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Energy: sources and the energy mix
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We need energy for homes, transport and industry. Every energy source has advantages and disadvantages.
Renewable and non-renewable
Non-renewable: coal, oil, natural gas (fossil fuels) and nuclear (uranium).
Renewable: wind, solar, hydro-electric power (HEP), tidal, wave, geothermal and biomass.
Renewable: wind, solar, hydro-electric power (HEP), tidal, wave, geothermal and biomass.
Comparing two sources
Natural gas (non-renewable): reliable and can be switched on quickly, but it releases carbon dioxide and will run out; many countries import it.
Wind (renewable): no emissions when generating and will not run out, but output depends on the weather, and some people object to how turbines look and sound. Offshore wind farms avoid some objections but cost more.
Wind (renewable): no emissions when generating and will not run out, but output depends on the weather, and some people object to how turbines look and sound. Offshore wind farms avoid some objections but cost more.
The energy mix
The energy mix is the combination of sources a country uses.
UK: coal power has been phased out (the last coal power station closed in 2024); electricity now comes mostly from gas, wind, nuclear, biomass and solar.
Globally: most energy still comes from fossil fuels. The mix depends on population, wealth and available resources: for example, Norway uses its mountains and rain for HEP.
UK: coal power has been phased out (the last coal power station closed in 2024); electricity now comes mostly from gas, wind, nuclear, biomass and solar.
Globally: most energy still comes from fossil fuels. The mix depends on population, wealth and available resources: for example, Norway uses its mountains and rain for HEP.
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of wind power.
- Advantage: it is renewable and produces no carbon dioxide when generating.
- Disadvantage: it is intermittent, because it only generates when the wind blows.
Answer: Clean and renewable, but intermittent.
Non-renewable: coal, oil, gas, nuclear. Renewable: wind, solar, HEP, tidal, geothermal, biomass. Each has pros and cons. The energy mix depends on population, wealth and resources. The UK has phased out coal power and relies on gas, wind, nuclear and other renewables.
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