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Wildlife habitats are lost when hydroelectric dams are built.

Physics - Pros and Cons of Alternative Electricity (AQA)

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of renewable electricity sources, including wind, solar and hydroelectric power, and see how they differ from fossil fuel power stations.

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Fascinating Fact:

Hydroelectric gives instant start up for peak demand. Dams can flood habitats and move communities.

In GCSE Science Physics, you explore how alternative electricity sources such as wind, solar and hydro power are used in real systems. You also compare their costs, reliability and environmental effects with fossil fuel power stations.

Key Terms

Renewable resource: An energy source that is naturally replaced, such as sunlight, wind or flowing water.
Peak demand: Times when electricity use is at its highest and extra power stations or rapid-response sources are needed.
Environmental impact: The overall effect an energy project has on landscapes, wildlife, water and local people.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What are the main advantages of renewable electricity?

Renewable electricity sources do not quickly run out, usually produce lower greenhouse gas emissions in use, and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels for electricity generation.

What problems can renewable power stations cause?

Renewable power can be intermittent, start-up costs are often high, and large projects such as dams or wind farms may change local landscapes and affect wildlife or nearby communities.

Why do we still use fossil fuels if renewables are cleaner?

Fossil fuels are currently cheaper in many places, existing power stations are already built, and fossil fuels can provide steady base load when renewable supply is low or variable.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Which of the following statements about the advantages and disadvantages of wind power is not true?

Wind turbines do not pollute the air when they are generating electricity and it is a renewable form of energy

The wind turbines emit (give off) dangerous microwave radiation when they are working

Compared to a power staton, they produce only small quantities of electricity but there are no fuel costs

Some people object to wind power because they feel the turbines are noisy and spoil the view

The amount of electricity generated depends on the wind speed so wind turbines are usually sited in windy areas

2 .

Geothermal energy is renewable because it uses what?

Warm winds that blow out from the Sahara Desert

The Earth's internal heat

Warm currents in the seas

Captured and stored river water

The heat comes from radioactive materials deep inside the Earth

3 .

What is a practical disadvantage of nearly all forms of wind, water and solar powered electricity generation?

They only work during the day

They are noisy and look out of place in the environment

They need to be built at sea for safety reasons

They don't generate electricity all of the time

There will always be times when most of these alternative forms of electricity generation will not be able to produce electricity. It is an important reason why no single one could ever replace conventional power stations

4 .

Radiation from the Sun is the energy source for solar cells and solar panels. Which of the following statements is true?

Solar panels produce large amounts of electricity

Solar cells can only be used when the Sun is shining brightly

Solar cells are expensive and inefficient

Solar cells and solar panels both release greenhouse gases when they are working

Many factors affect the efficiency of solar cells - efficiencies of less than 20% are normal

5 .

Which of the following is considered to be a disadvantage of generating electricity using wind turbines?

They use a renewable energy resource

They don't produce electricity at night

They are noisy and unsightly

They can be sited out at sea

Not everyone shares this view of using wind turbines

6 .

Which of the following is not an advantage of tidal energy?

Tidal energy is renewable

The tidal barrage could act as a bridge from one side of the estuary to the other

The tidal barrage could alter the ecosystems around the estuary

At very high tides the tidal barrage can be used to prevent flooding

Another disadvantage is that they only generate electricity at low tide - but on the other hand, they can be started up quickly to boost the electricity in the National Grid

7 .

Which of the following is considered to be a disadvantage of producing electricity from water stored behind a dam?

Wildlife habitats and farmland are lost when the dam is built and the reservoir created

Electricity is only produced in rainy weather

Electricity has to be used to store the water

The dam creates pollution whilst it is being built

A relatively small dam can flood quite a large area of a valley, destroying land that was used for growing food or farming animals. Where the flooded land is not used for farming, wildlife habitat is lost. In some cases homes, and even complete villages, are submerged, meaning that the famileies living there have to move to new homes

8 .

Which of the following is a disadvantage of geothermal energy?

It is non-renewable

It produces a lot of air pollution

It only works at night

It can only be used in a few places on the Earth

Geothermal power stations can only be built in geologically active places where the hot rocks are closer to the surface than elswhere e.g. Iceland or northern Italy

9 .

Which of the following renewable energy resources would be the most suitable for Scotland? Its climate is generally cool, windy and very wet. There are a lot of mountains.

Tidal and wind

Wind and hydroelectric

Hydroelectric and solar cells

Solar cells and biomass

Over 10% of electricity in Scotland comes from hydroelectric power

10 .

Which of the following lists contain the missing words in the correct order?

Water power in its various forms is a _________ energy resource and there are no fuel costs. No harmful polluting ________ are produced. Tidal barrages and hydroelectric power stations are very reliable and can be started up quickly. Disadvantages of ________________ include the destruction of habitat of estuary plants and animals, including wading birds. Hydroelectric dams flood farmland and sometimes whole villages. The rotting vegetation under the stored water releases methane, which is a _____________ gas.

renewable, gases, tidal barrages, greenhouse

sustainable, pollutants, hydroelectric, acidic

gases, tidal barrages, greenhouse, renewable

clean, greenhouses, hydroelectric power stations, yellow

As with all forms of renewable energy sources, there are advantages and disadvantages

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Electricity

Author: Kev Woodward (PGCE, Science & Chemistry Teacher, Quiz Writer)