Page |1
Generating Current Electricity: Complete the following summary table for each way that electrical energy is generated.
Generating Electrical Energy Using Moving Water:
Hydro-Electric Generation
Pros and Cons
Description/Diagram:
Pros:
Hydroelectricity is the most used renewable source of
electrical energy. To generate this electricity, dams are used
to contain water in one area. To meet the demands of
electricity, water is pumped differently throughout the dam.
When there is a low demand of electricity (e.g., Nighttime),
the water from the lake flows up into the reservoir to create
a higher elevation of water so when there is a higher
demand (e.g., Day), there is enough water to be sent to turn
the turbine, generate electron flow to a coil generator, and
send this current electricity through transmission lines, and
deliver large amounts of electricity to buildings and homes
across the area.
Rainwater that is collected from the reservoir can be used for
consumption of power, or supplying dry lands nearby.

Dams are built to be long term structures that can store water for several
years.

This energy does not pollute air or water as it substitutes the need of
burning fossil fuels, and does not produce smog, and/or acid rain.

Hydroelectricity is a renewable source of energy by using water that is
constantly replenished throughout the water cycle.

Fish ladders are created around the dam to prevent diverted water that
creates the ease of fish migration.
The sluice gates of a dam can conserve water for the times when electricity is
most needed.
To get a clearer understanding of how this electricity is
generated, visit this link below:
http://water.usgs.gov/edu/hyhowworks.html

Cons:

Rainwater that is collected from the reservoir can be used for
consumption of power, or supplying dry lands nearby.

Dams are built to be long term structures that can store water for several
years.

This energy does not pollute air or water as it substitutes the need of
burning fossil fuels, and does not produce smog, and/or acid rain.

Hydroelectricity is a renewable source of energy by using water that is
constantly replenished throughout the water cycle.

Fish ladders are created around the dam to prevent diverted water that
creates the ease of fish migration.
The sluice gates of a dam can conserve water for the times when electricity is
most needed.
Page |2
Generating Current Electricity Complete the following summary table for each way that electrical energy is generated.
Generating Electrical Energy Using Moving Water:
Tidal Generation
Description/Diagram:
Generating electrical energy using moving water is called tidal
energy. Tidal energy is the energy of fast flowing water. The energy
of fast flowing water can be used to rotate a water turbine. The tides
happen twice daily at specific times in a cycle. The cycle repeats
when the tide changes from low tide to high tide. The generating
machine is on for 5 hours and off for 7 hours. Tidal generation is a
renewable energy source.
http://technologystudent.com/energy1/tidal1.htm
Pros and Cons
Pros:
 It is a non-stop source of energy
 It doesn't produce greenhouse gases
 We can predict the rise and fall of tides because they repeat the
same every day
 Tidal Energy doesn’t require any kind of fuel to run
 The life span of tidal energy power plant is very long
 Using tidal sources to generate electrical energy produces no
pollution
 Tidal Energy plants are emission free
 It could potentially provide a storm barrier
 It can last 75-100 years
Cons:
 Cost of construction of tidal power plant is high.
 There are very few locations for construction of plant and they are
all coastal regions.
 Intensity of sea waves is unpredictable and there can be damage
to power generation units.
 The tides only happen twice a day so electricity can be produced
only for that time.
 The places where tidal energy is produced are usually far away
from the places where it is consumed.
 Tidal generating stations can only be built near coastlines that
experience significant changes in tides
 The tides can damage the Tidal Power plant
 If damaged, the cost to repair it is high

The marine life is badly affected
Page |3
Generating Current Electricity Complete the following summary table for each way that electrical energy is generated.
Generating Electrical Energy Using Steam:
Thermal Generation: Fossil Fuels
Pros and Cons
Description/Diagram:
Pros:
Burning fossil fuels is a relatively slow process. It’s the process of
heating water, which makes steam, which turns a turbine, which
powers the generator and creates electrical power. The fossil fuels
are what heat the water, because you are burning them with flame.
In this process there are many cons and fewer pros. One large con
would be that fossil fuels take millions of years to form but, a pro
would be that it is inexpensive, plentiful and produces a great
amount of energy.




Produces coal, oil and natural gases
Cheap and plentiful
Produces a great amount of energy
The income from the sale of the fuels can help a country’s
economy
 Safe
Cons:
 Fossil fuels take millions of years to form
 They are non-renewable resources
 When fossil fuels burn, carbon dioxide is released into the
atmosphere
 Increases the risk of greenhouse gases and climate change
 Creates air pollution and destroys natural habitats
 Raises environmental concerns
Page |4
Generating Current Electricity Complete the following summary table for each way that electrical energy is generated.
Generating Electrical Energy Using Steam:
Thermal Generation: Nuclear Energy
Description/Diagram:
1. In a nuclear reactor, fuel rods full of uranium pellets are placed in
water.
2. Inside the fuel rods, uranium atoms split, releasing energy.
3. This energy heats water, creating steam.
4. The steam moves through a turbine, which turns a generator to
create electricity.
5. The steam cools back into water, which can then be used over
again. At some nuclear power plants, extra heat is released from
a cooling tower.
A nuclear power plant is basically a steam power plant that is
fueled by uranium. The fuel is placed in a reactor and the atoms are
allowed to split apart. The splitting process, known as fission,
releases large amounts of energy. This energy is used to heat water
until it turns to steam.
After that process, the mechanics of a steam power plant take
over. The steam pushes on turbines, which force coils of wire to
interact with a magnetic field. This generates an electric current.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
 Lower carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere in power
generation.
 Low operating costs.
 Known, developed technology ready for market.
 Large power-generating capacity able to meet industrial and city
needs.
 Existing and future nuclear waste can be reduced through waste
recycling and reprocessing, similar to Japan and the EU
Cons:
 High construction costs due to complex radiation containment
systems and procedures.
 Subsidies and investment could be spent on other solutions (such
as renewable energy systems).
 Long construction time.
 Waste lasts 200 – 500 thousand years.
 The majority of known uranium around the world lies under land
controlled by tribes who don’t support it being mined from the
earth.
Page |5
Generating Current Electricity Complete the following summary table for each way that electrical energy is generated.
Generating Electrical Energy Using Steam:
Thermal Generation: Biomass
Pros and Cons
Description/Diagram:
Pros:
Biomass energy is any form of plant and/or animal matter. Some
examples are: wood, straw, manure and plant based oils. Biomass could
also include any biodegradable waste that could be burned. Biomass
energy is renewable because plants and animals are always making
waste and plants and crops are always being planted.




