Renewable Energy Sources

1A2 Geography29th September 2014

Topics for today’s class…

• Why do we need to develop renewable sources of energy?

• How many types of renewable energy sources are there?

• Which is the most popular source of renewable energy in Ireland?

• Will we be getting homework today?

Why do we need to develop renewable sources of energy?

• Electricity generated by burning fossil fuels.• Coal, peat, oil and gas.• Finite/ non-renewable.• Conserve fossil fuels• Make greater use of renewable energy

resources.• Environmental benefits

How many types of renewable energy sources are there?

• Several, including:Hydroelectric Power (HEP)Solar EnergyGeothermal EnergyTidal EnergyWind Energy

Hydroelectric Power

• Force of falling water turns turbines – generating electricity.

• Examples include Inniscarra Dam.

• 1953• ESB• 19 MW

Solar Energy

• Heat.• Light.• Captured by solar cells

in solar panels.• Electricity

Geothermal Energy

• Water heated when pumped deep into Earth’s crust.

• Pumped back to surface – heats homes.• Steam turns turbines – generating electricity.• Iceland.

Geothermal Energy Iceland

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRAQrDduaU0

Tidal Energy

• Tides rise and fall.• Turbines turn.• Electricity generated.

Which is the most popular source of renewable energy in Ireland?

• What do you think?

Wind Energy

• Moving wind turns turbines – electricity generated.

• Popular.• Turbines very big.• “Wind Farms.”• Built out at sea – windy,

prevents visual pollution.• Many examples in

Ireland.

Homework

• Page 23.• Question 6, parts (i) (ii) & (iii).• To be completed for tomorrow’s class.