This question is about energy resources and atmospheric pollutants.
Figure 1 shows the percentage of electricity generated on an island grid between 2012 and 2022 using:
- Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO)
- Solar PV (photovoltaic) energy
Describe the changes in the percentage of electricity generated on the island between 2012 and 2022 using:
- Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO)
- Solar PV energy
Use data from Figure 1 in your answer.
Heavy fuel oil contains hydrocarbons (combusted to release carbon dioxide and water) and sulfur impurities. In the high temperatures of the generator engines, nitrogen and oxygen from the air also react to form nitrogen oxides (NOxNO_xNOx).
Explain the environmental effects of releasing these combustion products and gases into the atmosphere.
Suggest one reason why using solar PV energy is a more sustainable way of generating electricity than burning heavy fuel oil.
Solar PV energy may not be able to replace the generation of electricity from heavy fuel oil completely on this island grid. Suggest two reasons why.