Renewable
Does not pollute the air
Reduces the amount of waste on Earth
Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
Cons:
 Large areas of land are needed in order to create enough
electricity to make biomass energy an efficient energy source
 Some materials are not available the whole year (like crop
waste)
 Requires massive amounts of space to set up
 Requires a large amount of water to recycle the wastes that
are produced
 Releases the highest level gases that contribute to global
warming
 May increase the amounts of nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere
Page |6
Generating Current Electricity Complete the following summary table for each way that electrical energy is generated.
Generating Electrical Energy Using Steam:
Pros and Cons
Thermal Generation: Geothermal
Description/Diagram:
Pros:
FACTS:
Geothermal energy is clean and safe for the surrounding
environment.
Geothermal energy is sustainable because hot water can be reinjected into the ground.
Geothermal energy is extremely price competitive in suitable areas.
Geothermal energy suitable areas aren't widely spread.
Geothermal energy is main energy source in Iceland.
Source: http://interestingenergyfacts.blogspot.ca/2008/03/geothermalenergy-facts.html




Geothermal Energy can be defined as heat from the Earth. This heat
is generated and collected into the Earth's core. Geothermal Energy is
known for being renewable. The heat that comes from the Earth's
core is unlimited and the Earth's core is always hot, never cold (it'll
never run out of heat). Geothermal Energy is used in many areas such
as - Italy, Iceland, New Zealand, Mexico, Japan, USA, Canada, and
many more countries.
Significant Cost Saving, Reduce Reliance on Fossil Fuels
No Pollution, Direct Use
Job Creation and Economic Benefits, Renewable
There is an enormous amount of thermal energy deep within the earth, that is replenished at a
very high rate. This amount is conservatively estimated to be higher than all the fossil fuels and
uranium combined.
 Geothermal energy is not susceptible to price fluctuation like crude oil.
 It is considered the most "green" of all renewable energy types, primarily because there are no
products of combustion like in all fossil fuel energy generation operations.
 The US government has offered tax credits for individuals who use the technology in their
homes. Yes, this means you can have one of the highest efficiency heating and cooling systems
in your own home for a discount!
 Lifetime costs of geothermal operations, both in residences and generation plants are smaller
than other types of energy.
Cons:
 Geothermal energy is found deep in the earth's core and because of this geothermal energy is
hard to access and hard to obtain.
 Geothermal generating stations must be built in areas where the temperature deep in the
ground is hot enough to produce steam.
 Geothermal energy has heavy upfront costs.
 The power plants for geothermal energy, rarely but still may, cause earthquakes.
 It's extremely important that the maintenance of a power plant for geothermal energy is well
taken care of because the water traveling through the pipes is extremely hot which means
they are very hazardous.
Page |7
Generating Current Electricity Complete the following summary table for each way that electrical energy is generated.
Generating Electrical Energy Using Wind:
Pros and Cons
Description/Diagram:
Pros:
A Wind Turbine is made up of large blades connected to a tall tower
and as the wind blows it turns the blades of the turbine. A Wind
Turbine can generate enough electricity for 250 Canadian home.
When many Wind Turbines are linked together on the same grid, a
large amount of electricity can be generated.
 Wind Turbines are very cheap to buy and maintain compared to
other generating stations
 Wind Turbines can be added and removed from the grid easily
 They do not cause air or water pollution
 Wind energy reduces our need for fossil fuels
Cons:






They can only work when there is wind
To power large things there needs to be many Wind Turbines
They make loud noises
They kill flying animals
Storms can cause damage to Wind Turbines
They can feed forest fires
Page |8
Generating Current Electricity Complete the following summary table for each way that electrical energy is generated.
Generating Electrical Energy from Light:
Description/Diagram:
Pros and Cons
Pros:






Does not produce any air or water pollution after installation.
Can operate independently off the power grid or connected to it.
Maintenance free when properly installed.
Can last more than forty years.
Not noisy like fossil fuels and some renewable fuels.
Installation is to remote locations, this is more cost effective than
high voltage wires.
 Initial cost may be overwhelming, but once installed, they provide
a free source of electricity, and this pays off over the coming years.
 Allows the users to become less dependent on the worlds fossil
fuels.
Cons:
 Only 30% efficient at converting electricity because of the
limitations of materials used to create solar panels.
 Can be expensive.
 After installation they do not produce any air or water pollution,
but when they are being manufactured and disposed of, they do
create water and air pollution.
 Do not produce a large amount of energy immediately.
 Each solar cell needs several hours of sunlight in order to produce
large amounts of electricity.
 Solar cells and installation are costly.
 Only able to generate power during daylight hours (half the day
they are not generating electricity)
 Weather can affect the efficiency of solar cells.