Energy assessment for Japan

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Assessment 1 

Energy and the Environment

Solar energy:

Solar energy have no moving parts to wear out.

It uses no fossil fuels and don’t  need maintenance.

But it isn’t efficient in places where people rarely have sun. Britain is a good example, it only sees about three months of sun each year. That’s hardly enough to make solar power pack a punch.

There is no pollution from solar cells, and sunlight is free. However, the solar cells are expensive and do not produce enough power. Photovoltaic (solar) cells would be excellent to power a car. However, photovoltaic cells are not efficient enough to power a family car. 

It doesn't work at night. They’re also very expensive to build. Solar cells cost a great deal compared to the amount of electricity they'll produce in their lifetime. Can be unreliable unless you're in a very sunny climate.

Solar station

In California, the Solar One power station uses the Sun's heat to make steam, and drive a generator to make electricity. It was made in California because it a country that sees plenty of sunlight to really made solar energy kick in. Solar One was very expensive to build, but as fossil fuels run out and become more expensive, solar power stations may become a better option.

Wind energy

Wind turbines are kinder to the environment than other power schemes. For example, they don’t produce any harmful waste. However, people have voiced two main objections to them: noise and appearance.

Some people feel that wind farms are ugly and destroy beautiful views of the countryside but the towers themselves take up very little space at ground level.Wind is free, wind farms need no fuel.

It produces no waste or greenhouse gases. The land beneath can usually still be used for farming.
Wind farms can be tourist attractions. A good method of supplying energy to remote areas.

The wind is not always predictable - some days have no wind.

Suitable areas for wind farms are often near the coast, where land is expensive. Some people feel that covering the landscape with these towers is unsightly. The moving arms can kill birds - migrating flocks tend to like strong winds. Splat! It can also affect television reception if you live nearby.

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The best places for wind farms are in coastal areas, at the tops of rounded hills, open plains and gaps in mountains - places where the wind is strong and reliable. To be worthwhile, you need an average wind speed of around 25 km/h. Most wind farms in the UK are in Cornwall or Wales.

Isolated places such as farms may have their own wind generators. In California, several "wind farms" supply electricity to homes around Los Angeles.

Nuclear energy

Nuclear power is generated using Uranium, which is a ...

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