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Energy resources
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How should we generate electricity? Every energy resource has advantages and disadvantages.
Renewable and non-renewable
Renewable resources are replenished as they are used: solar, wind, hydroelectric, tidal, wave, geothermal and biofuel.
Non-renewable resources will run out: coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear fuel.
Non-renewable resources will run out: coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear fuel.
Comparing resources
Think about reliability, cost and the environment.
Trends
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, which contributes to climate change. Many countries are increasing their use of renewable resources.
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of wind turbines.
- Advantage: wind is renewable and they release no carbon dioxide while generating.
- Disadvantage: they do not generate when the wind is too weak, so they are unreliable.
Answer: Renewable, but unreliable.
Renewables are replenished but often unreliable. Fossil fuels are reliable but release carbon dioxide and will run out. Nuclear is reliable but produces radioactive waste.
The interactive lesson includes the diagrams for this topic.
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