Wind, Solar and Geothermal

• These are examples of renewable energy resources
• Wind farms = lots of wind turbines in exposed places
• Each turbine has a generator = rotating blades turn generator = electricity produced
• No pollution
• Spoil the view as lots of wind turbines needed to replace non-renewable energy resources
• Can be very noisy
• Impossible to increase supply of energy when in high demand as wind may stop blowing
• Initial costs are high
• No fuel costs and minimal running costs
• No permanent damage to the landscape if turbines are removed
• Solar cells = generate current directly from sunlight . (ideal for watches and calculator batteries as don’t require a lot of electricity)
• Often used in distant places
• No pollution (but lot of energy required to manufacture firstly)
• They are only reliable in the daylight
• Can’t increase energy supply when there is a high demand
• Like wind farms, initial costs are high but after running costs arelow and the energy is free
• Geothermal power= energy in underground thermal energy stores
• Possible in areas which havehot rocks near to the surface or in volcanic areas
• Source of energy = slow decay of radioactive elements deep inside the earth
• Free energy, which is reliable and do not damage the environment a huge amount
• They can directly generate electricity or heat buildings
• But, aren’t very many suitable locations
• Cost is high to build a power plant