Energy Resources

Renewable Energy Resource

An energy source that is replenished at a faster rate than at which it is being used.

Types of Renewable Energy Resources

Solar heating panels

Solar cells

Wind

Hydroelectricity

Geothermal

Wave

Tidal

Non-Renewable Energy resources

Fossil fuels ( coal, oil, natural gas )

Nuclear Fuel

Wind

Wind turns turbines directly, this turns a generator which generates electricity.

Energy is transferred from kinetic energy store of wind, to the kinetic energy store of the turbine, to the kinetic store of the generator.

Hydroelectric ( water )

Water is stored at a height ( dam ) when it is released, the moving water is used to turbines directly, which turns the generator, which generates electricity.

Energy is transferred from gravitational potential store of water, to the kinetic store of the water, to the kinetic store of the turbine, to the kinetic store of the generator.

Tidal ( water )

Water is stored at a height ( tidal barrage ) at high and low tide, when released the moving water is used to turn turbines directly, this turns a generators which generates electricity.

Energy is transferred from the gravitational potential store of the water, to the kinetic store of the water, to the kinetic store of the turbine, to the kinetic store of the generator.

Wave ( water )

Motion of water due to waves is used to turn turbines directly. This turns a generators which generates electricity.

Energy is transferred from the kinetic store of the water to the kinetic store of the turbine to the kinetic store of the generator.

Geothermal Resources

Hot rocks underground are used to heat water. This produces steam that turns turbines which turns a a generator which generates electricity.

Energy is transferred from the thermal store of the rocks to the thermal store of the water to the kinetic store of the turbine to the kinetic store of the generator.

Solar heating systems

Solar heating panes, use sunlight to heat water in small pipes within the panels to produce warm water for houses.

Energy is transferred from the nuclear store of the sun, to the thermal store of the panel, to the thermal store of the water.

Solar Cells

Solar cells use ( EM Radiation ) to directly produce a current. When sunlight falls on solar cells, electrons are released from the metal in the solar cells, this is directed to a circuit, producing a current.

Energy is transferred by radiation from the nuclear store of the sun, to the thermal store of the solar cells.

Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels are combusted to heat water to produce steam that turns turbines to generate electricity.

Energy is transferred from the chemical store of the fuel, to the thermal store of the water, to the kinetic store of the turbine, to the kinetic store of the generator.

Nuclear Power

Nuclear fuels are reacted to heat water to produce steam that turns turbines to generate electricity.

Energy is transferred from the nuclear store of the fuel, to the thermal store of the water, to the kinetic store of the turbine, to the kinetic store of the generator.