Renewable Energy

Growth that doesnt cost the earth.

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Wind Energy

Wind turbines turn wind energy into

electricity
and is a potentially infinite energy
supply.
The best turbine design is a tall tower
with three blades.
The wind makes the blades spin. The
moving blades create electricity.
They are usually built in groups called
wind farms.
Whitelee Wind Farm
UK's largest onshore wind farm, located south of Glasgow. Its 215
turbines generate enough to power just under 300,000 homes.

Growth that doesnt cost the earth.

www.resourceefficientscotland.com
Wave Energy

Waves are a result of the

effects of wind on the oceans
and seas.
Waves are not as consistent
as the tide and therefore
there can cause issues trying
to match the UKs supply and
demand for power.
Wave power tends to be small
scale schemes rather than
large scale commercial plant.
Wave Energy
There are different types of wave energy collectors.

One of the systems is called the

Oscillating Water Column.

It uses the movement of the

seawater in and out to compress
the trapped air, which then drives a
turbine and creates energy.

There is currently a device

generating and supplying 0.5MW of
power to the grid on the Island of
Islay off the west coast.
Wave Energy
Another system is called the Hinged
Contour Device.

This snake like device moves with the

waves. The wave movement causes
pressure within different sections of the
device which then drives the motors,
generating electricity.

Theses devices are currently being

developed and tested in Scotland.
Tidal Energy

Tidal Energy is generated from the

movement of the tides in and out
which drives turbines.
A tidal barrage (a kind of dam) can
be built across an estuaries which
forces the water through the gaps.
A tidal barrage can double as
bridge, and can help prevent
flooding.
Construction of barrage is very
costly.
Not all estuaries are suitable.
Biomass

Biomass fuels come from organic

materials, primarily wood.
Biomass can be a long-term,
sustainable energy source.
It is a cheaper and more readily
available source of energy.
Wood can be chipped or made into
wood pellets
Photovoltaics

Solar cells are devices that convert light

energy directly into electrical energy.
Panels absorb solar rays of heat and
light.
Potentially infinite energy supply.
Single dwellings can have own
electricity supply
Manufacture and implementation of
solar panels can be costly.
Larger arrays of solar cells are used to
power road signs, and even larger
arrays are used to power satellites in
orbit around Earth.
Solar Panels
Solar panels are different to solar
cells.
Solar panels do not generate
electricity. Instead they heat up
water directly.
A pump pushes cold water from a
storage tank through pipes in the
solar panel.
The water is heated by absorbing
energy from the sun and returns
to the tank.
They are often located on the
roofs of buildings where they can
receive the most sunlight.
Ground Source Heat Pumps

The heat of the earth warms pipes of water buried

underground.
 Hydro Power
Hydroelectric power schemes
store water high up in dams.
The water has gravitational
potential energy which is
released when it falls.
As the water rushes down
through pipes, this stored
energy is transferred to kinetic
energy, which turns electricity
generators.
Creates water reserves as well
as energy supplies.
Dams have major ecological
impacts on local hydrology.