L9 - Renewable Energy (Iceland) Flashcards
How do wind turbines work
Kinetic energy is converted into electricity
Why do wind turbines work so well in Iceland
Cheap to build, with huge generation capacity offshore
Why aren’t wind turbines the perfect solution
Lots of energy is lost running through electricity transmission lines
Wind energy doesn’t work on calm days – Iceland receives lots of storms
Why are wind turbines good for global climate?
Wind turbines do not pollute or produce GHG
What are the two ways to produce solar electricity
Either: concentrated solar power (mirrors concentrate solar energy on fluid, creating steam, driving a generator)
Or: photovoltaic
What’s the biggest economic problem with developing solar energy?
High start up costs can limit the number of panels
Why are solar panels not a good solution for Iceland?
Iceland has low solar insolation – very little sunlight in winter
Why are solar panels not popular in Iceland?
Local people only want solar panels on their houses – but they look out of place in Iceland’s rugged rural landscapes and historic national parks.
What are the local environmental disadvantages of solar panels?
Panels use up land that could be used for growing crops, and construction damages habitats
What’s the main environmental objection to developing solar energy?
Rare earth minerals are needed (e.g. silicon, mercy, lead, cadmium) – BTW: Iceland has many of these…
How does HEP work
Dams hold back water, fed by gravity through the turbines
Flowing water drives a turbine, which generates electricity
What can Iceland use HEP to achieve?
The Karahnjular Hydropower Plant generates electricity to make aluminium from bauxite
What are the main environmental problems with HEP?
Building dams floods farmland, causes erosion downstream and are ugly in the landscape
What is the main economic problem with HEP?
Require lots of maintenance to prevent leakage
