Energy resources

• Renewable energy resource


  Sources of energy that will not run out, because they can be replaced
• Non-renewable energy source


  Energy resources that will run out and cannot be replaced
• Examples of renewable energy resources

  • Wind
  • Water
  • Solar
  • Geothermal
  • Biofuels
• Fossil fuels


  • Coal
  • Oil
  • Gas
• Most of the energy you use probably comes from burning fossil fuels
• Fossil fuels are burnt in engines for cars, ships, and aeroplanes, and to heat your house
• Fossil fuels can also be burnt to generate electricity
• Electricity generation in a fossil fuel power plant

  1. Fuel is burnt to heat water

  2. Steam turns a turbine

  3. A turbine turns a generator

  4. Electricity is generated
• Fossil fuels were formed from the remains of plants and animals that died hundreds of millions of years ago
• Nuclear power is a non-renewable source
• Nuclear power station


  A power station where thermal energy used to make steam is released from atoms that are being split
• Hydroelectric


  Water flows through a gap in a dam and turns a turbine, which turns a generator to generate electricity
• Waves


  The movement of the waves can be used to generate electricity
• Tidal


  Water from high tide is trapped behind a barrier. As it is released it turns a turbine, which turns a generator
• Solar radiation


  Transfers energy from the Sun
• Geothermal


  Water is pumped underground where there are hot rocks, becoming steam that turns turbines, which turn a generator
• Biofuels


  Fuels made from living things or their waste products
• Methane gas can be made from animal waste
• Ethanol can be made from sugar canes
• The world needs to find renewable energy sources
• Most of the electricity we use is generated by burning fossil fuels
• These fuels are non-renewable
• The world is starting to use more sources of energy such as renewable