advantages and disadvantages (renewable)

• fossil fuels

  1. readily available
  2. cheap
  3. not reliable on weather

  • pollution
  • global warming
  • acid rain
  • oil spillage
• Biofuels

  1. quick
  2. natural
  3. carbon neutral

  • natural habitats cleared for crops
  • food crops lost
• nuclear

  • low carbon
  • non reliable on weather
  • radioactive waste is dangerous and difficult to get rid of
• wave

  1. no pollution
  2. minimal running costs
  3. non-reliable on weather

  • boat hazard
  • unreliable
  • eyesore
• Tidal

  1. No pollution
  2. Minimal running costs
  3. Barrages store energy

  • tide height is variable so output varies
  • hazard to boats
  • initial costs can be high
  • environmental impacts
• Hydroelectric

  1. No pollution
  2. No fuel costs
  3. Minimal running costs
  4. fairly reliable

  • drought
  • high initial costs
  • flooding has an impact on the environment
• geothermal

  1. free
  2. renewable
  3. no real environmental problems

  • cost of drilling several kms
• solar cells

  1. no pollution
  2. Good in sunny countries
  3. free
  4. almost zero running costs

  • initially expensive
  • daytime only
  • developing technology

  (solar panels)

  • no electricity produced
• wind

  1. no pollution
  2. free
  3. low running costs

  • eyesore
  • noise
  • depends on wind/weather