EPISODE 3 – ENERGY
ELECTRICITY – BE PART OF THE
SOLUTION INSTEAD OF THE PROBLEM!
IS THE WORLD GOING TO END
LIKE THIS?
• What is the future if we do not take
responsibility for our planet?
• How could our use of energy cause this?
The purpose of this is for you to be an
independent learner!
The whole of this sub-topic of Global Futures,
Local Futures is on this presentation and you need
to take responsibility for getting the information
you will need for the end assessment. During the
presentation there will be a series of tasks for you
to do – when you see this smiley….
You also have a 2 sheets to complete to help you
examine the different types of energy and the best
option for our future. Remember, there are 2 – one for
renewable and one for non-renewable types of energy.
We have been studying
GLOBAL WARMING
and know that burning fossil fuels to produce electricity is
the biggest cause due to the carbon dioxide that it releases.
Click on the links below and complete the all the activities to
help remind you why we are doing this.
http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/486.htm
http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/484.htm
http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/657.htm
THE FUTURE
In order for us to do something about the GLOBAL problem
of temperature rise at a LOCAL level we need to either
1. find an ALTERNTIVE and cleaner more sustainable
way of producing electricity in this country
and
/ or
2. Reduce the amount of electricity we use in
our
homes, schools and businesses.
TASK ONE:
Put today’s date in your exercise book and the title,
“GLOBAL FUTURES, LOCAL FUTURES –
ENERGY AND ELECTRICITY”
Write a short paragraph to explain why we are going
to be studying energy and electricity. How does it
link to Global Warming and how does it fit into our
work on Global Futures and Local Futures?
Now research the meaning of the word
SUSTAINABLE and write a definition in
your book.
Watch this short video – in particular the first few
images to remind ourselves about how filthy we are
making our atmosphere by burning and through power
generation:
Click on the egg-timer to begin.
Here in 2007, in Lichfield and throughout the rest of the
world, yes this affects all of us everyday and will
continue to do so………..
We all use electricity by the bucket load every day
but producing it in power stations causes dreadful
pollution as fossil fuels have to be burnt in order to
produce it.
Fossil Fuels and Non-Renewable Energy –
WHAT ARE THEY?
Coal, oil and gas are called "fossil fuels" because they have been formed from the organic
remains of prehistoric plants and animals – in other words their dead bodies!!
Find out more about how they formed at www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter08.html
At the time this page was written, they provided around 66% of the world's electrical power, and
95% of the world's total energy demands (including heating, transport, electricity generation and
other uses). The problem here is how dirty they make the air when they are burnt and how much
pollution, particularly carbon dioxide they create in order to produce electricity.
Where Fossil Fuels Come From
There are three major forms of fossil fuels: coal, oil and natural gas. All three
were formed many hundreds of millions of years ago some even before the
time of the dinosaurs - hence the name fossil fuels.
Coal, oil and natural gas are also called NON-RENEWABLE forms of energy.
This is because they formed so long ago and the supplies we have are finite
– in other words once they’re gone they’re gone as it will take millions of
years again for any more to form.
Where are the world’s fossil fuels?
Task 2: Study the map carefully. Put the title above into your exercise
book and then rank (put into order) the 9 places on the map according
to how many reserves of fossil fuels they have. Start from the one with
the most and end with the one with the least.
So they are filthy dirty and they
are running out!
TASK 3:
(a) Write the meaning of the following terms into your books:
Fossil Fuels (name the 3 fossil fuels too)
Non-renewable energy
Finite
(b) Give 2 reasons why we should be looking for alternatives to
fossil fuels.
Non renewable energy
1. COAL
How does coal form?
How does coal make electricity?
1. Coal is pulverised (battered!)
into dust
2. Hot air blows coal dust into the
furnace
3. The dust burns like a gas and
boils the water
4. Superheated steam drives the
turbines
5. The generator produces
electricity
6. Steam is cooled and converted
into water by the condenser
7. The warm water is cooled by air
blowing through the tower
8. Water is recirculated to
maximise use
Some facts about coal and electricity
production……
• Coal is non-renewable
• Coal is found in: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern
Ireland, USA, India, China, South Africa, Australia,
Russia, Poland, Columbia and the Ukraine
• The UK has 17 major coal fired power stations
• There should be enough coal for use to use until the end
of the 22nd century.
COAL and electricity production – the
good, the bad and the ugly!
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Of using coal to generate electricity
Of using coal to generate electricity
Burning coal is the cheapest way of
generating electricity at the moment
Burning coal produces carbon
dioxide which is the main gas
responsible for global warming and
also sulphur dioxide which causes
acid rain.
