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RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES - Coggle Diagram
RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES
SOLAR
ADVANTAGES
single dwellings can have own electricity supply
potentially infinite energy supply
maintenance and upkeep costs are low
DISADVANTAGES
energy is only supplied during the daytime and when there is enough sun
solar farms can take up large areas of land
energy can be stored but this is expensive
manufacture and implementation of solar panels can be costly
WOOD
ADVANTAGES
a cheap and readily available source of energy
if the trees are replaced, wood burning can be a longterm, sustainable energy source
DISADVANTAGES
when burned, it gives off atmospheric pollutants
contributes to build-up of greenhouse gases
if trees are not replanted, wood is a non-renewable resource
GEOTERMAL
ADVANTAGES
potentially infinite energy supply
used successfully in some countries, such as New Zealand and Iceland
DISADVANTAGES
can be expensive to set up and only works in areas of volcanic activity
geothermal and volcanic activity might calm down over time, leaving
power stations redundant
dangerous elements found underground must be disposed of carefully
WAVE
ADVANTAGES
ideal for an island country
more likely to be small local operations, rather than done on a national scale
DISADVANTAGES
may be opposed by local or environmental groups.
construction can be costly
BIOMASS
ADVANTAGES
a cheap and readily available source of energy
provides constant, reliable energy
if the crops are replaced, biomass can be a longterm, sustainable
energy source
DISADVANTAGES
contributes to build-up of greenhouse gases
if crops are not replanted, biomass is a non-renewable resource
when burned, it gives off atmospheric pollutants
TIDAL
ADVANTAGES
ideal for an island such as the UK
potential to generate a lot of energy
tidal barrage can double as a bridge, and help prevent flooding
DISADVANTAGES
only a few estuaries are suitable
construction of barrage is very costly
opposed by some environmental groups as having a negative impact on wildlife
WIND
ADVANTAGES
versatile in terms of size and number of turbines
can supply energy to rural areas that are not connected to electricity grid
potentially infinite energy supply
DISADVANTAGES
manufacture and implementation of wind farms can be costly
some argue wind farms are dangerous for birds and other wildlife
wind is an unreliable source of constant energy
some local people object to on-shore wind farms, arguing that it spoils the countryside
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
ADVANTAGES
creates water reserves as well as energy supplies
potentially a good option for countries with high rainfall
pumped storage can supply energy at peak times and then return water to storage using surplus energy when demand is low
DISADVANTAGES
dams have major ecological impacts on local hydrology
cause the flooding of surrounding communities and landscapes
costly to build
build up of plant and other material reduces storage over time