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12.1 sustainable energy resources notes part 4
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notes on unit 12.1 for environmental management
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Environmental Management12.1 Sustainable Energy Resources
Sustainability: is how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time.
Long-lived and healthy wetlands and forests are examples of sustainable biological
system
Renewable energy: energy that comes from resources which are continually
replenished on a human timescale such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves and
geothermal heat
Non-renewable energy: comes from sources that will run out or will not be
replenished in our lifestyles – or even in many, many lifetimes e.g. fossil fuels,
uranium
Energy budget: an accounting of the income, use, and loss of energy especially in
an ecosystem
Fossil fuel: a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the
remains of living organisms
Hydroelectric power: term referring to electricity generated by hydropower, the
production of electrical power through the use of gravitational force of falling or
flowing water
Solar energy: energy from sunlight is captured in
solar panels and converted into electricity
Bio fuels: a fuel derived immediately from living
matter e.g. crops, plants, and animal waste
Tidal power: a form of hydropower that converts
the energy of tides into useful forms of power
Wind power: power obtained by harnessing the
energy of the wind
Nuclear power: electric or motive power generated by a nuclear reactor
Technology: the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially
in industry
The different types of energy
- There are many forms of energy (heat, electrical, light, chemical etc.)
- Energy can be classified into two forms (primary or secondary)
- Primary energy is released from a direct source (heat from burning coal)
- When primary energy is converted into a different form it becomes secondary
energy (the burning coal is used to generate electricity)
, Primary energy resources can be both renewable and non-renewable
Renewable resources
- A resource is renewable if it can be replenished at a similar rate to which its
used
- Also referred to as flow resources there’s a constant transfer occurring, which is
balanced correctly will be sustainable
- Tidal, wind and solar energy are examples
Non-renewable
- A resource that can run out and cant be replaced in the foreseeable future
- Also referred to as stock resources as the planet has a limited stock, which
when used cant be replaced
- Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy)
Renewable resources
Type Positives Negatives
Biomass Biomass is always and Biomass energy is not as
widely available as a efficient as fossil fuels
renewable source of energy. It is not entirely clean
It is carbon neutral. Can lead to
deforestation.
It reduces the overreliance Biomass plants require a
of fossil fuels. lot of space.
Is less expensive than fossil
fuels.
Biomass production adds a
revenue source for
manufacturers..
Less garbage in landfills.
Tidal energy Tidal energy facilities have Tidal energy facilities
lower operational costs. must guard against
Tidal energy facilities offer corrosion.
efficient energy production Tidal energy facilities are
ratings. always under the threat
Tidal energy facilities have a of damage.
longer useful lifespan. Tidal energy facilities
Tidal energy generates power must account for “king”
with minimal water tides.
movements. Tidal energy facilities can
Tidal energy offers a change the structure of
predictable resource for the water.
power. Tidal energy facilities can
Tidal energy is a proven alter the regular patterns
power generation resource of water movement.
Tidal energy is a 100% Tidal energy facilities are
renewable resource, not cheap to create.
Tidal energy does not
create a lot of electricity.
Tidal energy facilities
may create unknown
environmental
consequences.
Water power (similar Provides water for 30-30% of Destabilizes marine
to tidal energy) the world’s irrigated land ecosystems
Provides 19% of electricity Dam building is very
Expands irrigation costly
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