Power stations can be built pretty
much anywhere there is a water
supply and good transport links
Coal is non-renewable so one day it
will run out
There are still plenty of coal
reserves left in the world
You need huge amounts of coal to
produce relatively small amounts of
electricity.
What else is coal used to produce?
So who is using
the most coal?
TASK 4:
Put the above title
into your book
and
(a) Describe what
each graph
shows
(b) Write 3
observations
about each
graph
(c) Write 3
questions
about the
information
given in the
graphs
(d) Is there
anything you
find strange
about the
graphs?
Non renewable energy
2. OIL AND PETROLEUM (Petrol)
How do they form?
Oil is another fossil fuel. It was also formed
more than 300 million years ago. Some
scientists say that tiny diatoms is the source of
oil. Diatoms are sea creatures the size of a pin
head. They do one thing just like plants; they
can convert sunlight directly into stored
energy.
In the graphic on the left, as the diatoms died
they fell to the sea floor (1). Here they were
buried under sediment and other rock (2). The
rock squeezed the diatoms and the energy in
their bodies could not escape. The carbon
eventually turned into oil under great pressure
and heat. As the earth changed and moved
and folded, pockets where oil and natural gas
can be found were formed (3).
Some facts about oil and electricity
production……
• Oil is a non-renewable form of
energy
• Oil is found mainly in the North
Sea
• There are 2 power stations in the
UK that use oil to generate
electricity
• Oil reserves should last into the
middle of the 21st century.
OIL and electricity production – the
good, the bad and the ugly!
ADVANTAGES
Of using oil to generate
electricity
Oil is easy to move by
pipeline or ship
Power stations can be
built pretty much
anywhere there is a water
supply and good transport
links
A large amount of energy
can be quickly produced
by one power station
DISADVANTAGES
Of using oil to generate electricity
Burning coal produces carbon
dioxide which is the main gas
responsible for global warming and
also sulphur dioxide which causes
acid rain.
Coal is non-renewable and reserves
of oil are running our really quickly
Using oil is very expensive
compared to coal and gas.
TASK 5:
Put the title, “Oil and Petroleum”
Make a sketch of this cartoon
Write a sentence to explain what the
cartoon shows
Now make up your own cartoon to
give the same message – sketch it
into your book.
TASK 6: The future for car drivers?
Put the title above into your book
Describe in your own words
what the cartoon show us
How realistic do you think this
cartoon is?
Do you think this could happen
in the future? Explain your
answer.
Non renewable energy
3. NATURAL GAS
How does it form?
• Gas is the remains of dead sea creatures
from millions of year ago
• The dead bodies sink, mix with sand and
mud and are buried beneath more sediment.
•This pressure creates kerogen which breaks
up over time creating natural gas.
•It is deep so hard to access.
So how from gas to electricity then?
First they need to get it out from underneath
the ground – or underneath the ground,
beneath the sea!
And then it’s off to the power station!
Gas is burned in a turbine like a jet engine on a plane, this
turns a generator creating electricity. There are 36 gas fired
power stations in the UK but only enough gas to last into the
mid 21st century. The UK imports most of its gas which is
why are bills are so expensive!
OPTION 1: Reducing the amount of
electricity that we all use…….
Complete the following activities
that will help you think about
saving electricity….
• http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/101.htm
• http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/111.htm
• http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/656.htm
Task 7: Put the title, ‘Saving energy’ into your book.
Draw an illustrated spider diagram to show how you
intend to reduce the amount of energy you and your
family use or waste at home!
OPTION 2: Finding alternative ways of
producing electricity that do not involve the
burning of fossil fuels so they are cleaner
and more sustainable.
The FUTURE could still be…. Non renewable energy
4. Nuclear Power!
Although this is a non-renewable
form of energy it is a realistic
option for our future electricity
production as it created from
uranium and we have lots of that!!
We already have 11 nuclear power
stations in the UK. However, as I
am sure you are aware nuclear
energy is not without its
issues…….
Nuclear energy -
8: Put this title,
then write out the
questions –
leaving space to
answer them, the
answers are in the
video!
1. What is it used
for?
2. What is nuclear
energy?
3. How is it made?
4. What are the waste
products?
click to watch the video.
5. What are their
possible
environmental
impact?
Nuclear explosions are something to
fear!
click to watch the video.
In 1986 there was an explosion at the
nuclear power station in Chernobyl
Watch this video – click on it.
Chernobyl affected a lot of people over
a very wide area…..
