Alternative Energy IB SL

Solar Power Energy from the sun is clean, renewable and abundant. The amount of energy received by the earth in 30 minutes is the equivalent to all the power used by all humans in 1 year. In the UK, solar energy falling on buildings could meet two-thirds of electricity needs.

Solar Power: Pros Vs Cons Solar energy is free - it needs no fuel and produces no waste or pollution. Doesn't work at night. In sunny countries, solar power can be used where there is no easy way to get electricity to a remote place. Very expensive to build solar power stations, although the cost is coming down as technology improves. In the meantime, solar cells cost a great deal compared to the amount of electricity they'll produce in their lifetime. Handy for low-power uses such as solar powered garden lights and battery chargers, or for helping your home energy bills. Can be unreliable unless you're in a very sunny climate. In the United Kingdom, solar power isn't much use for high-power applications, as you need a large area of solar panels to get a decent amount of power. However, technology has now reached the point where it can make a big difference to your home fuel bills.

Wind Power Good for small-scale production. Needs an exposed site such as a hillside, flat land or proximity to the coast. It also requires strong, reliable winds.

Wind Power: Pros Vs Cons Wind is free, wind farms need no fuel. The wind is not always predictable - some days have no wind. Produces no waste or greenhouse gases. Suitable areas for wind farms are often near the coast, where land is expensive. The land beneath can usually still be used for farming. Some people feel that covering the landscape with these towers is unsightly. Wind farms can be tourist attractions. Can kill birds - migrating flocks tend to like strong winds. However, this is rare, and we tend not to build wind farms on migratory routes anyway. A good method of supplying energy to remote areas. Can affect television reception if you live nearby. Can be noisy.

Tidal Power A renewable clean energy source. Requires a funnel-shaped estuary. Needs a large tidal range. Large-scale production of tidal energy is limited.

Tidal Power: Pros Vs Cons Once you've built it, tidal power is free. A barrage across an estuary is very expensive to build, and affects a very wide area - the environment is changed for many miles upstream and downstream. Many birds rely on the tide uncovering the mud flats so that they can feed. Fish can't migrate, unless "fish ladders" are installed. It produces no greenhouse gases or other waste. Only provides power for around 10 hours each day, when the tide is actually moving in or out. It needs no fuel. There are few suitable sites for tidal barrages. It produces electricity reliably. Not expensive to maintain. Tides are totally predictable. Offshore turbines and vertical-axis turbines are not ruinously expensive to build and do not have a large environmental impact.

Activity There are pros and cons to all fuels whether they’re renewable or non-renewable... Choose 1 alternative fuel and discuss why it is best in terms of cost, use, and social, economic, and environmental benefits. Examine and explain the reasons for the increased use of alternative fuels. Compare the alternative fuel you have discussed above to any fossil fuel of your choice.