P3: Energy Resources

What is a renewable energy resource?

An energy resource that is being replenished as it is used and will never run out.

What are the main non renewable energy resources?

• Fossil fuels including coal, oil, and natural gas.

• Nuclear fuel such as uranium and plutonium.

What are the main renewable energy resources?

Biofuel, wind, hydroelectricity, geothermal, tidal, solar, and water waves.

What are the primary uses of energy resources?

Transport, electricity generation, and heating.

How do fossil fuels impact the environment?

• Combustion releases carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change.

• Burning coal and oil releases sulfur dioxide, which causes acid rain that damages habitats and buildings.

What are the environmental advantages and disadvantages of nuclear fuel?

• Advantage: Releases no greenhouse gases during electricity generation.

• Disadvantage: Produces dangerous radioactive waste that must be stored safely for thousands of years, and carries a risk of major nuclear accidents.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of wind power?

• Advantage: Renewable with no greenhouse gas emissions or fuel costs during operation.

• Disadvantage: Unreliable due to weather dependence, high initial construction costs, visual pollution, and noise disturbance.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectricity?

• Advantage: Highly reliable, immediate response to demand, and low running costs.

• Disadvantage: Requires flooding large valleys, which destroys natural habitats and causes loss of biodiversity.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy?

• Advantage: Renewable energy source with no greenhouse gas emissions and useful for remote areas or small installations.

• Disadvantage: Unreliable because output depends on daylight hours and weather, and cannot scale up quickly during peak electricity demand.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of biofuels?

• Advantage: Carbon neutral in theory because growing plants absorb carbon dioxide that is released later during burning.

• Disadvantage: Requires large areas of land to grow crops, leading to deforestation and food vs fuel competition.

Why is the global reliance on fossil fuels changing over time?

• Growing public awareness of environmental damage and global warming.

• Depletion of easily accessible fossil fuel reserves.

• Advances in renewable technology reducing the cost of green energy.

Why is transitioning fully to renewable energy difficult for nations?

• High upfront capital costs to build new renewable power infrastructure.

• Unreliability issues requiring backup fossil fuel or nuclear power plants.

• Political resistance and economic dependency on existing energy industrie