Renewable and non-renewable energies

A motor uses electricity to turn ELECTRICAL energy into KINETIC ENERGY.

The opposite of a motor is a generator. A generator is moved to turn

KINETIC energy into ELECTRICAL energy. (This is the opposite of a
generator) (It does this through a process called electrostatic induction)

If you can move a generator, you can generate electricity.

So, how can we move the generator, to generate electricity? ---

Renewable energies are ones that can be replaced quickly. E.g.:
Type Diagram Energy Advantage Disadvantage
(which is
converted (list at least one) (list at least one)
to
electricity
later)
Wind turbine Kinetic - Doesn’t hurt - Needs wind to be
(powers a the environment available
generator)
- Is free wind -Might hurt birds
energy

Biogas Chemical - Helps the - The manure ca

gas  environment cause problem
Kinetic - Free waste to the air
(methane and bio- regarding
CH4 powers degradable carbon dioxide
a generator)
Hydroelectric Kinetic  -plenty of water - expensive
(a dam) Kinetic
(water
movement
pushes a
generator)
Solar panels Solar - Sun can be - Solar panels ge
good dirty easily
- Expensive

Geothermal Useful Complex

(especially in
Iceland, 89%)
Non-renewable energies There are other types that are not renewable but are still used. E.g.
Nuclear Nuclear Carbon free Nuclear waste
(from electricity Very high out front
nuclear High power costs
bonds) output


Thermal

 Kinetic
(steam
powers a
generator

Coal Chemical Affordable Public health risk

 Reliable Climate chsnge
Thermal
 Kinetic

Oil Chemical Easy to extract Non renewable

 Kinetic

Task – THINK PAIR SHARE

1. In pairs, list at least 1 advantage and 1 disadvantage for each.

You’ll have 60 seconds for each one before a sound goes off.

2. Then go and find a new partner and move to the next one. Try not to use the same partner twice.

3. At the end of the activity, we will move on to the Critical Thinking questions below.
CRITICAL THINKING:

1. Determine why it is not a good idea to get people pedalling on a bike attached to a generator to generate all of our electricity.

2. In the Matrix, a race of robots use human beings as batteries. Determine if this could this really happen?

3. Why are things like coal and oil called fossil fuels?

4. What is the difference between crude oil, petroleum products, and petroleum?

5. I’ve heard that my car takes “91%” type petrol at the petrol station. What is the other 9% made of?

6. Nuclear power (though non-renewable) can produce a lot of energy. In addition, it only produces steam; and relatively small
amounts of contained radioactive waste. Why don’t we use it more in Australia?

CRITICAL THINKING:

1. Determine why it is not a good idea to get people pedalling on a bike attached to a generator to generate all of our electricity.

2. In the Matrix, a race of robots use human beings as batteries. Determine if this could this really happen?

3. Why are things like coal and oil called fossil fuels?

4. What is the difference between crude oil, petroleum products, and petroleum?

5. I’ve heard that my car takes “91%” type petrol at the petrol station. What is the other 9% made of?

6. Nuclear power (though non-renewable) can produce a lot of energy. In addition, it only produces steam; and relatively small
amounts of contained radioactive waste. Why don’t we use it more in Australia?