NON RENEWABLES TECHNOLOGIES

GAS POWER

The gas energy is the only source destined to exist in Scotland for 2032 as base load. It not only generates electricity, but is a great heating power. There is a gas power station in Scotland:

Peterhead

The basic concept is, fuel is converted to produce electricity. Firstly, the main feedstock is fossil fuel which is loaded in a furnace, distillation column, which then will be heated at a very high temperature and the energy produce is transferred to the boiler. The energy in the boiler is transferred by pipelines to cooling condensers which heats the water to form steam and activates the turbine to drive electricity by the circular movement to form kinetic energy. This energy activates the generator to produce electricity which is then connected to the grid to transfer electricity to the buildings. Coal power station has a similar operating concept.

Very little resource, fossil fuel, can produce vast amount of energy
Emits fewer toxins, nitrogen and sulphur
System can operate around the clock and can be stopped at any time (dispatch able)

Big contribution to carbon emission and global warming
Impact to environment
Not efficient as energy is wasted in the cooling tower and regular maintenance is required
More energy is lost when energy is transferred from cables
High cost involved during planning, construction and maintenance
Many power station have been closed and depending on the main station, Peterhead

Power stations have many negative environmental impacts compared to renewable energy systems, they produce vast amounts of carbon emission which is causing change in global temperature. Another concern is when transporting fossil fuel to the furnace or when gas is produced in the boiler, liquid and gas could leak and can damage agriculture and will affect human heath as it has a higher toxin concentration than carbon dioxide. Any countries suffer from breathing problems as the air has been polluted by releasing carbon dioxide which needs to be reduced immediately.

Power plant is a huge industry and the land use will also be bigger and needs to be situated away from cities and village for safety reasons.

Water is an another major concern as it can be easily polluted when leakages occur and can impact human and wildlife.

NUCLEAR

At the present nuclear power is another power generator. There two main nuclear power plants in Scotland and are potential to be closed for 2032 or later:

Torness
Hunterston B

Nuclear Power station has a similar method to generate electricity. The main difference Is in a nuclear power plant is how water is heated as uranium is the feedstock. A fission concept is used where is splits the uranium nuclei that generates heat.

No carbon emission
Nuclear feedstock can provide more energy
Efficient process
Enough available feedstock
Maintenance is low

Uranium is a non-renewable material which cannot be resubstituted
It’s not a dispatchable system which can be switched on or off regularly
High impacts on environment
Nuclear accident can cause impacts to human health for many decades
Nuclear waste can be burned it takes many years to decade
Waste have active radioactivity which impacts human and wildlife
Cost of building nuclear power plant is expensive
Leakage can occur and these toxins can cause burns and illness

The environmental impact for nuclear power station based on carbon dioxide is very minimal as it does not emit any carbon gas. The primary concern is leakages and waste. Uranium is a high radioactive component and can be risky to human, plants and animal life for any years. It is important to have an alternative solution by carrying out environmental impact assessments during the planning stage for mitigation. Storages are needed for wastages which can be locked to avoid rays been distributed.

How does it work?

Advantages

Disadvantages

Environmental impact

Peterhead

Gas power station (1.4 GW)

Torness

Nuclear power station (1.2 GW)

Hunterston B

Nuclear power station (1 GW)

Reference:

Bibbins, J. (1903). Gas Power for Central Stations; The Advantages of Operating Electric Stations in Connection with Gas Works. Transactions of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, XXII(1), pp.767-790.Gov.scot. (2017). Major Power Stations in Scotland. [online] Available at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Infrastructure/Major-Power-Stations [Accessed 10 May 2017].
Nei.org. (2017). How Nuclear Reactors Work - Nuclear Energy Institute. [online] Available at: https://www.nei.org/Knowledge-Center/How-Nuclear-Reactors-Work [Accessed 10 May 2017].
Nuclear-energy.net. (2014). Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power. [online] Available at: https://nuclear-energy.net/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-nuclear-energy.html [Accessed 10 May 2017].
Sharpe, L. (2003). Power stations 'should get gas first'. IEE Review, 49(10), pp.21-21.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS