Why are wind farms built? One problem with wind turbines is that individually they do not generate a lot of electricity. They are usually needed in large numbers to have a significant impact on electricity production. A group of wind turbines is called a wind farm. Wind farms require space in open areas, but the land beneath them can also be used for farming at the same time. Offshore wind farms are located at sea. This wind farm is located 10 kilometres from the south-east coast of Ireland.
How are wind turbines used effectively? The energy produced by a wind turbine depends on the wind speed. If it is not windy, electricity is not produced, so wind turbines are not a reliable source of electricity. To be effective, wind turbines need to be located in windy areas. Unfortunately, these upland sites are sometimes areas of natural beauty and some people object to building wind farms in such areas. Wind power can be used effectively in remote locations to charge batteries, which can then be used to provide a constant supply of electricity.
What is hydroelectric power? Hydroelectric power is the electricity that is generated from the kinetic energy of moving water. The power of flowing water has been used for hundreds of years to operate machinery, such as that used to grind corn in mills and factories. However, this was largely replaced by steam power in the Industrial Revolution. Today, hydroelectric power is generated from water flowing in rivers or in man-made installations, were it flows from a high-level reservoir down through a tunnel. Currently, only about 1% of the UK’s electricity is from hydroelectric power.
How is hydroelectricity produced? Major hydroelectric schemes involve building a dam across the end of a river valley to form a reservoir. This can be done high up in mountainous areas. Hydroelectric power stations are a very reliable source of electricity and are able to start up production quickly. This is the Glen Canyon dam in Arizona, USA. It has eight generating units, which have an electrical output of up to 1,042 megawatts.
How is hydroelectricity used effectively? Large-scale hydroelectric power stations must be sited in high, mountainous areas. Damming a river causes the river valley to flood, which can mean that local villages and houses are destroyed. Hydroelectric power schemes also cost a lot of money and take a long time to build. However, they do last a long time and are a reliable source of large amounts of electricity. In the UK, hydroelectricity is generated in Scotland and North Wales. The number of environmentally acceptable sites is limited but several small-scale hydroelectric schemes to use the power of our streams and rivers are also in development.
How is wave power used? There are several types of wave power machines that are able to capture wave energy and convert it into electricity. The ‘Limpet’ (Land-Installed Marine-Powered Energy Transformer) on Islay, Scotland, is the world’s first commercial wave energy device. The low profile of this shoreline unit is designed so that it does not affect coastal views. The Limpet device uses an oscillating column of air and water to generate a maximum output of 500 kilowatts of electricity.
How else can wave power be used? Wave power could make a significant contribution to our energy needs but is still in the early stages of development. A deep-water device tested in Orkney, Scotland is the Pelamis Wave Energy Converter. The first “wave farm” is planned for the coast of Portugal. Another proposed machine is direction Salter’s duck, which could use wave of waves power efficiently. However, only long chains of these units would produce ducks move useful amounts of electricity and up and down these cannot be sited near boats. What are the advantages and disadvantages of wave power?
How can tidal power be used effectively? Tidal power is a predictable and reliable source of electricity. However, the difference between high and low tides needs to be at least 5 metres to generate practical amounts of electricity. Monthly variations in the height of the tide also affect how much electricity is produced. Tidal power only produces electricity when the tide flows, about 10 hours a day, and should be used with other sources. Worldwide, only around 20 sites have been identified as suitable for tidal power stations. The UK has eight possible sites but, as yet, we do not get electricity from tidal power.