes in the solar panel because of the heat energy from the sun. The solar panels are black so that they absorb as much energy as possible.
Like solar cells and wind, no polluting gases are produced when producing hot water. Pollution will only occur during the production of the panels. However, solar panels will only be able to produce hot water in sunny climates and in less sunny locations, water tanks will have to be supplemented with a conventional boiler. Furthermore, the temperature of the water will be dependent upon how sunny the day is.
Solar panels are located on individual’s roofs. Cold water is pumped into the pipes that are on the solar panels. The water warms up whilst it is the pipes in the solar panel because of the heat energy from the sun. The solar panels are black so that they absorb as much energy as possible.
Like solar cells and wind, no polluting gases are produced when producing hot water. Pollution will only occur during the production of the panels. However, solar panels will only be able to produce hot water in sunny climates and in less sunny locations, water tanks will have to be supplemented with a conventional boiler. Furthermore, the temperature of the water will be dependent upon how sunny the day is.