A Small-Scale CAES (Compressed Air Energy Storage) System For Stand-Alone Renewable Energy Power Plant For A Radio Base Station: A Sizing-Design Methodology
Energy resources can be classified into two groups.
Renewable Non-renewable
Renewable energy resources Non-renewable energy
can be replaced or regenerated resources will eventually and will never run out (at least run out – once used they not for a very long time). cannot be used again. Examples: wind and solar. Examples: coal and oil.
What waste does nuclear power produce? Nuclear power stations produce radioactive waste. The used nuclear fuel contains some uranium, which can be separated from the waste and reused. It also contains plutonium, which is a highly-radioactive product of the fission reactions that occur in uranium nuclear fuel. New reactors that use this waste product as a fuel have been built. However, plutonium is also used in the construction of nuclear bombs and poses a very serious threat if it gets into the wrong hands.
Where can nuclear waste be stored? Nuclear waste that cannot be reused poses serious problems as it can remain radioactive for thousands of years. Highly radioactive waste can be turned into glass to help stabilize it and prevent leaks during storage. One solution is to bury the waste deep underground. This must be in a geologically stable environment, so there are few suitable sites. Another suggested solution is to dump radioactive waste at the bottom of the sea. Dealing with nuclear waste is expensive and any solution has to be long term.
Non-renewable energy resources will eventually run out.
Type of fuel Time until reserves Scientists think that run out natural gas reserves natural gas 25-30 years will only last another 25-30 years. oil about 75 years It is difficult to be coal about 300 years exact as new gas fields are still being nuclear power thousands of years discovered. Even though nuclear fuel will last thousands of years, there is still a limited supply and so it will eventually run out. This is why nuclear power is classed as a non-renewable energy resource.
Fossil fuels: what are the pros and cons? What are the advantages and disadvantages of burning fossil fuels in power stations to generate electricity? Advantages Disadvantages of fossil fuels of fossil fuels readily available non-renewable easily transported acid rain low fuel cost greenhouse effect
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using
nuclear power to generate electricity? Advantages Disadvantages of nuclear power of nuclear power cheaper to run once built expensive to build conserves fossil fuels non-renewable no sulfur dioxide emissions produces radioactive waste
no carbon dioxide emissions expensive to decommission
safe under normal conditions links with cancer small amount of fuel used so less transport needed risk of disaster
Glossary (2/2) ⚫ nuclear fission – The splitting of an atomic nucleus, which releases large amounts of energy. In nuclear power stations, this process provides the heat used in generating electricity. ⚫ nuclear fuel – Material, usually uranium, that undergoes nuclear fission and is the source of heat in nuclear power stations. ⚫ non-renewable – An energy resource that cannot be replaced or used again and so will eventually run out. ⚫ renewable – An energy source that can be replaced or regenerated and so will not run out. ⚫ turbine – A device used in power stations, which is turned by the force of moving steam. It is connected by a shaft to a generator to produce electricity.
A Small-Scale CAES (Compressed Air Energy Storage) System For Stand-Alone Renewable Energy Power Plant For A Radio Base Station: A Sizing-Design Methodology