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As the world responds to climate change, we explore whether sustainable energy can satisfy our need for endless economic growth, without radical changes in the way we live. This album examines power sources which provide cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels, such as wind power, biomass, hydro power, wave and tidal power, solar and geothermal power. The nine video tracks introduce the different approaches adopted in Britain and across Europe, the challenges faced and the projects of the future. This material forms part of S278, Earth's physical resources: origin, use and environmental impact.
Track 3: Wind power in England
The story of Kirkheaton wind farm, run by Northern Electric and AMEC Border Wind.
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Tracks in this podcast:
| Track | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Earth's physical resources: renewable energy | An introduction to this album. Play now Earth's physical resources: renewable energy |
| 2 | Wind power in Europe | Which European country has the best wind resource, and which has the most turbines? Play now Wind power in Europe |
| 3 | Wind power in England | The story of Kirkheaton wind farm, run by Northern Electric and AMEC Border Wind. Play now Wind power in England |
| 4 | Wind power in Wales | The story behind some of the first wind farms developed in the UK. The concerns and obstacles these projects faced at the outset. Play now Wind power in Wales |
| 5 | What is biofuel? | How do we make biogas and what forms of biomass are we currently using in Europe? Play now What is biofuel? |
| 6 | Hydroelectricity | Introducing Loch Sloy, the biggest hydroelectric scheme in Britain. Play now Hydroelectricity |
| 7 | The future of solar power | How photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into electrical energy. A look at the government's incentives for household photovoltaic systems in Germany. Play now The future of solar power |
| 8 | Photovoltaic and solar thermal panels | Solar power stations in Holland generate energy, even on cloudy days. Examining the photovoltaic schemes in operation in the UK and the rest of Europe. Play now Photovoltaic and solar thermal panels |
| 9 | Wave and tidal energy | Will wave energy eventually overtake wind power? A look at today's technology in operation and the offshore devices of the future. Play now Wave and tidal energy |
| 10 | Geothermal energy | How extreme heat occurs beneath the Earth's surface, and how aquifers and bore-holes can provide a valuable source of energy. Play now Geothermal energy |
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Audio reviews
Can anyone help me-I have a radically different idea to tidal power design that offers significant advantages over existing designs,but to whom can I present my idea? Advantages are-24hr/7days reliable generation,whether the tide is coming in,going out or, most importantly,standing still-constant, predicted load essential for reliable power generation
Michael Simpson - 26 January 2014 3:38pm
continuation of previous comment-onshore struture allowing easy maintenance of station-utillisation of existing unused docks with minimal environmental impact-simplistic design using existing technology-sounds all to good to be true? Then challenge me-I need an engineers evaluation of my design as to feasibility-Are there anyone interested?