Natural Energy Resources

• Main uses of Ireland's energy resources

  Dimestic purpose Transport Industry and business
• Renewable energy resources


  a source of energy that can be replaced as it is used or that cannot be used up (e.g. solar power, wind energy, geothermal energy)
• Non-renewable resources


  a resource that cannot be reused or replaced easily (e.g. oil, gas, peat and coal)
• Case Study : Oil - Saudi Arabia


  Worlds second highest producer of oil, sources 22% of world's crude oil
• Environmental Impacts (Saudi Arabia)

  Saudi Arabia has some of the highest CO2 emissions in the world, oil is the country's main energy source
• Economic Impacts (Saudi Arabia)

  The economy's stability is reliant on production of oil, in 2016 oil was worth €133 billion per year to the country
• Social Impacts (Saudi Arabia)


  Saudi Arabia is now one of the richest countries in the world with a very high standard of living, and modern homes, schools, hospitals etc. Saudi Bedouins have changed from Nomadic lifestyles to one settled in urban areas. This is all down to money made by Saudi Arabia in oil production
• Case Study : Peat - Ireland

  Peat is a natural resource that has been used for centuries as a source of hat and energy in Ireland. Bord na Móna is responsible for the sustainable exploitation of peat in Ireland today
• Raised Bogs (peat case study)

  8 metres deep, exploited mainly by Bord na Móna, mostly found in midlands of Ireland
• Blanket Bogs (peat case study)

  3-4 metres deep, exploited mainly by individuals, found along west coast if Ireland
• Environmental Impacts (peat case study)

  Bord na Móna committed to reducing co2 emissions and to stopping the harvest of peat energy by 2030 - this will regenerate wildlife habits in big areas, Bord na Móna Will produce biomass and wind energy instead of
• Economic Impacts (peat case study)

  2015, Bord na Móna employed a workforce of 2000 people - which was source of employment for locals, and income for the local community as employees spent money in local economy
• Environmental consequences of non-renewable energy

  Damage to farmland and forests, damage to building and acid rain
• Acid rain

  1. Acidic gases released into atmosphere 2. These gases are carried by wind 3. Gases then dissolve in rain water to form acid rain Acid rain kills plant life, polluted rivers and erodes stonework
• Renewable energy source in Ireland : Solar energy - solar panels


  1. Solar panels convert sun's energy into electricity 2. A converter changes this electricity to power electrical items 3. The electricity passes through a breaker box to sockets in building 4. TVs, appliances etc. can be plugged into these sockets for power 5. The extra energy can be credited
• advantages of solar energy

  Renewable, clean energy with no waste product, inexpensive to maintain and the technology is easy to install
• Disadvantages of solar energy

  Not possible at night, weather dependant meaning when it is cloudy less energy is produced
• Environmental benefits of solar energy

  Solar panels are a clean renewable energy source which eliminate the use of oil/gas boiler, solid fuel stove, electrical immersion to heat water which reduces co2 emissions
• Economic benefits of solar energy

  Solar panels help to lower electricity bills, many companies have been set up in Ireland to install solar panels such as Solar Home Ireland which creates employment