Energy Resources
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed.
Non-renewable energy
Once these resources are used up, they cannot be replaced, which is a major problem for humanity as we are currently dependent on them to supply most of our energy needs.
Examples of renewable energy sources
Biofuels
Examples of non-renewable energy
Nuclear power
Fossil fuels
Most biofuels are used as transportation fuels, but they may also be used for heating and electricity generation.
Advantages:
Advantages
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Renewable: Bioethanol and wood are obtained from growing plants, biogas from the recycling of waste products.
Plentiful supply in some locations.
Disadvantages
Geothermal power
Extraction provides jobs.
Geothermal energy is heat energy from the earth. Geothermal resources are reservoirs of hot water that exist or are human made at varying temperatures and depths below the Earth's surface.
Existing technology: the fuel is available for most countries to use
There is al imited suply
Waste can´t be recycled
Risk of radiation: impact of human wealth and on the environment
Small amount of fuels= large amount of energy produced.
Employs people (can work on the power plant)
Doesn´t produce co2
Hydrolectric power
Advantages
Disadvantages
Does not produce carbon dioxide
Growing more plants produces carbon dioxide
Water can be reused for ocher purposes
Potentially a plentiful supply
Carbon dioxide and other toxic gases are produced when burnt
Building of dams impacts the natural flow of
Villages and ecosystems may be destroyed when dams and reservoirs are built
A lot of land is needed to grow crops for fuel
Tidal power
Wave power
Advantages
Disadvantages
Potential removal of natural ecosystems to grow fuel crops
Advantages
Disadvantages
Does not produce carbon dioxide
It uses renewable power
Doesn't produce CO2
Tidal movements do not dependent on weather conditions
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Does not produce carbon dioxide
Not all countries have sea, so it is limited to some areas
Large amounts of resources needed since it is not very efficient.
Limited coastal areas
Impacts on the tourists industry and local fishers
Unlimited supply as uses the heat from the Earth as the power source
Solar power
Advantages
Disadvantages
Doesn´t produce carbon dioxide
It is renewable because the sun isn´t a limited resource
Wind power
Can be expensive to install
Only certain areas have suitable conditions
Advantages
Disadvantages
It is just efficient when the sun reaches the panel, under some especific weather conditions
Only generates at daylight
Does not produce carbon dioxide
Uses a renewable resource
Not all locations are suitables
Generation only occurs in certain conditions (at certain wind speeds)
It contaminates the view
Visual impact
The panels damages the local ecosystems
Uses a large area
Carbon dioxide and toxic gases when burnt (impacting on climate change)
Extraction causes damage to local area
Limited supply: prices will rise as the supplies get
smaller
How each of the resources is used to produce energy
Fossil fuels
Combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas heats water to produce steam that drives turbines connected to generators.
Nuclear power
Nuclear fission in reactors generates heat, which produces steam to drive turbines and generate electricity.
Biofuels
Organic matter like plants and animal waste is converted into fuel, which is then burned to produce steam for electricity generation
Geothermal power
Organic matter like plants and animal waste is converted into fuel, which is then burned to produce steam for electricity generation
Hydroelectric power
The force of falling or flowing water turns turbines connected to generators, converting the kinetic energy into electricity.
Tidal power
Wave power
By the up-and-down motion of floating devices placed on the surface of the ocean.
Tidal movements drive turbines, capturing the kinetic energy of the tides and converting it into electricity.
Solar power
Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into electricity using semiconducting materials.
Wind power
Wind turbines capture the kinetic energy of the wind and convert it into electricity through the rotation of their blades.