But is it all bad……?
•
•
•
ADVANTAGES
Of using nuclear power
DISADVANTAGES
Of using nuclear power
Uranium is cheap and
readily available and
nuclear fuel is easily
stored.
• It is unpopular because people
worry about how safe it is.
A small amount of
nuclear fuel produces a
large amount of electricity.
Nuclear power stations
do not produce any carbon
dioxide so do not
contribute to global
warming.
• Nuclear energy is non-renewable,
when the uranium runs out that will
be it.
• Making electricity creates nuclear
waste which is incredibly difficult to
get rid off.
•Nuclear power stations cannot be
switched on and off easily
•If there is an accident – its serious!
Watch this video to help you decide
whether nuclear power is a good idea or
not….
A Nuclear Future?
Is nuclear power the way to deal with increasing
energy demand? Get involved in the debate here.
http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/653.htm
Task 9: Put the title, “Is Nuclear Energy the way forward for us” into
your exercise books. Write 500 words explaining whether or not
you think that nuclear energy is a good idea for us or not. Set it out
like this:
•Introduction – say what nuclear power is
•Main body of your writing: deal with both sides of the argument,
mention the advantages and the disadvantages of its use
•Conclusion: say what your opinion is, do you think we should use
it or not and back your view up with some of the evidence that you
have mentioned.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY is the name we give
to energy we get from sources other than
fossil fuels.
It is RENEWABLE ENERGY as the sources
will not run out!
1. Hydro-electric power
Power created by water movement:
You can clearly see the power that the
water has and how it turns the turbine to
create electricity.
HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER – IS IT
THE FUTURE FOR ENERGY
SUPPLY?
• The cost of producing the
electricity is so cheap that it
is virtually free!!
•It does not produce any
carbon dioxide
•It relies on rainwater and we
get plenty of that!
•The dams are controlled to
produce as much or as little
electricity as we need so
none is wasted and we can
turn it up if we need more!
•The dams are incredibly
expensive to build
•People have to move so the
land can be flooded to make
the reservoir – animal
habitats are also lost
•The best sites are usually in
the mountains so miles
away from the towns that
need the water and energy
2. Wind power
Power created by the wind
Facts about wind energy….
• Wind turns the turbine around which then generate
electricity, even on a calm day there is enough
breeze to create some electricity
• Wind farms are located where its most windy either
high on hills or in the sea.
• It is totally renewable, clean (producing no carbon
dioxide) and cheap (about 5p for an hours
electricity)
• We have 135 wind farms in the UK and now you
can have mini wind turbines on your house!
WIND POWER - IS IT THE
FUTURE FOR ENERGY SUPPLY?
•Once the wind farm is built the
running costs are very low
•There is no release of carbon
dioxide
•The land around the wind turbine
can still be used for farming.
•It is a renewable form of energy –
the wind will not run out!
•The wind farms are safe and easy
to build.
•We cannot control the wind!
Wind turbines close down if the
wind is too gentle or too strong.
•They can only be built in certain
areas (sea or hills)
•People think they are ugly so
don’t want them built near their
homes
•They can kill birds who fly into
them.
Study these photos and the map below to
complete your sheet,
“Where to locate a new wind farm”
1
2
Anthorn
Burgh-by-sands
3
Allonby
4
Task 10:
5
Caldbeck fells
. Skiddaw
Site 1- Anthorn
Anthorn is a remote
village on the NW
Cumbrian coast. There
are already tall radio
masts here, which have
been used since
WWII.
Site Location Map- North Cumbria
1
Site 2- Burgh by
Sands
A coastal marsh on
the Estuary of the
River Eden near the
city of Carlisle.
2
3
5
Site 3- Allonby
A small coastal town.
Locals attractions of wild
coastline and wild horses
attract a few tourists. cafes
and campsite. Offshore
wind farm proposedshallow & windy!
Site 4- Skiddaw
One of the highest
mountains in the Lake
District National Park
overlooking
Bassenthwaite Lake,
A major tourist
Site 5- Caldbeck fells
4
Just outside the Lake
District National Park
the Caldbeck fells are
on high exposed land.
Remote although
access by many country
3. Solar power
Power created by the sun
Solar panels turn the suns light into heat and electricity, they are also used
to heat up water in the home. There are over 100 000 small solar heating
systems in the UK but very few houses have them as we don’t get enough
sun!! France, however, have a huge solar power station. It costs around
£6000 to have solar panels fitted but then it only costs 10p for an hours
electricity
SOLAR POWER - IS IT THE FUTURE
FOR ENERGY SUPPLY?
