Using Energy

• What is a renewable energy resource?


  An energy source which can be replenished as it is being used up.
• What are four examples of renewable energy resources?

  1. Wind Energy
  2. Hydro-Electricity
  3. Tidal Energy
  4. Solar Energy
• Give an example of a non-renewable energy resource.


  Fossil fuels (for example coal, oil and gas).
• What are the advantages of generating power using gas rather than coal?

  Gas power stations have short start-up times and lower emissions of carbon dioxide.
• What are two disadvantages of using renewable energy resources to generate power?

  • Output often determined by external factors (like wind speed), so supply is uncertain.
  • Renewable fuels often produce less energy per kg (so are less economical).
• Explain the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels.

  Carbon Dioxide contributes to the greenhouse effect, and Sulphur Dioxide leads to acid rain.
• What are three advantages of fossil fuels as an energy resource?

  1. Reliable: Not dependent on external factors so can generate power anytime.
  2. Produce large amounts of energy per kg.
  3. Still relatively abundant, so cost-effective.
• What are three advantages of nuclear power?

  1. Very large amounts of energy per kg of fuel.
  2. No greenhouse gases released, so doesn’t contribute to climate change.
  3. Low fuel costs.
• What are three disadvantages of nuclear power?

  1. Produces nuclear waste which is harmful to humans & must be safely stored for centuries.
  2. Non-Renewable energy source.
  3. Risk of nuclear accidents, which have fatal consequences on humans and the environment.
• What are examples of social factors to consider in energy production?


  • Visual Pollution
  • Sound Pollution (both of these are disadvantages of wind farms).
• How does hydroelectric power produce energy?


  • Rainwater collects behind a dam.
  • When this water is released, it is used to turn a turbine.
  • This turbine turns a generator which produces electricity.
• What are some disadvantages of using biofuels?

  • When plants are burned/decay they release CO2.
  • Habitat destruction due to land being cleared for biofuels.
  • Growing biofuels reduces the land available for food crops.
• What are the advantages of tidal energy sources?

  • No greenhouse gases.
  • Fairly reliable - tides occur twice a day.
  • Cheap to run as tides are natural, so free.
• What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power?

  • The dam may cause flooding.
  • It can cost a lot to install the required infrastructure.
• What are some advantages of solar panels?

  • They don’t cause harm to the environment.
  • They are a renewable resource.
  • They can be used in remote areas where other types of energy are less accessible.