National and Global Energy Resources

Question 1

What is a renewable energy resource?

Answer 1

An energy source which can be
replenished as it is being used up

Question 1

Give four examples of renewable energy resources.

Answer 1

1. Wind Energy
2. Hydro-Electricity
3. Tidal Energy
4. Solar Energy

Question 2

Give an example of a non-renewable energy
resource.

Answer 2

Fossil fuels (for example coal, oil and
gas).

Question 3

What are the advantages of generating power using
gas rather than coal?

Answer 3

Flexible Generation: Gas power
stations have short start-up times so
can be switched on/off more readily
● Lower emissions of carbon dioxide

Question 4

State two disadvantages of using renewable energy
resources to generate power.

Answer 4

● Output often determined by external factors
(like wind speed), so supply is uncertain
● Generating power through other means is
often more efficient and economically
beneficia

Question 5

Explain the environmental impacts of burning fossil
fuels.

Answer 5

● Carbon Dioxide contributes to the
greenhouse effect, and causes global
warming
● Sulphur Dioxide leads to acid rain, which
can damage buildings and crops

Question 6

State three advantages of fossil fuels as an energy
resource.

Answer 6

1. Reliable: Not dependent on external factors
   so can generate power anytime
2. Can produce large amounts of energy for a
   given quantity
3. Still relatively abundant, so cost-effective

Question 7

State three advantages of nuclear power.

Answer 7

1. Very large amounts of energy for relatively
   small quantities of fuel
2. Doesn’t release greenhouse gases and so
   doesn’t contribute to climate change
3. Low fuel costs

Question 8

State three disadvantages of nuclear power

Answer 8

1. Produces nuclear waste which is harmful to
   humans & must be safely stored for centuries.
2. Non-Renewable energy source
3. Risk of nuclear accidents, which have fatal
   consequences on humans and the
   environment

Question 9

How does hydroelectric power produce energy?

Answer 9

● Rainwater collects behind a dam
● When this water is released, it is used
to turn a turbine
● This turbine turns a generator which
produces electricity

Question 10

What are some disadvantages of using biofuels?

Answer 10

● When plants are burned or decay they release CO2
● In order to grow biofuels, you need to destroy land
which leads to problems because:
○ The land could have been natural habitats
○ Destroying land may involve burning plants growing
on it, which would release CO2
● Growing biofuels reduces the land available for growing

Question 11

What are the advantages of tidal energy sources?

Answer 11

● They do not produce greenhouse gases
● They are quite reliable, as tides happen
twice a day
● They are cheap to run as tides are
natural, and so are free

Question 12

What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power?

Answer 12

● The dam may cause flooding
● It can cost a lot to install the required
infrastructure

Question 13

What are some advantages of solar panels?

Answer 13

● They don’t cause harm to the
environment
● They are a renewable resource
● They can be used in remote areas where
other types of energy are less accessible