Energy Generation PDF | Classification, Sources, and Environmental Impact

Okay, here is a structured markdown format of the provided text: ## 2. 1 Classification of Energy Sources Depending on the criteria we adopt, we can classify energy sources in various ways: ### Considering its Availability in Nature and its Regeneration Capacity * **Renewable:** Energy source...

Okay, here is a structured markdown format of the provided text: ## 2. 1 Classification of Energy Sources Depending on the criteria we adopt, we can classify energy sources in various ways: ### Considering its Availability in Nature and its Regeneration Capacity * **Renewable:** Energy sources that are abundant and inexhaustible in nature. * **Non-Renewable:** They may or may not be abundant in nature, but they are depleted when used and do not renew themselves in the short term, as they require millions of years to form. They are the most used at present. ### Considering the Need to Transform them or not for Their Use * **Primary:** Obtained directly from nature. * **Secondary:** They are the result of the transformation of the primary sources. ### Considering Their Use in Each Country * **Conventional:** These are the most widely used energies in industrialized countries; They are largely responsible for technological development, an important element of the economy of these countries. Conventional energy is energy from fossil fuels. * **Non-Conventional:** These are alternative energy sources that are beginning their technological development; Therefore, they still do not have much impact on the economies of the countries. Solar and wind power belong to this group. ### Considering the Environmental Impact * **Clean or not Contaminant:** They are sources whose extraction produces a minimal environmental impact; in addition, they do not generate toxic or polluting byproducts. * **Pollutants:** These are sources that produce negative effects on the environment: some, through their method of obtaining (mines, constructions, logging); others, at the time of their use (fuels in general). Some produce highly polluting byproducts, such as nuclear waste. ### Table of Energy Sources | Energy Source | Regeneration Capacity | Transformation Need | Current Importance | Environmental Impact | | :---------- | :----------------------: | :-----------------------: | :-----------------: | :-----------------------: | | |Renewable|Not Renewable|Primary|Secondary|Conventional|Not conventional|Clean|Pollutant| |Hydraulic|X| |X| |X| | |X| |Geothermal|X| |X| |X| | |X| |Nuclear| |X|X| |X| | |X| |Aeolian|X| |X| | |X|X| | |Solar|X| |X| | |X|X| | |Petroleum and derivatives | |X| |X|X| | |X| |Coal| |X|X| |X| | |X| |Natural gas| |X|X| |X| | |X| |Biomass|X| |X| |X| |X| | |Tidal|X| |X| |X| | |X| ## 3. Electrical Energy Electrical energy is the energy transported by electric current. It is the most used form of energy in industrialized societies. If you look around, you will see a lot of objects that use electrical energy for their operation. This is due to these two characteristics: * Capacity to transform easily into other forms of energy (light: bulbs; Heating: stoves). * It is possible to transport it over long distances with low costs and relatively high performance (not excessive energy is lost). Facilities where primary or secondary energy is transformed into consumption energy are called generation centers or stations. If this consumption energy is electric, the plant is called the electric plant. Once generated, this consumption energy must be transported to the points where it is needed. In them, it will be distributed to homes, street lighting, industries, etcetera. ### Functioning of an Electrical Power Plant In section 1.1, we saw that there was a form of energy that was a consequence of the position (height above the ground) and the movement (speed) of the matter: Mechanical Energy. An electrical plant mainly uses mechanical energy produced by a source of energy, for example, the fall of water, to transform it, through a machine called a generator, into electric energy for consumption. The generators are formed by two pieces: * **The stator**: Fixed part composed of a metallic core inside which there are some copper wires. * **The rotor**: Mobile part that rotates around an axis. It contains some circuits that, when applying an electric current, are transformed into electromagnets. When, by effect of the mechanical energy, the rotator turns; an electric current is induced in the stator called electromotive force. This provides the electrical energy suitable for its distribution and intake. ## 3.1. Electricity Generation There are several types of power plants, which are determined by the energy source used to move the rotor. ### Plants that Use Renewable Energy Sources These are those that, after being used, can be regenerated naturally or artificially. Some renewable sources are subject to cycles that are maintained more or less constantly in nature. ### Hydraulic or Hydroelectric Plants Observe the hydroelectric plant that appears in the image and look at the height of the dam. In this type of power plants, the potential energy due to the height of the water is used. The water makes the blades (curved fins) of a turbine located at the foot of a dam move, whose axis is connected to the rotator of a generator, which is in charge of transforming it into electrical energy According to the destination of water, hydraulic plants are divided into two types: Gravity or Pumping. If the water used continues through the riverbed and will not be reused, it is a gravity hydroelectric plant. # ## 4. Environmental Impact The construction and operation of a power plant necessarily implies an ecological change in the area, due to the construction of the necessary infrastructures (buildings, communications...) and the wastes that its activity generates. ## 4.1. Evaluation of Environmental Impact In a technical project, it is compulsory to carry out an evaluation of the environmental impact, that is to say, a study of the changes that would occur in the natural environment as a consequence of its realization. This study is valued together with another concerning the economic and social repercussions of the project on the area, and then to decide if the project will be executed. The following table shows, as a comparative study, general features and impact of each type of central: | Type of Plant | Environmental Impact | Type of Energy Consumed | Disadvantages and Risks | Advantages | | :------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :---------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Hydroelectric | Serious alteration of the natural environment, due to constructions, diversions of the river's natural course, flooding of land. | Renewable | Risk of catastrophe due to dam breaks and flooding. Danger of disappearance of local flora and fauna. | Great power and performance. | | Wind | Visual and sound impact. Not polluting. | Renewable | Low performance. Discontinuous and random. Risk of accidents in case of strong winds. | Reduces dependence on other fuels. Clean. Possibility of self-consumption. | | Solar | Repercussion on ecosystems as a consequence of the need to occupy large surfaces. Not polluting. | Renewable | Low Performance. High installation cost. Discontinuous and random. Risk of burns and blindness. | Reduces dependence on other fuels. Clean. Possibility of self-consumption. | | Ocean Energy | Alteration of the environment due to the constructions it requires. | Renewable | High installation cost and low performance. | Reduces dependence on other fuels. Clean. Quiet. | | Biomass | Beneficial if used correctly. | Renewable | Excessive exploitation of natural resources. | Use of forest products. | | Thermal Combustibles | Atmospheric pollution caused by the emission of gases from combustion. Water pollution caused by the use of this as refrigerant. | Not renewable | Respiratory diseases. High noise level. Increase of the greenhouse effect. Negative impact on the ecosystem. | Reduces dependence on other fuels. Clean. Quiet. | | Nuclear | Risk of contamination by radiation. Non-recyclable and polluting waste. | Not renewable | Danger great nuclear. Radioactive Waste. | Great power and performance. | ## 4.2 Environmental Repercussions Energy consumption is preceded by a long process that includes several stages, from the extraction of the natural resources used until the moment when the automobile is used, the television is turned on, or any human activity is carried out. All these stages have an environmental cost, as detailed below. Extraction of natural resources Throughout history, the use of fossil and nuclear fuels has meant the depletion of many deposits, which has forced to look for new ones. A well-structured markdown version is now completed.