Energy from Water | Physics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Wave & Tide Power

• The movement of waves or tides can be harnessed to rotate a turbine, generating electricity.

Underwater turbines generate electricity

Advantages

• No pollution is associated with nuclear power.
• It is dependable and capable of generating significant electricity rapidly.
• Considered a renewable energy source.
• Miniaturized systems are being created to supply power to small islands.

Disadvantages

• Costly infrastructure development.
• Impact on delicate ecosystems.
• Limited suitable sites for implementation.
• Technological constraints for large-scale energy generation.

Hydroelectric Dams

• Water stored at an elevated position possesses gravitational potential energy.
• This energy can be converted into kinetic energy by allowing the water to descend a slope.
• The movement of the water drives a turbine, producing electricity.

Advantages

• Can adapt to demand, ensuring reliability and accessibility.
• Capable of producing substantial quantities of electricity on a large scale.

Disadvantages

• Requires valley flooding during construction, leading to habitat, town, and village destruction.
• The pumping systems may emit significant quantities of greenhouse gases.