In the past, electricity has usually been generated used fossil fuels such as coal but unfortunately these resources are finite and supplies have almost run out. In addition, their use has damaged the environment due to the large amount of carbon dioxide these generation methods produce and this contributes to the greenhouse effect and causes global warming.
We need to find some alternative energy sources quickly.
Possible sources of alternative energy include solar power, wind power, energy from the sea and biomass although there is no doubt that other possibilities exist and may become significant
Fossil fuels are so called because they were formed from the remains of prehistoric plants and animals.
Examples of fossil fuels include coal, oil and gas and they provide approximately 95% of the worlds energy needs.
When used to produce electricity coal is crushed then burned, used to heat water, the steam produced is used to turn turbines, the turbines turn generators and this generates electricity. Burning coal produces sulphur dioxide which causes acid rain. It also produces carbon dioxide which is the cause of the greenhouse effect and global warming.
Coal and other fossil fuels are finite resources and have almost run out. They will not last much longer.
We need to develop some alternative energy sources quickly
One possibility is nuclear power which produces approximately 11% of the worlds energy needs.
Nuclear fission is used to split uranium atoms and this produces energy in the form of heat.
This is used to heat water, the steam produced is used to turn turbines, the turbines turn generators which generate electricity.
It is not expensive, very reliable, very efficient and does not cause acid rain or global warming.
However, the small amount of waste produced is extremely dangerous and must be supervised and controlled for thousands of years. It must be protected from natural disasters and any other threats and the processes involved will be difficult and expensive.
If anything goes wrong, a major disaster will occur affecting millions of people e.g. Chernobyl.
Do we really want to leave such a legacy for our children?
During the next century, fuel will become increasingly scarce.
We will need to generate electricity to keep the lights on and keep our computers running.
Maybe we have no choice.
We need to find some alternative energy sources quickly.
Possible sources of alternative energy include solar power, wind power, energy from the sea and biomass although there is no doubt that other possibilities exist and may become significant
Fossil fuels are so called because they were formed from the remains of prehistoric plants and animals.
Examples of fossil fuels include coal, oil and gas and they provide approximately 95% of the worlds energy needs.
When used to produce electricity coal is crushed then burned, used to heat water, the steam produced is used to turn turbines, the turbines turn generators and this generates electricity. Burning coal produces sulphur dioxide which causes acid rain. It also produces carbon dioxide which is the cause of the greenhouse effect and global warming.
Coal and other fossil fuels are finite resources and have almost run out. They will not last much longer.
We need to develop some alternative energy sources quickly
One possibility is nuclear power which produces approximately 11% of the worlds energy needs.
Nuclear fission is used to split uranium atoms and this produces energy in the form of heat.
This is used to heat water, the steam produced is used to turn turbines, the turbines turn generators which generate electricity.
It is not expensive, very reliable, very efficient and does not cause acid rain or global warming.
However, the small amount of waste produced is extremely dangerous and must be supervised and controlled for thousands of years. It must be protected from natural disasters and any other threats and the processes involved will be difficult and expensive.
If anything goes wrong, a major disaster will occur affecting millions of people e.g. Chernobyl.
Do we really want to leave such a legacy for our children?
During the next century, fuel will become increasingly scarce.
We will need to generate electricity to keep the lights on and keep our computers running.
Maybe we have no choice.
GLOBAL WARMING? NO WAY! Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_M_Williams |
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