1.2.1-Energy Resources

• Types of Energy Resources

  • Renewable
  • Non-renewable
• Renewable Energy Resources

  Replenished naturally and can be used repeatedly without running out, as long as they are managed sustainably
• Types of Renewable Energy

  • Solar Energy
  • Wind Energy
  • Hydroelectric Energy
  • Geothermal Energy
  • Biomass Energy
• Solar Energy

  Energy from the Sun
• Solar Energy Applications

  • Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity or heat
  • Commonly used for heating water and generating electricity
• Solar Energy Advantages

  • Abundant
  • Reduces electricity bills
  • No greenhouse gas emissions during operation
• Solar Energy Disadvantages

  • Intermittent
  • Requires space
• Wind Energy

  Energy from wind using wind turbines
• Wind Energy Applications

  • Wind turbines convert kinetic energy from wind into electricity
• Wind Energy Advantages

  • Renewable
  • Reduces reliance on fossil fuels
  • Low operational costs
• Wind Energy Disadvantages

  • Intermittent
  • Noise
  • Impact on wildlife
  • Visual impact
• Hydroelectric Energy

  Energy from moving water, usually from dams
• Hydroelectric Energy Applications

  • Dams store water in reservoirs; when released, it drives turbines to generate electricity
• Hydroelectric Energy Advantages

  • Reliable
  • Flexible
  • Provides water supply and flood control
• Hydroelectric Energy Disadvantages

  • Environmental impact on aquatic ecosystems
  • High initial costs
  • Displacement of communities
• Geothermal Energy


  Energy from heat stored beneath the Earth's surface
• Geothermal Energy Applications

  • Geothermal power plants use steam from hot underground water to drive turbines
• Geothermal Energy Advantages

  • Reliable
  • Low emissions
  • Small land footprint
• Geothermal Energy Disadvantages

  • Limited to regions with significant geothermal activity
  • High initial costs
• Biomass Energy

  Energy from organic materials (e.g., wood, agricultural residues, animal waste)
• Biomass Energy Applications

  • Biomass can be burned for heat or converted into biofuels (e.g., ethanol, biodiesel)
• Biomass Energy Advantages

  • Reduces waste
  • Can be renewable if managed sustainably
  • Reduces reliance on fossil fuels
• Biomass Energy Disadvantages

  • Requires land
  • Can produce pollutants
  • May compete with food production
• Non-Renewable Energy Resources


  Cannot be replenished within a human timescale; finite and deplete over time
• Types of Non-Renewable Energy

  • Fossil Fuels
  • Nuclear Energy
• Fossil Fuels

  Energy from ancient organic matter that has transformed into coal, oil, and natural gas
• Fossil Fuels Applications

  • Used for electricity generation
  • Heating
  • Fuel for vehicles
• Fossil Fuels Advantages

  • High energy density
  • Well-established infrastructure
• Fossil Fuels Disadvantages

  • Emits greenhouse gases
  • Contributes to climate change
  • Finite resources
  • Pollution
• Types of Fossil Fuels

  • Coal
  • Oil
  • Natural Gas
• Nuclear Energy

  Energy from nuclear reactions, usually nuclear fission
• Nuclear Energy Applications

  • Nuclear reactors use fission reactions to generate electricity
• Nuclear Energy Advantages

  • Low greenhouse gas emissions
  • High energy density
• Nuclear Energy Disadvantages

  • Risk of nuclear accidents
  • Radioactive waste disposal issues
  • High initial costs
• Comparing Energy Resources

  • Environmental Impact
  • Availability
  • Reliability
  • Cost
• Environmental Impact of Renewable Energy

  • Generally lower environmental impact compared to non-renewable sources
  • Some renewable sources can have local environmental impacts
• Environmental Impact of Non-Renewable Energy

  • Higher environmental impact due to emissions and pollution
  • Fossil fuels contribute to climate change and air pollution
• Availability of Renewable Energy

  • Virtually inexhaustible in human timescales if managed sustainably
• Availability of Non-Renewable Energy

  • Finite and depleting
  • Some resources are becoming harder to extract
• Reliability of Renewable Energy

  • Some sources are intermittent
  • Storage solutions and grid management are required