National and global energy resources

List the main renewable energy sources

nuclear fuel, bio-fuel, wind, hydro- electricity, geothermal, the tides, the Sun and water waves.

List the main non-renewable energy sources

fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas)

what is a renewable energy resource?

An energy source which can be replenished as it is being used up.

how can non renewable energy resources be used for transport?

petrol and diesel powered vehicles use fuel created from oil, coal in old fashioned steam trains boil water to produce steam

how can renewable energy be used for transport

vehicles that run on bio fuels

How can non-renewable energy resources be used for heating?

natural gas heats homes, coal in fireplaces
electric heaters which use electricity generated from non renewable energy resources

how can renewable energy resources be used for heating?

- geothermal heat pump uses geothermal energy resources, solar water heaters work by using the sun to heat water which is then pumped into radiators in the building, burning bio fuel or using electricity generated from renewable resources can also be used for heating

wind power advantages

No fuel, no pollution
Economic
Domestic
CO2e free

wind power disadvantages

They spoil the view, very noisy, unreliable as they depend on the weather, initial costs are quite high

solar cells advantages

- No pollution (Quite a lot during manufacture)
- Energy is free
- Running costs almost nil

Geothermal power advantages

Reliable and relatively inexpensive
Pollution free

geothermal power disadvantages

Hard to locate sources, very high costs

hydroelectricity advantages

- No pollution
- No fuels cost and low running costs
- Quick response to an increase in demand
- Good reliability (except during a drought)
- Can be put in remote locations to reduce impact on humans

hydroelectricity disadvantages

Limited amount can be installed in any given area, high construction costs, threats to river ecosystems, loss of habitat, agricultural land, and cultural heritage, displacement of people, siltation

wave power advantages

- No pollution produced
- No fuels costs
- Minimal running costs

wave power disadvantages

- Disturbs the seabed
- Hazard to boats
- Unreliable

tidal barrages advantages

There is no pollution, pretty reliable as they always happen twice a day, no fuel floats and minimal running costs

tidal barrages disadvantages

- Prevents free access for boats
- Spoils the scenary
- Alters the habitat for wildlife
- High initial costs
- Not suitable at all estuaries

bio fuels advantages

•mainly renewable (assuming good farming techniques)
•little greenhouse gas production
•issues the waste from other processes (fermentation)

bio fuels disadvantages

The cost to reine biofuels is high,use a lot of space and water, in some regions large areas of forests are cleared and it produces carbon dioxide and methane

environmental problems of non renewables

- Coal, oil and gas release CO2 into the atmosphere when they're burned adding to the greenhouse gas
- burning coal and oil releases sulphur dioxide causing acid rain
- oil spillages causing serious environmental problems affecting mammals and birds
- nuclear waste is dangerous

ethical problems of non renewable energy resources

nuclear power is expensive
nuclear power carries the risk of major disaster like the catastrophe in Fukushima disaster in Japan

Trends in Energy Resource Use

-Currently still depend on fossil fuels - electricity use increased as population grew which is produced from fossil fuels
-People want to use more renewable energy resources - we know its damaging to environment and pressure from other countries
-The use of renewables is limited by reliability, money and politics - arguments where to put them, expensive,

how is the use of renewable limited by reliability, money, politics

- expensive to build renewable power plants
- arguments over where to put renewable power plants
- arguments whether it is ethical to make people put up with wind farms next to their houses
- wind power isn't as reliable as fossil fuels
- research costs money and time
- making personal changes is expensive eg hybrid cars