National and global energy resources

• What is a non-renewable energy resource?


  A resource that will eventually run out and is not replaced at the same rate it is being used
• What is a renewable energy resource?


  A resource that will not run out and can be replaced at the same rate it is being used
• What are the main renewable resources available on Earth?

  Solar, wind, wave, geothermal, biofuel, and hydroelectric
• What are the main non-renewable resources available on Earth?


  Coal, oil, gas, and nuclear
• What are the main advantages of using coal as an energy resource?

  It is enough available to meet current demand, reliable, and cheap
• What are the main disadvantages of using coal as an energy resource?

  It will eventually run out, releases CO2 contributing to climate change, and releases sulfur dioxide causing acid rain
• What are the main advantages of using nuclear fuel as an energy resource?


  It releases a lot of energy from a small mass, is reliable, and can control supply to match demand
• What are the main disadvantages of using nuclear fuel as an energy resource?


  Waste is dangerous, difficult, and expensive to deal with
• What are the main advantages of using solar energy?

  It can be used in remote places, produces no polluting gases, has no waste products, and has very low running costs
• What are the main disadvantages of using solar energy?

  It is unreliable, cannot control supply, and has expensive initial setup costs
• What are the main advantages of using tidal power?


  It produces no polluting gases, has no waste products, and has low running costs
• What are the main disadvantages of using tidal power?


  It can harm marine habitats, has expensive initial setup costs, and cannot increase supply when needed
• What are the main advantages of using wave turbines?


  It produces no polluting gases, has no waste products, and is reliable
• What are the main disadvantages of using wave turbines?


  It is unreliable, dependent on weather, and has expensive initial setup costs
• What are the main disadvantages of using wind turbines?


  They are unreliable, dependent on weather, and take up a lot of space
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using geothermal energy?


  Advantages:

  • No polluting gases
  • Low running cost

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Initial setup expensive
  • Available in few locations
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using biofuels?


  Advantages:

  • Can be 'carbon neutral'
  • Reliable

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Expensive to produce
  • Uses land/water that might be needed to grow food
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using hydroelectric power?


  Advantages:

  • No polluting gases
  • Low running cost
  • Reliable
  • Can be controlled to meet demand

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Initial setup expensive
  • Dams can harm marine habitats