Renewable sources of Energy

• Renewable energy resource


  One that is being or can be replenished as it's used
• Renewable energy resources


  • Wind power
  • Solar power
  • Hydroelectric power
  • Tidal power
  • Biofuels
  • Geothermal
• Advantages of renewable energy resources

  • They'll never run out
  • They do not add any carbon dioxide to the atmosphere
• Disadvantages of renewable energy resources


  • Wind power and solar power are not reliable
  • Habitats are destroyed when dams are built for hydroelectric power and valleys are flooded
  • Tidal power may be harmful to wildlife
  • Wave power is still small-scale and experimental
  • Geothermal energy is not used much in the UK
  • Most energy use in the UK is for transport which is not easily replaced by renewable electricity
• Biofuels


  Produced from plant materials, carbon neutral as the growing plant took in carbon dioxide
• Biofuels can be used to power vehicles such as cars and buses
• Using land to grow crops for biofuel could push up the price of food
• Tidal Power ?


  Proposal to build a tidal barrage across the river estuary
• A tidal barrage will only generate electricity at high tide so it cannot supply constant power like other forms of electricity generation.
• The barrage would have turbines that turn as water flows through them.
• Wave Power Disadvantages?

  
  

  • Disturbs the seabeds and habitats of marine animls , spoils the view
  • Poses a hazard to boats
  • Unreliable
  • Small scale and initial costs are high