Quiz 2

How to determine if a site is suitable for a geo‐ thermal power station?

• Lots of water

  Proximity to transmission network

  Shipping and logistic pathways

• •Lots of heat

  •Supply of water

  •Impermeable cap rock

  •Supporting infrastructure (transmission/distribution)

  Ability to recharge water/steam supply

• •Lots of land (can be waste zoned)

  •Lots of water resources

  •Transmission access

  •Community support

• •Lots of heat

  •Supply of water

  Lots of land

  •Supporting infrastructure (transmission/distribution)

  Ability to recharge water/steam supply

Assessments of the available geothermal resources

• Average heat records (historical)

  Weather records

  Only good for the past

• Water quality

  Weather data

  Temperature range

• Swell values

  Data logging / site measurements

  Weather data

  Temperature range

• Drill samples

  Geoscience

What are the positive avenues associated with geothermal energy?

• Inbuilt thermal/energy storage

  Uses about same amount land

  Semi-dispatchable

• Generates renewable electricity

  Also produces clean water (driving high pressure water)

  No carbon emissions in generation

  No (or low) visual impact

  Almost always producing electricity

• Renewable resource

  Negligible fuel costs

  Dispatchable generation

  Low maintenance

  Mature technology

  Cheap to generate electricity

• Generates renewable electricity

  Also produces clean water (driving high pressure water)

  No carbon emissions in generation

  Non-dispatchable

What are the negative avenues associated with geothermal energy?

• Difficult and expensive to locate a viable resource

  Highly location dependent

  Low operating efficiency

• More complicated

  More expensive

  More stringent site requirements

  Fauna impacts

• Highly location dependent

  Complicated --> immature technology

  Expensive to construct

  More regular maintenance --> expensive

  Difficult to install

  Can be fragile (design specific)

  Non dispatchable form of generation

• Highly location dependent

  Non dispatchable form of generation

  Hard accessibility to site

   What is the mass of the products of a nuclear fission reaction compared to the mass of the original products?

        

• greater

• less

• the same

• varies according to the reaction

What is the mass of the products of a nuclear fusion reaction compared to the original elements?

  

• greater

• less

• the same

• varies according to the reaction

A 350 MW biomass power station has an overall efficiency of 26% and is fed by bagasse, with an average calorific value of 18.3 MJ/kg. The power plant runs at its rated capacity for 3 hours. Determine the total amount of electricity produced (in MWh) during this period.

• 10.5 MWh

• 1050 MWh

• 105 MWh

• 1.05 MWh

A 350 MW biomass power station has an overall efficiency of 26% and is fed by bagasse, with an average calorific value of 18.3 MJ/kg. The power plant runs at its rated capacity for 3 hours. Calculate the total amount of bagasse (in tonnes) that would be consumed during this period.

• 369.2 Tonnes

• 74.5 Tonnes

• 125.6 Tonnes

• 794.4 Tonnes

A biomass power station has 40,000 tonnes of wood pellets in its storage silos. This storage capacity needs to be replenished when the capacity is down to 25%. The electrical efficiency of the facility is 24%. Assuming the wood pellets have a calorific value of 19.5 MJ/kg, calculate the total amount of electrical energy (in GWh) that the plant can produce, before requiring their silos to be refilled.

• 49 GWh

• 19 GWh

• 39 GWh

• 29 GWh

How "Duck Curve" affects the transition to renewable energy?

• Duck curve has the potential to significantly impact the renewable energy transition by providing energy storage solutions, decarbonizing challenging sectors, and supporting the growth of green energy production. However, addressing cost, efficiency, safety, and infrastructure challenges is essential to be a successful part of the transition to a more sustainable and renewable energy system.

• Duck curve is a valuable trend and information that significantly contributes to the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy systems. However, it must be managed carefully to address environmental and social impacts and adapt to the challenges presented by climate change and evolving water resources.

• Duck Curve highlights the complexities and opportunities associated with the transition to renewable energy. It has the potential to facilitate the integration of renewable sources, reduce fossil fuel use, and promote energy storage and grid modernization. However, it also poses challenges in terms of grid management, storage costs, grid upgrades, intermittency, energy equity, and policy support.

• Duck curve is a valuable and sustainable component of the renewable energy transition. It provides information on clean, baseload power, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and offers local and decentralized energy generation. Addressing challenges related to resource availability, environmental considerations, and upfront costs is essential for maximizing the potential of duck curve's impact in the renewable energy transition.