World Energy Sources: Note Sheet

Fill out the following table using the information your classmates provided as a starting point.

Fossil Fuels: Coal / Fossil Fuels: Natural Gas and Oil
Advantages
Disadvantages
Approximate efficiency
Solar Power / Wind Power
Advantages
Disadvantages
Approximate efficiency
Tidal Power / Wave Power
Advantages
Disadvantages
Approximate efficiency
Geothermal Power / Hydroelectric Power
Advantages
Disadvantages
Approximate efficiency

2. Define the following:

a.  Renewable Resource

b.  Non-Renewable Resource

c.  Sustainable Development

Table 2: Renewable and non-renewable resources

Examples of Renewable Resources / Examples of non-Renewable Resources

Fossil Fuels

What is a fossil fuel? Briefly summarize how each is formed.

Electrical Energy Production

Briefly, but completely, describe how the following energy sources are used to generate AC electric power. What energy transformations are taking place during the process?

a.  Geothermal

b.  Hydroelectric

c.  Solar

d.  Tidal

e.  Nuclear

f.  Wind

g.  Waves

Discuss why AC power, and not DC power, is the preferred method for power generation.

Define Energy Density

Table 4: Energy Densities of some Fuel Sources

Fuel / Stored chemical potential energy / J / Mass / kg or
Volume / m3 / Energy Density / (list appropriate units with value)
Natural Gas / 1.80 x 108 / 3.0 m3
Wood / 2.5 kg / 1.5 MJ m-3
Coal (brown) / 2.50 x 107 / 5.0 kg
Nuclear Fusion (i.e. in the sun) / 2.0 x 1030 kg / 650. MJ kg-1
Petrol (gasoline) / 2.0 x 108 / 40.0 kg
Enriched Uranium / 4.0 kg / 400. MJ kg-1

A type of coal with energy density = 25.0 MJ/kg is used for a power plant which gives an output of 250.0 MW at an efficiency of 25.0%.

a.  Calculate the rate at which thermal energy is produced.

b.  How much coal is being burnt per hour for this output?

c.  If black coal, energy density = 40.0 MJ/kg, was used instead of the other type of coal, how much coal would be burnt per hour in the same power plant (same efficiency)?