1. Renewable Energy IB SL

2. Does the UK need alternative energy supplies?
energy sources (UK 2003)

3. Renewable energy sources
These will not run out because they can be regenerated. Examples are wind power, solar power, tidal power and biomass.
Charcoal - a fuel produced from wood (biomass)
Only 1% of the UK’s energy comes from these sources. Can you think of a reason why?

4. Why isn’t solar energy popular in the UK?
Photovoltaic cells are made of the abundant element silicon.
Photovoltaic cells have low maintenance costs.
Photovoltaic cells are silent.
Solar panels
Why isn’t solar energy popular in the UK?

5. Advantages of wind energy
Wind farms create jobs in rural areas.
Wind fuel is free.
Wind farms can be constructed in a few months (thermal power stations take between 6-10 years to complete).
cooling towers
Wind power can be developed on a small scale.

6. Wind energy - the disadvantages
In theory, the UK could generate all its electricity from wind farms covering approximately 1% of the land.
But the problems are wind turbine design and cost.
Rotor blades can be damaged in strong and turbulent winds.
It takes 30 wind farms to generate the same amount of electricity as one coal-fired power station. The setting up costs for wind farms are therefore more expensive than for traditional, fossil fuel power stations.
Some people also consider the wind farms as visually unattractive and noisy.
What are the advantages of wind energy?

7. Tidal energy
Energy is generated by the tidal rise and fall. The tides come in and pass through holes in a dam wall. The water is then trapped in a river estuary. Then the tide ebbs and passes back through the barrage, driving the turbines and producing electricity.
Tidal energy is generated at La Rance in western France.
A suitable site in Britain would be the River Severn. This barrage would cost between £3 billion and £9 billion and be able to generate between 5% and 10% of Britain’s total electricity demand.

8. Wave energy
The island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland has had a Limpet (land-installed marine-powered energy transformer) constructed, which should provide a reliable electricity supply for the 3,400 residents. A 25-metre notch has been cut into Islay’s south west facing cliffs at Portnahaven into which a wave chamber has been inserted. The waves rise and fall in this wave chamber compressing the air and so driving the turbines which power the generators.
turbo generator
Why has the wave chamber been placed on the south west of the island?
high tide
low tide
incoming waves

9. Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is obtained from heated rocks and molten magma under the Earth’s surface.
geothermal plant
Hot water
Cold Water
fractured rock

10. Geothermal energy is generated extensively in tectonic areas, such as Iceland and New Zealand.
Why is this the case?
Plate Map

11. Match the statement with the energy source
heat produced by rocks under the Earth’s surface
water stored in dams is released through turbines to generate electricity
located on the coast with a chamber facing the prevailing wind
mirrors concentrate the sun’s rays onto water-filled black pipes
powered by a man-made barrage, usually found across an estuary
often located in exposed areas such as mountainous regions
located on the coast with a chamber facing the prevailing wind
Wave
often located in exposed areas such as mountainous regions
Solar
mirrors concentrate the sun’s rays onto water-filled black pipes
HEP
heat produced by rocks under the Earth’s surface
Tidal
Answers appear on click
powered by a man-made barrage, usually found across an estuary
Wind
Geothermal
water stored in dams is released through turbines to generate electricity

12. Activity
Using Geography An Integrated Approach P , copy and complete the following table...
Energy Source
Picture
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Wind
Solar
Wave
Tidal
Geothermal
Biomass
Fuelwood