Energy resources

We use energy resources to generate electricity, heat homes and power transport. Non-renewable resources will run out; renewable ones are replaced naturally but can be unreliable or need a lot of space.

Key facts

  • Non-renewable: coal, oil, gas (fossil fuels) and nuclear.
  • Renewable: solar, wind, hydroelectric, tidal, wave, geothermal, biofuel.
  • Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, which adds to climate change.
  • Reliability matters: wind and solar vary; fossil fuels and nuclear can run all the time.

Worked examples

Example 1

Give one advantage and one disadvantage of wind turbines.

  1. Advantage: no fuel costs and no carbon dioxide while running.
  2. Disadvantage: no electricity when the wind doesn’t blow, and some people think they spoil the view.

Answer: No fuel or CO₂; unreliable when there’s no wind