energy resources

renewable

naturally reform relatively quickly so using them doesnt reduce future availability

depletable

use can reduce future availability including renewables where unsustained exploitation reduces availability

non renewable

not being formed or reform so slowly current use reduces availability

non depletable

a supply or resource that can’t be used up exhausted or run out as its infinite or renews as people use it

abundance

amount of resource that exists- not the same as the amount available for use

local contraints

resources not distributed evenly - each has own locational factors

intermittency

if an energy resource is not available at times when needed it is difficult to rely on

predictability

some resources are intermittent but can be predicted when they’re available so other plans of using alternative resources can be made when unavailable

energy density

measure of the amount of energy in a given mass of energy resource

resource availability

amount of energy available

difficult to estimate - could be abundant - resource which can’t be exploited with any existing technology

need for conversions

form in which energy is harnessed not necessarily form it will be delivered in end

applicability for specific uses

available energy resources have shaped the way societies have developed and it can be too difficult for society to change to resources of different characteristics

ease of storage

being able to store energy is important so it is available when needed

ease of transportation

energy resources rarely found in areas when demand is highest so must be transported

environmental impacts

exploitation of energy harms environment - manufacture of exploitating equipment = damage

technological development

period of development before practical use- to refine technology to make it more efficient

political influences

governments may decide to provide assistance to particular section of industry

economic influences

hard to calculate cost of energy- doesnt always cover environmental damage and assess impacts