Geothermal
energy
energy
Is geothermal energy renewable?
Yes
Is nuclear energy renewable?
Nuclear energy is renewable, but the required fuel(uranium/U-235) is non-renewable.
Is natural gas renewable?
No
Is biomass energy renewable?
Yes
Is petroleum renewable?
No
How is geothermal energy produced?
Geothermal energy is the heat that comes from the sub-surface of the earth. Wells are dug into underground reservoirs to access the steam and hot water which can be used to generate electricity.
How is nuclear energy produced?
When atoms are split during nuclear reactions, the energy contained within the core or nucleus inside is released.
How is natural gas produced?
Natural gas was formed millions of years ago when heat and pressure transformed decaying plant and animal matter buried in sedimentary rock layers.
How is biomass energy produced?
Wood, landfill gas, alcohol fuels, crops and garbage are converted to heat and fuels using different methods(such as burning).
How is petroleum produced?
Formed from the remains of ancient marine organisms, which transformed into carbon-rich substances by mixing with other sediments and undergoing high temperature and pressure.
List out 2 pros and 2 cons of geothermal energy.
Pros
-Environmentally Friendly
-Renewable
-huge potential as the number of exploitable sites will increase
-sustainable and stable
-reliable
-no fuel required
Cons
-location restricted
-gases stored under the ground may leak
-earthquake
-high cost
- management is required to maintain sustainability
List out 2 pros and 2 cons of nuclear energy.
Pros
-carbon-free
-high density of electricity production
-adjustable rate of electricity production
-low operation cost
-provides job opportunities
Cons:
-radioactive byproducts and waste
-used fuel must be stored in containers filled with cool water
-risks of nuclear accidents
-generally restricted in more developed countries as the construction of reactores requires high level of technology, education, money and fuel
List out 2 pros and 2 cons of natural gas.
Pros
-produce less soot
-abundant supply
-safer and easier to store
-infrastructure in place
-cheaper
-easy transportation
-minimize dependency on foreign oil
Cons
-highly inflammable
-greenhouse gas emissions
-non renewable
-not easy to use
-expensive pipelines
List out 2 pros and 2 cons of biomass energy.
Pros
-the source can regrow quickly and are always available
-trees and crops that are purposely planted can absorb carbon dioxide
-some sources can be planted on marginal land
-energy (stored in organisms) can be obtained only when it is needed
Cons:
-risks of being non-renewable when biomass sources don’t regrow quickly
-requires land to develop sources
-low density of energy production
List out 2 pros and 2 cons of petroleum.
Pros
-easy to extract
-high density of energy production
-can be transported over long distances
-wide usage
-high stability
Cons
-contributes dangerous gases
-there are limited resources
-toxic refinement process
-high temperature causes nitrogen to oxidize and thus forming acid rain
-spills can happen during transportation
-triggers political conflicts
What makes a good site of geothermal electric development?
Hot geothermal fluid with low mineral and gas content, shallow aquifers for producing and reinjecting the fluid, location on private land to simplify permitting, proximity to existing transmission lines or load, and availability of make-up water for evaporative cooling.
Explain how the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine affected the world.
Through wind and precipitation, fallout was spread worldwide, which destroyed the environment and food chains.
Explain why natural gas consumption is expected to increase globally in the next decade.
A larger population and rising living standards mean our world requires more energy to power applications from lighting, to home appliances, global e-commerce and digital services.
Explain how biomass energy can improve the global living quality.
Its market of wood pellets encourages forest owners to maintain good land use, which helps deforestation. It is also especially beneficial to developing countries because it doesn’t have strict requirements on land and operation.
How can oil rigs benefit the marine ecosystem?
Offshore oil platforms can act as artificial reefs that support algae, coral, oysters, and attract marine animals. This builds a thriving ecosystem.
How can geothermal energy affect the environment?
changes in land use associated with exploration and plant construction, noise and sight pollution, the discharge of water and gases, the production of foul odours, and soil subsidence.
Predict the future outlook of nuclear energy.
Its importance will surge along with the increasing demand of both electricity supply and reduction of air pollution.
Natural gas is a fossil fuel, so why is it better to burn than other fossil fuels like coal and oil?
Burning natural gas does result in some nitrogen oxides as well as carbon dioxide, but in much lower quantities (nearly half!) compared to when coal or oil is burned. This is due to the fact that natural gas is less chemically complex than other fossil fuels.
How can the harvesting of wood help the environment?
If dead wood is harvested, carbon dioxide can be prevented from being released again from the dead wood, and bacteria and fungi will be prevented from growing from the rotten dead wood.
What are the impacts of over-exploiting petroleum?
This affects the carbon balance of the Earth, and thus affecting the quality of our air, water, and overall climate.