Energy Resources

• What does non-renewable mean?

  It will run out.
• Name two non-renewable energy resources.

  Fossil fuels and nuclear power.
• What does renewable mean?

  It won't run out.
• Name three renewable energy resources.

  Wind, solar, tidal, wave, hydroelectric, geothermal and biofuel.
• Why are many renewable energy resources 'unreliable'?

  Because they're weather dependent.
• Why is it an advantage if an energy resource is 'reliable'?

  Because it is predictable.
• Name two greenhouse gases.

  Carbon dioxide and methane.
• What are the effects of rising carbon dioxide levels?

  Greenhouse effect causes global warming and climate change; melting ice caps; rising sea levels; floods; drought; habitat loss; extinction of species.
• Name advantages of using fossil fuels?

  Cheap, available, reliable and transportable.
• Name disadvantages of using fossil fuels.

  Non-renewable, releases CO2 and releases sulfur dioxide (acid rain).
• Name advantages of using nuclear power.

  Reliable, no carbon dioxide, produces large amounts of energy from a small mass of fuel.
• Name disadvantages of using nuclear power.

  Non-renewable, radioactive waste, expensive (commission and decommissioning), risk of nuclear leak.
• Name advantages of using wind energy.

  Renewable, no carbon dioxide, good for remote locations, no fuel costs.
• Name disadvantages of wind energy.

  Weather dependent, requires large amounts of space, visual and noise pollution, kills migrating birds.
• Name advantages of solar power.

  Renewable, no carbon dioxide, good for remote locations.
• Name disadvantages of solar power.

  Weather dependent, only available during daylight hours, cannot be used on a large scale.
• Name advantages of hydroelectric power.

  Renewable, no carbon dioxide, reliable, can generate large amounts of electricity.
• Name disadvantages of hydroelectric power.

  Expensive to build dams, causes local flooding, harm aquatic habitats, only available in a few locations.
• Name advantages of tidal power.

  Renewable, no carbon dioxide, tides are reliable, no fuel costs.
• Name disadvantages of tidal power.

  Only available during change in tides, harm aquatic habitats, expensive to set up.
• Name advantages of wave power.

  Renewable, no carbon dioxide, no fuel costs.
• Name disadvantages of wave power.

  Weather dependent, expensive to set up, harm aquatic and marine life, cannot be used on a large scale.
• Name advantages of geothermal power.

  Renewable, no carbon dioxide, no fuel cost.
• Name disadvantages of geothermal power.

  Only available in a few locations, expensive to set up.
• Name advantages of biofuels.

  Renewable, 'carbon neutral', reliable.
• Name disadvantages of biofuels.

  Expensive to produce, may use land/water needed for food farming.