Exceptions: solar PV converts light directly to electricity (no turbine).
HEATING:
Gas central heating, geothermal hot springs, solar thermal panels.
TRANSPORT:
Petrol/diesel (from crude oil) currently dominant.
Electric vehicles (charged from grid), hydrogen fuel cells, bio-fuels.
WHY FOSSIL FUELS STILL DOMINATE:
Reliable on demand — not weather-dependent.
High energy density — large amount of energy per kg.
Existing infrastructure in place.
But: finite supply and significant environmental impact are driving a transition.
Environmental Impact of Energy Resources
FOSSIL FUELS:
CO₂ released → greenhouse effect → climate change. Major concern.
SO₂ (from coal/oil) → acid rain.
Nitrogen oxides → smog, air pollution.
Oil spills → marine ecosystem damage.
NUCLEAR:
No CO₂ during operation — low carbon.
RADIOACTIVE WASTE: hazardous, must be stored safely for thousands of years.
Risk of major accidents (rare but severe: Chernobyl, Fukushima).
WIND: No CO₂. Noise, visual impact, risk to birds. Intermittent.
SOLAR: No CO₂. Panel manufacture uses energy and materials. Intermittent.
HYDROELECTRIC: No CO₂. Reliable. Dam flooding destroys habitats.
GEOTHERMAL: Low CO₂. Limited to active volcanic regions.
BIO-FUEL: Roughly carbon neutral (CO₂ released = CO₂ absorbed while growing). Land use competes with food production.
TIDES/WAVES: No CO₂. Disrupts marine ecosystems. Expensive to build.
KEY TRADE-OFFS:
Renewables: lower environmental impact but INTERMITTENT (wind/solar) — need storage or backup.
Fossil fuels: RELIABLE and on-demand but CO₂ and pollution.
The energy mix must balance reliability, cost and environmental impact.
⚠️ Common Mistake
Bio-fuels ARE renewable — the plants regrow. Nuclear is NOT renewable — uranium is finite. Hydroelectric, wind, tidal and wave are all renewable. Also: 'renewable' does NOT mean 'zero environmental impact' — every resource has some impact.
📌 Key Note
Non-renewable: fossil fuels + nuclear. Renewable: wind, solar, hydro, bio-fuel, geothermal, tidal, wave. Most generation: turbine + generator (except solar PV). Fossil fuels: reliable, high energy density, but CO₂ + pollution. Renewables: lower impact but often intermittent. Nuclear: no CO₂ but radioactive waste.
🎯 Matching Activity — Energy Resource — Type and Impact
Match each resource to its type and main concern. — drag the symbols on the right to match the component names on the left.
Non-renewable
Drop here
Non-renewable
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Renewable
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Renewable
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Renewable
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Coal — CO₂ and SO₂ when burned; finite supply
Nuclear — radioactive waste; uranium is finite
Hydroelectric — no CO₂; reliable; dam flooding destroys habitats
Wind — no CO₂ during operation; intermittent; noise and visual impact
Bio-fuel — roughly carbon neutral; land use competes with food crops
🎯 Test Yourself
Question 1 of 2
1. Which of the following energy resources is renewable?
2. Why are solar and wind described as 'intermittent' energy sources?
⭐ How Well Do You Understand This Topic?
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