AQA GCSE science on pages 202 & 203
Generating Electricity
Electricity is generated using sources of energy. A great deal of the electricity in the UK is generated by using an energy source to heat water. The energy source can be fossil fuels, biomass or the sun. This type of powerstation is called a thermal power station.
Geothermal power
In some parts of the world, such as Iceland, where there are volcanic areas, geothermal energy can be used to generate electricity. Steam rises to the surface of the Earth, or is not far below it. The steam can be collected and piped to a power station to drive the turbines directly.
Geothermal energy does not have any fuel costs, but money is spent on building the power station and maintaining it. These power stations can also be started up and stopped relatively easily. Geothermal energy can also be used to heat houses.
In Iceland, the waste steam from a geothermal power station is piped to houses to heat them. Boreholes can also be drilled into the ground to collect the steam.
Geothermal energy does not have any fuel costs, but money is spent on building the power station and maintaining it. These power stations can also be started up and stopped relatively easily. Geothermal energy can also be used to heat houses.
In Iceland, the waste steam from a geothermal power station is piped to houses to heat them. Boreholes can also be drilled into the ground to collect the steam.
Learning Objectives
Fossil fuels, Thermal power station, Geothermal power, Generator, Turbine. |
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