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This lesson covers renewable energy sources as required by AQA GCSE Design and Technology (8552), Section 3.1.2. Renewable energy is central to sustainable design and manufacturing.
A renewable energy source is one that is naturally replenished and will not run out. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable sources produce little or no CO₂ during operation, making them crucial for combating climate change.
Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of moving air into electricity. Groups of turbines are called wind farms and can be located onshore (on land) or offshore (at sea).
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|
| No CO₂ emissions during operation | Wind is intermittent — no electricity when the wind does not blow |
| Low running costs once installed | Turbines can be visually intrusive on landscapes |
| Offshore farms harness stronger, more consistent winds | Noise pollution can affect nearby residents |
| UK has excellent wind resources | Manufacturing turbines requires energy and materials (steel, composites) |
| Can be installed on farmland without disrupting agriculture | Can harm birds and bats |
Solar panels convert light energy from the sun into electricity (photovoltaic cells) or use the sun's heat to warm water (solar thermal panels).
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|
| No CO₂ emissions during operation | Output depends on sunlight — reduced in winter and cloudy conditions |
| Can be installed on rooftops — no extra land needed | Initial installation cost is high |
| Very low maintenance | Manufacturing PV cells uses toxic chemicals and energy |
| Modular — can scale from a calculator to a solar farm | Energy storage (batteries) needed for night-time use |
| Falling costs — solar is now one of the cheapest energy sources | Efficiency of typical panels is 15–22% |
Solar thermal panels absorb heat from the sun to warm water in pipes. They are commonly used for domestic hot water and swimming pool heating.
AQA Exam Tip: Know the difference between photovoltaic (light → electricity) and solar thermal (heat → hot water). Mixing them up is a common error that costs marks.
Tidal energy harnesses the rise and fall of ocean tides, which are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. Tides are completely predictable, making tidal energy very reliable.
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|
| Predictable — tides follow a known schedule | Very high construction costs |
| No CO₂ emissions during operation | Can disrupt marine ecosystems and fish migration |
| Long operational life (100+ years for barrages) | Limited number of suitable sites |
| Tidal barrages can also serve as road bridges | Visual impact on coastlines |
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