ENERGY
Where does our Energy
come from?
Where does our energy come
from for…?
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Electric light
Mobile phones
Power for your mp3
TV
Hot Water
Energy for these things come from
Energy Resources, that are converted
into energy that we can easily use.
Electricity is the main form of energy
that we use and can power or charge
what we need energy for.
Energy in Northern Ireland
There are 3 power stations:
1. Coolkeeragh Power Station, near
Londonderry. Uses gas to generate
electricity
2. Ballylumford Power Station, Island
Magee. Uses gas to generate electricity
3. Kilroot Power Station, Carrickfergus.
Uses coal to generate electricity
To generate electricity…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
You need an energy source, e.g. coal
This is burnt to produce heat or steam
The heat or steam then drives a turbine
The turbine then can drive a generator
The generator then produces electricity
The electricity is then transported in
cables to where it is needed
Energy Resources can be
divided into 2 categories:
1. Non-Renewable Resources
For example – coal, oil, gas, uranium or lignite
Once used these resources CANNOT be used again
2. Renewable Resources
For example – wind, water or solar
These resources can be used over and over again
Non-Renewable Resources:
COAL
What is it?
• Formed underground from decaying plant material
How much left in the world?
• About 200 years
Advantages?
• Plenty left
• Mining is getting more efficient
Disadvantages?
• Pollution: CO2 emissions (linked to global warming), SO2
(linked to acid rain)
• Heavy & bulky to transport
Non-Renewable Resources:
What is it?
OIL
• Formed underground from decaying animal and plant
material
How much left in the world?
• About 40 years!
Advantages?
• Quite easy to transport
• Efficient in producing energy
• Less pollution than coal
Disadvantages?
• Not much left
• Pollution: air and danger of water pollution through spills
Non-Renewable Resources:
NATURAL
GAS
What is it?
• Formed underground from decaying animal and plant
material
How much left in the world?
• About 60 years
Advantages?
• Clean, least polluting of all non-renewables
• Easy to transport
Disadvantages?
• Some air pollution
• Danger of explosions
Non-Renewable Resources:
NUCLEAR
What is it?
• Uses uranium, naturally found in some rocks
How much left in the world?
• Not known
Advantages?
• Not much waste and few CO2 emissions released, as
well as, few other greenhouse gases
Disadvantages?
• High cost to build and close down power stations.
• Waste is radioactive. Problem with getting rid of waste
safely
Non-Renewable Resources:
LIGNITE
What is it?
• Formed underground from decaying plant material
How much left in the world?
• In Northern Ireland, it is thought at least 30 years
(SOURCE: www.geographyinaction.co.uk/Issues/Lignite)
Advantages?
• For Northern Ireland: a local resource, good for
generating electricity
Disadvantages?
• Air pollution, scarring of landscape through open-cast
mining
• High moisture content
Why is the term, FOSSIL
FUEL used for coal, oil, gas and
lignite?
Renewable Resources:
WIND
What is it? It the movement of air from
high to low pressure
How much left? Endless
Advantages? No pollution
Disadvantages? Winds change all the
time, not predictable
Renewable Resources:
SOLAR
What is it? Energy from the sun
How much left? Endless
Advantages? No pollution, can be used
in remote areas
Disadvantages? Can be expensive,
needs sunlight
At night it doesn’t work
Renewable Resources:
BIO-ENERGY
What is it? Biomass and Biogas –
• fermented animal or plant waste
• vegetation from sustainable sources
How much left? Endless
Advantages? Good availability
Disadvantages? Can be expensive to set up
Renewable Resources:
HYDRO
What is it? Movement of water drives a
turbine
How much left? Endless
Advantages? No CO2 emissions, can control
flooding and provide a good water supply to
an area
Disadvantages? Large areas maybe flooded.
Visual and water pollution
Renewable Resources:
GEOTHERMAL
What is it? Heat from the ground – often
used to heat water
How much left? A lot
Advantages? No CO2 emissions
Disadvantages? Expensive and can only be
used in certain parts of the world
Renewable Resources:
WATER & TIDAL
What is it? Movement of sea drives turbines
How much left? Endless
Advantages? Can produce a lot of electricity,
no CO2 emissions
Disadvantages? Not many suitable sites
Renewable Energy is increasing
in Northern Ireland
TARGET: In Northern Ireland, 12% of
electricity generated by renewables by
2012
NOW: Wind energy supplies from
between 3-7% of our energy needs
Where does our Energy come
from?
• From renewable and non-renewable
energy sources
• Renewable energy sources are now
increasingly being used
• Renewable energy: The future of
energy, today!