Living Geographically
What is the influence of climate on power generation?
/ The relationship between climate change and some energy matrices /
Solar
Nuclear
Wind
Hydroelectric
Biomass
Solar Energy
- What is solar energy?
Solar energy comes from the light and heat of the sun, being an alternative and sustainable source that can be used both for electricity generation (through photovoltaic solar energy and heliothermic systems) and as an energy source (with water heaters). Solar thermal energy).
- What are the natural conditions that favor the use of solar energy?
The potential for solar energy is greater in regions with high temperatures, low cloud cover and low rainfall. So, for this energy to be successful in a place, it is necessary that the region has good insolation, because if there are several days without sun, there is no energy. In other words, the country needs to have the sun as a constant in the climate and they also need to receive good levels of solar radiation throughout the territory.
We can highlight our country as an example, as Brazil is the country that receives the most solar irradiation in the world. As it is located close to the equator, the country receives a high incidence of sun throughout the day, with little variation throughout the seasons. What favors the use of solar energy systems.
Nuclear Energy
- What is nuclear energy?
Nuclear power is the use of nuclear reactions to produce electricity. Nuclear power can be obtained from nuclear fission, nuclear decay and nuclear fusion reactions. Presently, the most part of electricity from nuclear power is produced by nuclear fission of uranium and plutonium in nuclear power plants.
- Do we have here in Brazil?
No, but there are two nuclear power plants in operation in Brazil: Angra 1 and Angra 2, in the city of Angra dos Reis.
- Benefits
Abundant source in nature (uranium);
Does not emit polluting gases into the atmosphere;
Produces low amount of waste.
- Disadvantages
Despite having a small amount of waste, it's is highly toxic nuclear waste, which must be disposed of in an extremely safe area;
Risks of contamination and long permanence of nuclear waste in the environment;
Risks of nuclear accidents with serious consequences for the environment and human beings.
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Wind Energy
- What is wind energy?
Wind energy is a type of sustainable energy, in which it transforms wind force into electricity, an inexhaustible resource. Wind energy is essential for decarbonisation and combating climate change, it is considered a clean, cheap energy that causes low impact on the environment.
- What's necessary to use this energy?
The use of wind requires the installation of wind farms on land or high seas that are installed after a rigorous process and planning, which seek depopulated areas to avoid negative effects on their inhabitants. The winds are generated from the process that there are areas that heat up more than others, in which the air weighs less and tends to rise generating areas of low pressures and in the colder ones, the air descends and weighs more, creating areas of high pressure. The difference in pressures causes the air to move and engender the wind.
- In relation to Brazil
Wind energy is a good option in energy production in Brazil. In addition to the advantages, such as not aggravating climate change, it is an affordable and inexpensive source, in which it can boost the economy and generate green jobs. In northeastern Brazil, this energy matrix stands out for the abundant winds, the matrix can meet all the demand of the region.
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Hydroelectric Energy
- What is hydroelectric energy?
Hydroelectric energy is electricity generated from the force of water. The process of transforming the potential energy of water into kinetic energy and, later, electrical energy takes place inside hydroelectric plants.
- What's necessary to use this energy?
The sources of hydroelectric energy need plateau rivers that tend to present themselves in areas of more accentuated relief, having a stronger flow due to the many geographic features along their course. As they present a great difference in altimetry between their source and their mouth, these rivers are considered ideal for the generation of electricity that favor the generation of hydroelectricity.
- Brazil
Hydroelectric energy is the main form of energy used in Brazil, which supplies homes, industries and establishments, corresponding to 67% of the electricity generated in the country.
- The cons
Although hydroelectric plants have a low production cost and provide a better distribution of water, they have a high implementation cost, require the displacement of people and harm the fauna and flora.
Biomass Energy
- What is biomass energy?
Biomass energy is energy generated or produced by living or once-living organisms. The most common materials used for this energy are plants, such as corn and soy. The energy from these organisms can be burned to create heat or converted into electricity.
- What's necessary to use this energy?
To use biomass energy it is necessary to have a fertile territory, since this energy is generated mainly by plants, trees and natural remains
- Brazil
Brazil is an example of a country that favors the use of biomass energy. The country has a huge fertile area, in addition to having favorable climatic conditions.