Types of energy sources

What is non-renewable energy and what are the sources?

Non-Renewable Energy

• Non-renewable energy sources are finite and will eventually run out

• They include:

  • gas

  • oil

  • coal

  • nuclear 

• Fossil fuel energy sources are one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions

What are the advantages and disadvantages of gas?

Gas

Advantages	Efficient The least polluting of fossil fuels Easy to transport - pipes Easy to produce energy from  Reliable
Disadvantages	Risk of explosions Releases CO2 one of the main greenhouse gases Air pollution Price fluctuates

What are the advantages and disadvantages of oil?

Oil

Advantages	Efficient Less polluting than coal Quite easy to transport - pipes or barrels Easy to produce energy from  Reliable
Disadvantages	Risk of oil spills - Exxon Valdez Risk of fire/explosions - Piper Alpha oil platform Low world reserves Releases CO2 one of the main greenhouse gases Air pollution  Price fluctuates

What are the advantages and disadvantages of coal?

Coal

Advantages	Large world reserves Mechanisation and technology have made coal more accessible and cheaper Cheap Efficient Easy to produce energy from  Reliable
Disadvantages	Releases CO2 one of the main greenhouse gases Releases SO2 which leads to acid rain Opencast mines destroy habitats Heavy and bulky to transport Mining accidents Air pollution

What are the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear?

Nuclear

Advantages	No greenhouse gas emissions  Efficient Small amounts of uranium needed
Disadvantages	Nuclear waste is radioactive and expensive to dispose of Power stations are expensive Risk of nuclear accidents - Chernobyl, Fukushima Possible health impacts in the areas around nuclear power stations

What is renewable energy and what are the sources?

Renewable Energy

• Renewable energy sources are those which are infinite and will not run out. They include:

  • Hydroelectric

  • Wave/tidal

  • Wind

  • Solar

  • Geothermal

  • Biomass/waste

• Once in place except for biomass/waste, they do not produce any greenhouse gas emissions

• Greenhouse gases may be emitted in the production, construction and transport of the equipment

What are the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric?

Hydroelectric

Advantages	No greenhouse gas emissions Controls flooding downstream Often in sparsely populated areas May provide water storage for irrigation and domestic use
Disadvantages	Large areas of land are flooded behind the dam Dam traps sediment which can affect ecosystems downstream Visual pollution Can prevent fish movement upstream People and settlements may have to be relocated Expensive to build and maintain

What are the advantages and disadvantages of wave/tidal?

Wave/tidal

Advantages	No greenhouse gas emissions No air pollution Has the potential to produce large amounts of energy Reliable
Disadvantages	Expensive to build and maintain Can affect marine ecosystems Few suitable sites

What are the advantages and disadvantages of wind?

Wind

Advantages	No greenhouse gas emissions No air pollution Can be small or large scale  Cheap to run Can be on land or offshore
Disadvantages	Not reliable only works when the wind is strong enough but not too strong Visual pollution Noise pollution  Many turbines (233) are needed to produce the same energy as an average coal-fired power station May affect bird migration patterns or kill birds who fly into the moving blades

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar?

Solar

Advantages	No greenhouse gas emissions  No air pollution Can be small or large scale  Can be used in most locations Can be incorporated into building design
Disadvantages	Expensive Not reliable only works when it is sunny Large numbers needs to produce energy Uses large areas of land

What are the advantages and disadvantages of geothermal?

Geothermal

Advantages	No CO2 gases Lots of potential sites Reliable  Can produce large amounts of energy
Disadvantages	Expensive Emits sulphuric gases High temperatures cause machinery to break

What are the advantages and disadvantages of biomass/waste?

Biomass/waste

Advantages	Uses waste or biofuels which regrow Available in most locations
Disadvantages	Air pollution Produces greenhouse gases Expensive