An energy resource is a source of the energy we use in everyday life. This is different from energy forms. (such as coal, oil, gas, solar, wind, Fossil fuels Water waves , Nuclear fuels, Biofuels, Tides, Wind, Hydroelectricity, Geothermal, Sun etc.)
Energy forms
- Electric, thermal, kinetic etc.
Fossil fuels
- Chemical, non renewable, transport, heating, electricity generation, releases C02.
Water waves
- Kinetic, renewable, electricity generation, low impact on the environment
- Chemical, renewable, transport heating, electricity generation, carbon neutral - takes up space on fields.
Tides
- Kinetic, renewable, electricity generation, tidal barrages which blocks sewages.
Wind
- Kinetic, renewable, electricity generation, takes up large areas of fields.
Hydroelectricity
- Gravitational potential, renewable, electricity generation, local habitats affected.
Geothermal
- Internal, renewable, electricity generation, heating, low effects on the environment.
Sun
- Nuclear, renewable, electricity generation, heating, very low effect on the environment.
What do we mean by non-renewable energy resources?
Non-renewable means that the fuel run out one day. For example, fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gases and relying on them for energy generation is unsustainable. So we need to find more renewable, sustainable ways of generating energy.
What are some examples of this?
- Oil = 50 years left
- Natural = 70 years left
- Coal = 250 years left
What do we mean when we say a resource is more or less reliable?
- Energy that includes the weather can sometimes be unreliable. For example, solar energy could be unreliable because if it has not been sunny for a while you would need a back- up energy source. This is the same for wind energy as if the weather is calm and there is hardly any wind the wind turbines would not work which would mean they wouldn’t generate any energy. A reliable source would be fossil fuels or nuclear fuels.
Advantages and disadvantages of a renewable resource.
Renewable resources have no fuel costs, but the equipment used is expensive to build.
Advantages and disadvantages of a non-renewable energy resources.
- A disadvantage of non-renewable energy is that it is time-consuming. Mining of coal, searching for oil, installing oil drills, building oil rigs.
Why is it a good idea for a country to use a range of different energy sources?
- It is a good idea to use a range of different energy resources because if you decide to use a source like solar energy or wind energy which is better for the environment than things such as fossil fuels, these options can also be less reliable than than fossil fuels (which release C02) or nuclear energy( can cause radioactive waste) so you may need a back up. As, if it is powering a whole town or city, and there is no sun or wind you would be without power so, you back ups.