Types of Energy Sources (Edexcel IGCSE Geography)
Non-Renewable Energy Sources
Spec point —
4GE1-S6.067
Non-Renewable Energy
-
Non-renewable energy sources are finite and will eventually run out
-
They include:
- gas
- oil
- coal
- nuclear
-
Fossil fuel energy sources are one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions
-
All non-renewable energy sources have advantages and disadvantages
Gas
| Advantages | - Efficient - The least polluting of fossil fuels - Easy to transport - pipes - Easy to produce energy from - Reliable |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | - Risk of explosions - Releases CO2 one of the main greenhouse gases - Air pollution - Price fluctuates |
Oil
| Advantages | - Efficient - Less polluting than coal - Quite easy to transport - pipes or barrels - Easy to produce energy from - Reliable |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | - Risk of oil spills - Exxon Valdez - Risk of fire/explosions - Piper Alpha oil platform - Low world reserves - Releases CO2 one of the main greenhouse gases - Air pollution - Price fluctuates |
Coal
| Advantages | - Large world reserves - Mechanisation and technology have made coal more accessible and cheaper - Cheap - Efficient - Easy to produce energy from - Reliable |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | - Releases CO2 one of the main greenhouse gases - Releases SO2 which leads to acid rain - Opencast mines destroy habitats - Heavy and bulky to transport - Mining accidents - Air pollution |
Nuclear
| Advantages | - No greenhouse gas emissions - Efficient - Small amounts of uranium needed |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | - Nuclear waste is radioactive and expensive to dispose of - Power stations are expensive - Risk of nuclear accidents - Chernobyl, Fukushima - Possible health impacts in the areas around nuclear power stations |
Renewable Energy Sources
Spec point —
4GE1-S6.067
Renewable Energy
-
Renewable energy sources are those which are infinite and will not run out. They include:
- Hydroelectric
- Wave/tidal
- Wind
- Solar
- Geothermal
- Biomass/waste
-
Once in place except for biomass/waste, they do not produce any greenhouse gas emissions
-
Greenhouse gases may be emitted in the production, construction and transport of the equipment
-
All renewable energy sources have advantages and disadvantages
Hydroelectric
| Advantages | - No greenhouse gas emissions - Controls flooding downstream - Often in sparsely populated areas - May provide water storage for irrigation and domestic use |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | - Large areas of land are flooded behind the dam - Dam traps sediment which can affect ecosystems downstream - Visual pollution - Can prevent fish movement upstream - People and settlements may have to be relocated - Expensive to build and maintain |
Wave/tidal
| Advantages | - No greenhouse gas emissions - No air pollution - Has the potential to produce large amounts of energy - Reliable |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | - Expensive to build and maintain - Can affect marine ecosystems - Few suitable sites |
Wind
| Advantages | - No greenhouse gas emissions - No air pollution - Can be small or large scale - Cheap to run - Can be on land or offshore |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | - Not reliable only works when the wind is strong enough but not too strong - Visual pollution - Noise pollution - Many turbines (233) are needed to produce the same energy as an average coal-fired power station - May affect bird migration patterns or kill birds who fly into the moving blades |
Solar
| Advantages | - No greenhouse gas emissions - No air pollution - Can be small or large scale - Can be used in most locations - Can be incorporated into building design |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | - Expensive - Not reliable only works when it is sunny - Large numbers needs to produce energy - Uses large areas of land |
Geothermal
| Advantages | - No CO2 gases - Lots of potential sites - Reliable - Can produce large amounts of energy |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | - Expensive - Emits sulphuric gases - High temperatures cause machinery to break |
Biomass/waste
| Advantages | - Uses waste or biofuels which regrow - Available in most locations |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages | - Air pollution - Produces greenhouse gases - Expensive |
Exam Hint Remember reducing fossil fuel use is not as easy as simply switching to renewable energies. Although the costs are coming down renewable energy is often still more expensive than using fossil fuels and they are generally not as efficient. This means you need far more to produce the same amount of electricity.
Was this revision note helpful?