4.1.3 - National and Global Energy Resources

Energy

What is a renewable energy resource?

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

Give FOUR examples of renewable energy resources.

1. Wind energy
2. Hydro-Electricity
3. Tidal energy
4. Solar energy

Give an example of a non-renewable energy resource.

Fossil fuels (fore example coal, oil and gas)

What are the advantages of generating power using gas rather than coal?

Flexible Generation: gas power stations have short start-up times can be switched on/off more readily

Lower emissions of carbon dioxide

State TWO disadvantages of using renewable energy resources to generate power.

Output often determined by external factors (like wind speed), so supply is uncertain

Generating power through other means is often more efficient and economically beneficial

Explain the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels.

Carbon dioxide contributes to the greenhouse effect, and causes global warming

Sulphur dioxide leads to acid rain, which can damage buildings and crops

State THREE advantages of fossil fuels as an energy resource.

1. Reliable: Not dependent on external factors so can generate power anytime
2. Can produce large amounts of energy for a given quantity
3. Still relatively abundant, so cost-effective

State THREE advantages of nuclear power.

1. Very large amounts of energy for relatively small quantities of fuel
2. Doesn’t release greenhouse gases and so doesn’t contribute to climate change
3. Low fuel costs

State THREE disadvantages of nuclear power.

1. Produces nuclear waste which is harmful to humans and must be safely stored for centuries
2. Non-renewable energy source
3. Risk of nuclear accidents, which have fatal consequences on humans and the environment

How does hydroelectric power produce energy?

Rainwater collects behind a dam

When this water is released, it is used to turn a turbine

This turbine turns a generator which produces electricity

What are some disadvantages of using biofuels?

When plants are burned or decay they release CO2

In order to grow biofuels, you need to destroy land which leads to problems because:

The land could have been natural habitats

Destroying land may involve burning plants growing on it, which would release CO2

Growing biofuels reduces the land available for growing food

What are the advantages of tidal energy sources?

They do not produce greenhouse gases

They are quite reliable, as tides happen twice a day

They are cheap to run as tides are natural, and so are free

What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power?

The dam may cause flooding

It can cost a lot to install the required infrastructure

What are some advantages of solar panels?

They don’t cause harm to the environment

They are a renewable resource

They can be used in remote areas where other types of energy are less accessible

Give an example of a social factor which may act as a deterrent for certain types of energy production.

Visual pollution

Sound pollution

(both of these are disadvantages of wind farms)