Renewable Energy Basics
Which type of energy comes from the sun?
Solar Energy.
Choose one type of renewable energy and explain why it is suitable for Wales specifically.
Example: wave/tidal energy --> a lot of coastline with strong waves
Which part of the ocean has the most powerful waves for energy generation: near the shore or in deep water?
Deep water.
What is the name of the device that we built last lesson?
Wave Turbine (Oscillating Water Column)
True of False: Solar panels can still produce energy when it is cloudy.
True
Which type of energy comes from the heat at the core of the Earth?
Geothermal Energy
Was is one benefit of renewable energy for Wales?
Job creation or energy independence.
What is one disadvantage of using a device that collects wave energy?
Hard to maintain, corrosion due to saltwater, may harm marine life.
What is the spinning component of our wave turbine called (made with toothpick and paper)?
A turbine.
True or False: Wave/tidal energy depends on the gravitational pull of the sun.
False
Why are renewable energy sources called "renewable"?
They replenish naturally or our infinitely available.
What is one new project being built in Wales to use renewable energy?
Example: Offshore wind farm in Pembrokeshire (Gwynt Glas).
What is one environmental challenge that a wave energy device must be able to survive?
Strong currents, storms, marine growth.
You built a wave turbine and it didn't work. You try turning the turbine with your hand and it doesn't move easily. What could be one thing that you could check or change to try to fix your wave turbine?
Check the orientation of the pins, make sure the paper turbine blades do not bump into the cap, ...
Solar panels are made of what shiny material that helps capture sunlight?
Silicon.
Which renewable energy comes from agricultural waste, amongst other things?
Biomass Energy
Which part of Wales has invested in offshore wind farms?
Pembrokeshire
What is the device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy called?
A generator.
What happens to the energy output of our wave turbine if the height of the waves start to increase?
More energy is collected or energy output increases.
What is world’s largest source of renewable energy?
Hydro Energy
Name all six forms of renewable energy that we reviewed in class.
Wind, Tidal, Solar, Hydro, Geothermal, Biomass.
How much money has Wales invested in renewable energy by 2035?
£47 billion
What is the term for the up-and-down motion of waves that wave energy devices harness?
Oscillation.
Explain how the wave turbine that we built works.
As the water level rises in the bottle, the air is forced through the small hole in the cap which creates fast moving air that spins the turbine.
How many wind turbines are there in the UK?
more than 11,000 wind turbines