Advantages and disadvantages of energy resources

Transcription

1 and disadvantages of energy resources

2 Rela%vely cheap and plen%ful Fossil fuels (advantages) Advanced technologies have beeb developed to allow safe extrac%on Technology for their use already exists (e.g. combus%on engine) Technology for controlling pollu%on from these fuels also exists At present, no other energy source is close to replacing the amount of energy generated by fossil fuels Oil and natural gas can be delivered over long distances by pipelines

3 Fossil fuels (disadvantages) Most important contributors to build- up of CO 2 in atmosphere (global warming) Use is unsustainable Will become increasingly difficult to extract Extrac%on may become more poten%ally dangerous as mines get deeper and oil- rigs are placed further out to sea Oil spillages from tankers and burst pipelines can severely damage natural ecosystems Very expensive to clear up pollu%on caused by oil spills Open- cast mining clears habitat from the surface and can cause extensive environmental damage Coal no easily transported over long distances

4 Nuclear power (advantages) No contribu%on to global warming (no CO 2 emissions) Availability of technology Generates large amounts of electricity Very efficient in comparision to fossil fuels

5 Nuclear power (disadvantages) Radioac%ve waste extremely dangerous and remains so for thousands of years. Disposal s%ll unresolved problem High associated risks (Chernobyl, Fukushima) Uranium is scarce and non- renewable years to plan and build a new nuclear power plant

6 Renewables: Hydroelectric power No greenhouse gases or chemicals (acid rain) release Dams can be used for leisure and irriga%on It is cheap to run HEP plants Technology not available on a large scale Loca%ons available ouen limited by poli%cs Loss of habitats, farmland and people displacement because of flooding Sediment flow restricted thereby affec%ng ecosystems or farming downstream Disrup%on of natural river systems may lead to increased erosion rates downstream High building costs

7 Renewables: Tidal power No greenhouse gases or chemicals (acid rain) release A good %dal range required to generate sufficient energy Right shape of coastline required to channel water through turbines Instala%ons may interfere with naviga%on Instala%ons may have impact on wildlife Expensive to set up and maintain

8 Renewables: Solar energy No greenhouse gases or chemicals (acid rain) release Passive solar energy much cheaper for hea%ng homes than fossil fuels At present is very expensive to turn solar energy into high- quality energy needed for manufacturing (compared to using fossil fuels) Usefulness limited in northern hemisphere during winter

9 Renewables: Wind power No greenhouse gases or chemicals (acid rain) release Depends on available wind (no wind, no energy) Placement of turbines is cri%cal May have impact on wildlife

10 Renewables: Biofuel Produces emissions Requires large amounts of land to grow biofuel crops Biofuel crops may take up land once used for growing food Biofuel crops ouen planted at the expense of natural ecosystems

11 Renewables: Wastes Readily available No natural capital deple%on Produce emissions

12 Renewables: Geothermal energy No greenhouse gases or chemicals (acid rain) release Not widespread source of energy Can run out of steam Suited to a par%cular region May release harmful gases May not be easily transported