•Solar energy is renewable and
the suns light is free
•Solar energy has given people
electricity in remote areas where
there is no other source of energy
•No carbon dioxide is created
when using solar power to create
electricity
•There is no transporting of
energy – the power is created and
used in the same place.
•Solar panels do not work when
it is cloudy or in the night when
it is dark.
•The UK does not get enough
sun to make solar energy
possible here.
4. BIOMASS
Power created by plant and animal matter,
animal waste and human sewage
The plant, animal and human waste is burnt in a boiler to
produce steam which turns a turbine to create electricity.
Most UK power stations use some biomass and there are a
few that just use biomass to create electricity.
BIOMASS - IS IT THE FUTURE
FOR ENERGY SUPPLY?
•It is renewable – plants are
grown especially for this
•It supports farmers as it gives
them a market for their crops
•It is carbon neutral – it does
release carbon but this is
cancelled out because the
crops grown absorb carbon.
•It is a very expensive way of
producing electricity
•It does create carbon dioxide
•You are limited where you
can put the power stations as
they need to be near the
supply of biomass.
5. GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Power created by the earth’s underground heat.
It is incredibly hot beneath the ground and in some countries with volcanic
activity people can access this heat. They can use wells to heat their water
and steam from beneath the earth is also used to turn turbines and create
electricity. There are no geothermal power stations in the UK but there is
one in Southampton that supplies hot water.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY- IS IT THE
FUTURE FOR ENERGY SUPPLY?
•No air pollution is created
•Running costs for geothermal
power stations are really cheap
•It is renewable
•Finding sites for geothermal
power stations is very difficult
•Boreholes can get damaged if
they are over used and run out
off steam which then does not
re-appear for many year.
•Dangerous gases can escape
from the wells and boreholes.
•It is not an option for the UK.
1. Wave power –
power created by the sea
Waves have massive amounts of
energy and there are 2 ways (see
pictures) of trapping this energy to
turn turbines and produce
electricity. There are many devices
around the UK that are using wave
energy.
WAVE POWER - IS IT THE
FUTURE FOR ENERGY SUPPLY?
•The UK has much potential to
use this type of energy
•Wave power is more reliable
than wind or sun
•There is no carbon released
•It is renewable
• The devices that trap the
wave energy need to be really
strong due to storms
•If they are damaged its hard
to repair them as they are so
far out to sea.
7. TIDAL POWER
Power created by the sea
Tides have enormous of amounts of energy that can
be captured to create electricity. This happens best
in sheltered areas such as lagoons where water
cannot flow as easily (see above). There are several
different ways of trapping the energy and the UK is a
leader in using and developing tidal energy.
TIDAL POWER - IS IT THE
FUTURE FOR ENERGY SUPPLY?
• Tides are renewable and very
reliable
•After the power stations are built
the running costs are very low
•No carbon dioxide is release
•The UK has huge potential to use
this type of energy and it could
make a significant amount of
electricity from this source
• Energy can only be produced
when the tides are moving in or
out so about 20 hours a day
•The devices needed to trap
the energy are very expensive
to build.
Click on the links below and complete
the activities on types of energy.
http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/655.htm
http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/93.htm
http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/112.htm
http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/113.htm
http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/659.htm
Time to decide……
Task 11: Using all of the information that you have
gathered on both renewable and non renewable
forms of energy answer these questions……..
1.
2.
3.
Which form of renewable energy do you think
would be best for us here in the UK? Explain your
reasons carefully.
Which form of renewable energy do you think it
would be impossible for us to use here in the UK?
Explain your reasons carefully.
Do you think we will end up using renewable
forms of energy here in the UK in the future? Give
reasons for your answer.
So can we manage without it…..?
Our way of life has become increasingly dependent on electricity. It seems
that the electric meter on the side of the house is constantly
spinning. Electricity is a source of energy. If you use electricity, you are
probably using coal because coal generates most of our electricity -far more
than any other energy source. We have appliances and machines that
change electrical energy into other forms of energy, and then they do work
for us.
But what would it be like if the power was turned off and there was no
electricity? Would our lifestyle be just like the lifestyles of about a hundred
years ago? Would you be able to survive?
Task 12:
Write a paragraph explaining what would happen to life in your home if the
electricity was turned off. List what changes would have to be made - what
couldn’t you do!! Then write a second list to say what you would do instead.
And finally……
Task 13: ask your teacher for the following worksheet and
complete it!
My Two Hours Without Electricity Worksheet
Just remember – use energy thoughtfully……..