Energy and energy resources

Non-renewable → not easy to replace

Power stations

Chemical energy stored → Thermal energy store → Kinetic energy store → Kinetic energy store → Transferred away electrically

e.g. Fuel → Boiler → Turbine → Generator → Grid

Fossil fuels

+ Accessible through existing infrastructure

+ Reliable (does not rely on external conditions like the weather)

- Produces CO2

- It is non-renewable

Nuclear energy

+ Does not produce CO2

+ Reliable (will function in summer or winter)

- Have expensive decommissioning costs

- They threaten nuclear disaster events (Chernobyl)

Wind turbines

+ You can place them over the ocean and save land

+ They do not produce CO2

- They kill birds and bats

- They create noise pollution

Geothermal

+ You can heat water directly to home without using electricity

+ No CO2

- Exceptionally expensive maintenance costs (deep in ground)

- Only available in some regions of the Earth (volcanic activity)

Solar cells → generating electricity

+ Renewable and no CO2

+ You can place on existing buildings

- Does not work at night

- Not all regions are sunny enough

Solar heating (no electricity)

+ Less complex systems needed

+ Can be used in remote locations

- Only works in the day

- Long payback time

Wave powder

+ Renewable and no CO2

+ Minimum running cost

- Seal ife can be harmed

- Reliant on wind, waves and tides

Tidal power

+ No CO2 and renewable

+ Predict tidal patterns

- Trap sea life

- Stops natural currents to and from rivers

Hydroelectric power stations (HPE)

+ Energy can be released on demand

+ No CO2 and renewable

- Only available in countries with rainy weather

- Can cause flood if dam wall breaks