Download Energy Resources - EricBender

Energy Resources
Non-Renewable Energy
• Coal
• Natural Gas
• Oil
• Nuclear
Renewable Energy Sources
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Solar
Wind
Geothermal
Hydroelectric
Tidal
Biomass
Fossil Fuels
Pros
• cheap
• plentiful
• technology exists
• oil can be transported over long
distances by pipeline
Cons
• contributes to climate change (builds up
carbon dioxide in atmosphere)
• unsustainable (depletion of stock over
time)
• will become difficult to extract (
becomes dangerous as they go further
into the sea or deeper into the ground)
• oil spillages and pipelines burst damage
ecosystems ( expensive to clear up)
• mines clear up habitat from surface
• coal not easily transported over long
distance
Nuclear Energy
Pros
• does not emit carbon dioxide
• technology is available
• vast amounts of electrical
energy produced by a single
power plant
• very efficient ( 1kg uranium
contains 20000 times more
energy than 1kg of coal
Cons
• nuclear waste is VERY dangerous, remains
for thousands of years with no solution
found yet
• the more power plants, the higher risks of
having a disastrous failure somewhere in
the world
• uranium is the energy source which is
scarce and a non-renewable source with a
estimated time of 30-60years left before
depletion (depending on demand)
• time to plan/build a nuclear plant is 20-30
years
Hydroelectric Power
Pros
• blocked lake can be used for
leisure, irrigation and electricity
generation
• once built they are cheap to run
Cons
• vast areas may be flooded,
which causes loss of homes,
farmlands and displacement of
people
• expensive
• erosion rates increase
• might silt up area and
become unusable
Tidal Power
Pros
• Will not run out
• No pollution
Cons
• expensive
• might be harmful to wildlife
• needs good tidal range
Solar Energy
Pros
• solar energy with insulation is
cheaper than fossil fuel energy
when heating homes
Cons
• expensive
• useless in winter in northern
countries
• Only works when the sun is out
Wind Power
Pros
• Small ecological footprint
• No pollutants
Cons
• no wind = no energy
• placement is critical,
needs constant wind
• Can kill wildlife
Biofuel
Pros
Cons
• produces emissions
• requires large areas of land to
plant biofuel crop
• pushes up food prices
• locals do not get enough food
• may destroy surrounding
ecosystems to grow on
Energy from Waste
Pros
• available
• does not deplete natural gas
• useful way of getting rid of
waste
Cons
• global warming gases released
into atmosphere
Geothermal Energy
Pros
• No pollution
Cons
• Needs to be buried deep under
the ground our under water
• Expensive
MEDCs have higher energy demands than LEDCs, as they
depend on energy for many things such as transport, heating,
air-conditioning, cooking and all other aspects of their lives.
The choice of what energy source should be used is different
from country to country. Some have large oil, coal and
gas reserves and that makes fossil fuels an obvious choice for
an energy source. However generation of energy also depends
on its availability, economy, cultural, environmental and
technological factors. When an energy resource is available
and close, it is more easier and efficient to use.
• Culture fears based on the fear of nuclear accidents and
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waste, have made it quite unpopular to choose.
Cultural and tradition means that non-renewable resources
are favored, and the places with renewable energy
resources are limited.
Renewable energy sources are not being used much globally
which means that it is still not ready to meet current
demands.
Renewable sources can be used more if the production
prices of the non-renewable sources are increased. This may
better the environment as higher costs of the fossil furls
means that peoples view will change.
Peoples interest in renewable resources has led to an
increased demand for renewable and non-pollution sources.
This leads to greater investments and research into more
alternatives or improvements.