Research on Energy Resources

3.5.4

Coal Fired Power Stations

Coal-fired power stations are responsible for the diffusion of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere must be carefully balanced to maintain the greenhouse effect, which is what keeps the surface of the earth warm enough to support life. Like all things in nature a change in one part of the environment can result in changes in another.

The effect of increased greenhouse gases in the environment is that the temperature of the atmosphere is expected to increase. It is predicted by some scientists that this temperature increase could result in the following:

The destruction of ecosystems such as the Great Barrier Reef.
A change in the world's weather patterns, resulting in an increase in both intensity and frequency of storms, cyclones, floods and droughts.
The melting of glaciers and polar ice.
Rising sea levels resulting in the permanent flooding of vast areas.
Economies may be affected by the destruction of crops and industry.

The effects of global warming is of such great concern that many nations agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Mining the coal that is to be used in the generation of electricity results in the destruction of the environment. Water systems can be threatened from the run-off as a result of the washing of coal.

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Hydroelectricity

Hydroelectric power plants are the most efficient electricity generators. They produce no greenhouse gases and are an ideal way to store electricity. However, building hydroelectric plants can have serious consequences for both the environment and people. However damming an area normally results in the flooding of the surroundings.

Solar power

Solar power generators produce no greenhouse gas emissions or other pollutants. Solar cells and solar thermal generators use the sun as their source of energy, however their manufacture can impact on the environment.

Mining the sand required for the manufacture of photovoltaic cells can ...

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Hydroelectricity

Solar power

Mining the sand required for the manufacture of photovoltaic cells can severely damage the extraction area and have serious consequences for the environment.

One advantage of solar power generation is that it is modular and can be established anywhere.

Wind power

The use of wind turbines is another way to produce energy without greenhouse gas emissions. The environmental effects of wind farms are:

Land - The locating of a site for wind farms must take into account any sacred or environmentally sensitive sites. Wind turbines can be placed on land used for agriculture in such a way that it does not interfere with day-to-day operations. Farmers can produce electricity as a secondary source of income.
Visual Impact - The visual impact of wind farms is difficult to avoid. However, careful planning that takes into account such things as the placement of wind farms, ensuring that all the generators are the same and that the blades all rotate in the same direction, can help reduce their negative visual impact. It is worth noting that a coal-fired power station is also not visually pleasing.
Noise - Wind farms are usually located some distance from residential properties and therefore noise is not usually a problem.

Tidal power

Research into the environmental impacts of tidal power is limited. There is concern that the use of tidal power can result in the silting up of waterways and fish are killed as they swim through the turbine blades.

3.5.5

Coal-fired Power Stations

Advantages

Coal is a relatively cheap source of energy.
Electricity supply is reliable.

Disadvantages

Coal is not a renewable resource.
During the production of electricity carbon dioxide is released, increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide are also produced in these emissions and can produce acid rain.
Mining coal damages the environment.
Coal-fired power stations create pollution.

Hydroelectricity

Advantages

Hydroelectricity is a renewable energy resource.
Hydroelectricity is one the most efficient energy sources because most of the kinetic energy of the water is converted to electrical energy.
No greenhouse gases or other dangerous gases are produced so there is no damage of this kind to the environment.
No fuel is needed; therefore, the price of hydroelectricity will not change if the price of fuel increases.
Electricity can be generated almost straight away compared to coal-fired power stations, which take several hours to start.
Hydroelectric plants only need a turbine and generator.

Disadvantages

The construction of hydroelectric plants is expensive.
Hydroelectric plants are site specific. You can't build them just anywhere.
The construction of hydroelectric plants usually means that areas of land will be flooded.

Solar Power

Advantages

Solar energy is a renewable resource.
Sunlight is free.
Solar power does not produce dangerous gases.
Solar cells convert sunlight directly to electricity.
Solar power can provide electricity to remote areas that are not connected to the electricity grid.

Disadvantages

Energy collected from solar cells or solar collectors has to be stored in batteries.
Thermal solar systems used for electricity production are expensive.
Solar collectors can take up a lot of area.
Weather conditions affect the performance of solar collectors.

Wind Power

Advantages

Wind energy is an indirect form of solar energy and therefore is free.
It is a renewable energy resource.
There are no dangerous emissions.
Wind power can be used in remote areas.
Wind power can be used in conjunction with other renewable energy resources such as solar energy.

Disadvantages

Wind turbines need to be built in areas where there is a reliable source of wind.
The wind speed can be too fast or slow which means that electricity is not produced. Also the wind does not blow all the time.
Wind farms can be a visual eyesore and may create excess noise.
Wind turbines can be expensive to maintain.

Tidal Power

Advantages