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Energy and Power

Renewable and non-renewable sources of energy and their use in design systems.

📘 Topic Summary

Energy and Power is a crucial topic in Design and Technology that explores the various sources of energy, both renewable and non-renewable, and their applications in design systems. Understanding the differences between these sources is essential for designing sustainable and efficient systems.

📖 Glossary
  • Renewable Energy: Energy generated from natural resources that can be replenished over time, such as solar, wind, and hydro power.
  • Non-Renewable Energy: Energy generated from finite resources that will eventually run out, such as fossil fuels.
  • Sustainability: The ability to maintain a system or process over time without depleting its resources.
  • Efficiency: The ratio of output energy to input energy in a system.
⭐ Key Points
  • Solar power is a renewable source of energy that can be harnessed using photovoltaic panels.
  • Wind turbines are used to generate electricity from wind energy.
  • Hydroelectric power plants convert the kinetic energy of moving water into electricity.
  • Fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas, are non-renewable sources of energy.
  • Nuclear power is a non-renewable source of energy that generates electricity through nuclear reactions.
  • Geothermal energy harnesses heat from the Earth's core to generate electricity.
🔍 Subtopics
Renewable Energy Sources

Solar energy is generated by converting sunlight into electrical or thermal energy using photovoltaic cells or solar panels. Wind energy is produced by harnessing the kinetic energy of wind using turbines to generate electricity. Hydro energy is derived from the movement of water in rivers, oceans, and tidal currents, which drives turbines to produce electricity. Biomass energy is generated by burning organic matter such as wood, crops, and waste products to produce heat or electricity.

Non-Renewable Energy Sources

Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, are the primary sources of non-renewable energy. These energy sources release stored carbon dioxide when burned, contributing to climate change. Nuclear energy is generated by harnessing the heat produced by nuclear reactions in a reactor, which produces steam to drive turbines.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency refers to the reduction of energy consumption while maintaining or improving performance. This can be achieved through design and technological innovations that minimize energy waste. Examples include using insulation to reduce heat loss, installing LED lighting for reduced power consumption, and optimizing system designs for maximum efficiency.

Sustainable Design Principles

Sustainable design principles prioritize the conservation of natural resources and minimization of environmental impact. This involves considering the entire lifecycle of a product or system, from production to disposal. Sustainable design principles include reducing waste, using recycled materials, designing for disassembly and recyclability, and minimizing energy consumption.

Energy Storage and Transmission

Energy storage systems, such as batteries, store excess energy generated by renewable sources for later use. Energy transmission involves the transportation of energy from its source to the point of use through grids or pipelines. Advanced technologies like smart grids and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission enable efficient and reliable energy distribution.

🧠 Practice Questions

  1. What is an example of renewable energy?

  2. Which type of energy source will eventually run out?

  3. What is the definition of Efficiency?

  4. What is an example of non-renewable energy?

  5. What is the primary source of non-renewable energy?

  6. Which type of energy is generated by harnessing the kinetic energy of wind?

  7. What is the term for the ability to maintain a system or process over time without depleting its resources?

  8. Which type of energy is generated by burning organic matter such as wood, crops, and waste products?

  9. What is the term for the ratio of output energy to input energy in a system?

  1. Explain the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources. (2 marks)

  2. Describe the process of generating electricity from solar power. (2 marks)

  3. What are some examples of sustainable design principles? (2 marks)

  4. How do energy storage systems contribute to efficient energy distribution? (2 marks)

  5. What is the role of energy transmission in ensuring reliable energy distribution? (2 marks)

  1. Discuss the importance of understanding energy and power in designing sustainable systems. (20 marks)

  2. Compare and contrast renewable and non-renewable energy sources, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages in different applications. (20 marks)