point 3

• Solar energy is obtained by capturing the Sun's heat (solar thermal energy) or the Sun's light (solar photovoltaic energy) through solar panels and concentrators.
• The largest producers of electricity from solar energy are China, the USA and Japan.
• Organic matter (agricultural waste, etc.) is transformed into heat energy ( for heating) or to produce electricity and fuel (ethanol, biodiesel, etc.).
• France and the Nordic countries are the largest producers in Europe.
• Brazil and the USA are major ethanol producers.
• The Earth's internal heat is harnessed for domestic heating and hot water, industrial uses and to produce electricity.
• The USA, Indonesia and the Philippines lead world production of geothermal energy.
• The rise and fall of strong tides are used to produce electricity through dams or generators.
• The largest installations of tidal energy are in South Korea, France and the UK.
• Renewable energy sources have clear advantages over traditional sources.
• Renewable energy sources are available in varying amounts all over the world.
• Fossil fuels are only found in some countries.
• Renewable energy sources have a lower environmental impact than traditional sources.
• Despite the advantages, renewable energy also has certain disadvantages.
• Supply from renewable energy sources can be unreliable or irregular, depending on sunshine, wind, rain, etc.
• The electrical energy produced by renewable energy sources is difficult to store.
• These disadvantages make it difficult to balance energy production and consumption.
• In recent years, technological advances have improved the productivity of renewable energy sources and reduced storage problems.
• An example of a technological advancement is the installation of solar panels on a wind turbine tower, which allows the wind turbine to generate electricity during the day even when there is no wind.
• At night, when there is no Sun, it is possible to generate electricity from the wind.
• The share of renewable energies in energy production is increasing each year.
• By 2050, two thirds of the electricity produced is expected to come from renewable sources.
• Many analysts are already talking about a change in the energy model: the transition from the oil era to the electricity era, in which the participation of renewable energy will increase.
• Non-renewable energy sources are controlled by just a few countries and regions, including 9 and 11.
• The largest accessible oil reserves are in the Persian Gulf region, Venezuela and Canada.
• The largest gas reserves are located in the Middle East and Russia.
• The biggest consumers of oil are industrialised countries and the most populous countries.
• The biggest oil-consuming countries are the USA, followed by China.
• The biggest consumers of natural gas are the USA, followed by Russia and China, Coal.
• Coal is the most widespread fossil fuel in the world, with the largest reserves concentrated in the USA, Russia, Australia, China and India.
• China accounts for more than half of global coal consumption.
• Just four countries hold 60 % of the world's uranium reserves: Australia (30 %), Kazakhstan (14 %), Canada (8 %), and Russia (8 %).
• The main producers of nuclear energy are traditionally developed countries, such as the USA (which is also the largest consumer, accounting for 31 % of the world total) and France.
• Countries that have more recently become economic powers have also started to produce nuclear energy.