JC Science - Energy sources

Non renewable energy

Energy that you can only use once + will eventually run out

Examples of non renewable energy

-Coal
-Peat
-Gas
-Oil
-Nuclear

Fossil fuels

Fuels made from compressed remains of dead organisms that have been heated + compressed over millions of years

Examples of fossil fuels

-Coal
-Oil
-Pet
-Natural gas

Fossil fuel: Advantages

-Low cost
-High energy net yield
-Easily transported
-Cheap + easy to produce

Fossil fuel: Disadvantages

It will eventually run out causing air pollution + CO2

Nuclear energy

Nuclear energy is produced by splitting uranium atoms in a nuclear reactor (nuclear fission)

Nuclear energy: Advantages

-No air pollution
-Countries can limit needs for imported term-4oil

Nuclear energy: Disadvantages

-Will eventually run out
-Produces radioactive nuclear waste
-Risk of accidents + explosions

Renewable energy

Energy that can be used repeatedly + will never run out

Examples of renewable energy

-Wind
-Solar
-Hydroelectric
-Tidal
-Geothermal energy
-Biomass
-Wave

Wind energy

Energy captured by transforming the motion of air into electrical energy through turbines

Wind energy: Advantages

-Renewable
-Can be built almost anywhere

Wind energy: Disadvantages

-Noise pollution
-Harm to avian life
-Permanent scar on natural landscape

Solar energy

Energy from sun converted into thermal / electrical energy

Solar energy: Advantages

-Easy to install + maintain
-Clean + no waste product

Solar energy: Disadvantages

-Doesn't work at night
-Weather dependent

Hydroelectric energy

Electricity produced by water power using large dams in rivers

Hydroelectric energy: Advantages

-No pollution
-No fuel costs
-Renewable

Hydroelectric energy: Disadvantages

-Won't work if there is no water
-Destroys animals habitats

Tidal energy

Barrage traps water at each high tide. Then water is released through turbines which drive a generator

Tidal energy: Advantages

-Consistent supply
-Renewable
-No greenhouse gases

Tidal energy: Disadvantages

-Can only be used beside the sea
-Doesn't look nice
-Expensive to build

Geothermal energy

Use heat from under the earths surface to produce energy

Geothermal energy: Advantages

-Most environmentally friendly way to heat home
-Renewable

Geothermal energy: Disadvantages

-Expensive to install
-Changes the stability of the ground

Biomass

Energy produced by burning wood, food, waste + crops

Biomass: Advantages

-CO2 is neutral if done sustainably
-Available in all areas
-Plantations can restore degraded land

Biomass: Disadvantages

Increased CO2 if unsustainable

Wave energy

Energy harnessed by the power of the waves

Wave energy: Advantages

-Renewable
-No greenhouse gases

Wave energy: Disadvantages

-Not always wavy so its not consistent
-Harms sealife

Global energy needs

Our global energy needs are increasing due to our increasing population + economic development

Meeting our energy needs

Most of the energy we use is produced from fossil fuels

Energy needs in Ireland

Ireland has set targets to reduce fossil fuels burnt by 2020