4.19 describe the advantages and disadvantages of methods of large-scale electricity production from various renewable and non-renewable resources

advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels

advantages

• efficient at electricity generation

• reliable (doesn’t rely on weather)

• readily available

disadvantages

• all fossil fuels release CO₂ which is a greenhouse gas

• release sulphur dioxide when combusted which produces acid rain

• increasing fuel costs

• fossil fuels are non-renewable so they will eventually run out

advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power

advantages

• reliable

• lots of uranium available

• efficient at energy generation

• no release of CO2 or sulphur dioxide: don’t produce greenhouse gases or acid rain

disadvantages

• nuclear reactors are expensive to build and maintain

• hazardous radioactive waste produced

• small risk of nuclear meltdown/accident

• non-renewable: will run out

advantages and disadvantages of wind farms

advantages

• cheap to maintain

• no pollutants produced (while operating)

• renewable

disadvantages

• expensive to build/set up

• noisy

• unreliable

• not pleasing to look at

advantages and disadvantages of geothermal energy

advantages

• renewable

• reliable

• efficient at electricity generation

• doesn’t produce pollutants

disadvantages

• can only be used in selected areas

• expensive to build

advantages and disadvantages of solar energy

advantages

• renewable

• no pollutants produced while operating

• low maintenance costs

disadvantages

• dependant on sunlight

• inefficient at electricity generation

• take up a lot of land space

advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric power

advantages

• renewable

• low running costs

• reliable

• large amount of energy can be produced without pollution

disadvantages

• can flood land upstream

• affects local ecology

• few locations

• high upfront building costs

advantages and disadvantages of tidal power

advantages

• reliable: tides are predictable

• cheap to run

• efficient at electricity generation

• renewable

disadvantages

• expensive to set up

• hazardous to wildlife

advantages and disadvantages of biofuels

advantages

• renewable

• cheaper than fossil fuels

• burned biofuels produce a lot less CO2 (combusting plants produces as much carbon as they absorb during growth)

• reduces reliance on fossil fuels

disadvantages

• takes up lots of land

• consumes resources that are needed for food production