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P1 M) Renewable Energy Sources – Geothermal & Biofuels
P1 M) Renewable Energy Sources – Geothermal & Biofuels
We are going to look at geothermal energy and biofuels in this section.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy can be used to either generate electricity or heat water that can be used in homes (for either central heating [radiators] or hot water for showers). Geothermal energy can only be used in volcanic areas where there are hot rocks a few miles below the earth’s surface. Water is pumped underground past the hot rocks, which increases the temperature of the water (the water may even become steam). The hot water and steam is then pumped back to the surface. When generating electricity, the hot water and steam are used to turn turbines, which are connected to generators, thus generating electricity. When the hot water is used for homes, the hot water is pumped directly to homes.
Geothermal energy can be used to either generate electricity or heat water that can be used in homes (for either central heating [radiators] or hot water for showers). Geothermal energy can only be used in volcanic areas where there are hot rocks a few miles below the earth’s surface. Water is pumped underground past the hot rocks, which increases the temperature of the water (the water may even become steam). The hot water and steam is then pumped back to the surface. When generating electricity, the hot water and steam are used to turn turbines, which are connected to generators, thus generating electricity. When the hot water is used for homes, the hot water is pumped directly to homes.
There is little environmental impact of using geothermal energy and it is a fairly reliable source of generating electricity and heating homes.
However, there are very few suitable locations around the world where it can be used; some examples of places where geothermal energy is used is Iceland, New Zealand and the United States. Also, the cost of building geothermal power plants is very expensive compared to the amount of energy that it generates
However, there are very few suitable locations around the world where it can be used; some examples of places where geothermal energy is used is Iceland, New Zealand and the United States. Also, the cost of building geothermal power plants is very expensive compared to the amount of energy that it generates
Biofuels
Biofuels are produced from plant materials or animal waste. We can use biofuels to run power stations or fuel cars. Biofuels can be solid (wood and straw), liquids (ethanol and biodiesel) and gases (methane).
Biofuels are produced from plant materials or animal waste. We can use biofuels to run power stations or fuel cars. Biofuels can be solid (wood and straw), liquids (ethanol and biodiesel) and gases (methane).
Biofuels are renewable resources as they can be grown fairly quickly. They are supposedly carbon neutral as they release the same quantity of carbon dioxide when burnt as they absorbed during photosynthesis. However, this is only true if we plant crops at the same rate that we are using them for biofuels.
However, there are some negatives. The growing of plants for biofuels takes up land that could have been used to grow crops for food. This could potentially lead to food shortages or increases in food prices. Alternatively, the growing of biofuels could lead to more deforestation/ the destruction of habitats so that more land is available for both food and biofuels. The land that has been cleared to grow crops for biofuels is usually burnt, which releases vast quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. There is also a human resource issue as more labour is needed for the production of biofuels than conventional fossil fuels. This is because biofuels require labour during planting, maintaining (watering and fertilising), harvesting and processing the biofuels. Normal fossil fuels are just pumped directly out of the ground.
However, there are some negatives. The growing of plants for biofuels takes up land that could have been used to grow crops for food. This could potentially lead to food shortages or increases in food prices. Alternatively, the growing of biofuels could lead to more deforestation/ the destruction of habitats so that more land is available for both food and biofuels. The land that has been cleared to grow crops for biofuels is usually burnt, which releases vast quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. There is also a human resource issue as more labour is needed for the production of biofuels than conventional fossil fuels. This is because biofuels require labour during planting, maintaining (watering and fertilising), harvesting and processing the biofuels. Normal fossil fuels are just pumped directly out of the ground.