Morales, Jerome R.

GS21

October-December 2008
LESSON 1.- ENERGY RESOURCES AND POWER STATIONS

What are energy resources?

1. Energy resources.

a. In pairs, think about different kinds of energy used to produce electricity. Make a list (if you
don’t know the word in English, you can draw a picture).

* Hydrothermal Energy

* Nuclear energy

* Solar energy

* Fossil Fuels

a. Whole group discussion. In turns, tell your classmates which are the ENERGY RESOURCES
you have written.
  We think that Nuclear energy can produce electricity.

 Hydrothermal energy is used to produce electricity.

a. Complete the grid writing the name of the following energy resources.

 
Solar Energy Hydropower Energy

 
Coal

Nuclear Energy
 

 Fossil Fuel  Geothermal Energy

 
Biomass Energy Wind energy

a. Are these energy resources renewable or non-renewable? Read the following text and
complete the table below.

Energy resources provide us with energy. There are different types of energy resources, including fossil fuels
such as coal or oil, and stores of energy such as batteries or the wind. We can divide energy resources into
two categories, non-renewable and renewable.
 Non-renewable energy resources cannot be replaced once they are all used up. That means they
cannot be renewed or replenished. Once they are gone they cannot be used again.
Renewable energy resources can be replaced, and will not run out (finish).

RENEWABLE NON-RENEWABLE

Solar energy Fossil Fuels

Wind Energy Coals

Natural gas
Hydropower Oil

Geothermal Nuclear Enegry

Biomass

1. Complete these sentences using the most suitable word:

a. Coal, natural gas and oil are all non – renewable (renewable / non-renewable) energy resources.
They release energy (energy / electricity) when they are burned.
b. Wind and solar energy are renewable (renewable / non-renewable) because they can (can /
cannot) be replaced.
c. Coal, natural gas and oil are called fossil fuels (nuclear fuels / fossil fuels).
d. Two more examples of renewable energies are Geothermal energy and Wind energy.
2. Match each kind of energy with the correct sentence. Underline the key words
 is generated from running water. Dams are built across a lake or river
Wave power in a valley to trap water. The water flows through tunnels and turns the
turbines which make electricity.

Geothermal power are used to convert the Sun’s energy into electricity.

comes from the movement of water in the sea by the tides. These
Fossil fuels
tides happen twice a day.

Hydroelectricity uses the energy of the waves to turn turbines that make electricity.

Nuclear energy uses the energy from plants and waste materials to make electricity.

is made from radioactive uranium ore which occurs naturally in the

Wind energy
ground.

uses the heat that comes from deep rocks under the surface of the
Tidal energy
Earth.

were formed in the Carboniferous period millions of years ago (before

Biomass
the dinosaurs!)

Solar panels is used to turn wind turbines and make electricity.

The electricity journey: from power stations to our homes

4. Look at the picture. Electricity is produced in power stations and it travels a long way before arriving at
our homes. This power station is used to produce electricity from coal, natural gas, oil or nuclear energy.
 Electric journey: from power station to home (Source: E.ON UK)

a. Write the names of the different steps (1-6) in the chart above using the words in the box.
2. Power station
3. Substation
4. Power lines
5. Transformers
6. Underground cable
7. Wooden pole

power lines / grid wooden pole power station

substation transformers underground cable

a. Match each number with the step of the process:

 

In some areas, cables are carried to buildings on wooden poles.

 

Small local substations reduce the voltage to 230 Volts for houses, schools and businesses. In towns, most
cables are

underground.

 

Power stations make electricity. They usually burn coal or oil to

work the generating machinery

 

In towns and cities there are more transformers in substations.

These change the electricity down to 11,000 Volts.

 

The electricity is carried along thick metal cables called power

lines. Some of them are carried overhead on pylons.

 

Transformers change the voltage of the electricity up to 400,000

Volts so it can travel long distances.

a. Write the process in the correct order:

First ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________. After that ___________________
________________________________________________________________________ ________. Then
___________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.

Finally____________________________________________________________.

a. Draw the flow diagram of the process:

a. Work in pairs. One student (S1) asks 5 questions and the other student (S2) answers looking at the
picture of the electric journey. Then, change the roles.

Example:

S1. Where is electricity produced? S2. In…

S1. How is electricity transported? S2. By…

S1. Why…? S2. Because…

S1. What is ……………… for? S2. For ….

S1. Which is the first / next / last step? S2.

Each student writes his/her questions and the answers:

 LESSON 2.- FOSSIL FUELS: COAL, OIL AND NATURAL GAS

1. Put the pictures in the correct order.

Answers For 1 and 2:

B–D
C–F
A–E

1. Match each picture with the suitable text.

1. Explain the process of how coal was formed.

1. Make sentences with the information in the table.

from sea plants and animals

COAL from plants

in swamps

was formed
in oceans

OIL 100 million years ago

50-100 million years ago

 1. Look at the diagram in the PowerPoint presentation. Put the steps of the process in the correct
order.

The turbines turn the

The steam pushes the
generators, The oil is burned to heat
The electricity flows into the Crude oil is delivered to the
grid turbines, forcing them to spin power station
which create water, producing steam
very fast
electricity

Write the process of electricity production looking at the diagram in the power point presentation.

First, __________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.

After that, ______________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________.

Then, _________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.

Eventually _____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________.

1. Look at the diagram of a coal-fired power station and watch the video. Describe the process:

First, __________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.

After that, ______________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________.

Then, _________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.

Finally _________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________.

1. Draw the flow chart of the process of electricity production.

1. Write the advantages and disadvantages of using fossil fuels.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

1. Answer the questions:

What’s the greenhouse effect?

Why do power stations powered by fossil fuels increase global warming?

How is the acid rain produced?