Energy Sources Information Posters - Copy

Geothermal
Geothermal energy resource makes

use of the thermal energy stored
underground. Water is pumped down
underground through pipes close to
the hot rocks. The rocks transfer heat
energy to the water, creating steam.
The steam then rises in the pipes and
is used to drive a turbine in a power
station, producing electricity.
Advantages Disadvantages
renewable resource cost of drilling
no pollution limited availability of suitable

locations
no fuel costs
minimal running costs

Wind
Wind turbines are positioned in exposed
sites such as coasts and moorlands.
As the wind turns the blades of the
turbine, a generator inside produces
electricity.
renewable resource will only produce electricity when there

is wind (unpredictable)
no pollution
spoils the view
no fuel costs
noisy
expensive to set up
Solar
Solar cells produce electricity using
the sunlight to generate an electrical
current. Small solar cells are often
found in devices such as watches or
calculators. They can be attached to
buildings and used in more remote
places where it is difficult to connect
to the National Grid.
renewable resource only produce electricity during

daytime
no pollution
too expensive for large-scale use
no fuel costs
expensive to set up
can be used in remote locations

Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectric power is produced by
controlling the flow of water through
a turbine to generate electricity.
Large dams are built to trap rainwater
and flood a valley. The water is then
allowed to pass through the turbines,
turning them to generate the electricity.
renewable resource environmental impact of dam

construction
no direct* pollution
environmental impact of flooding
no fuel costs
expensive to set up
cannot work in drought
Can respond to demand and
increase electricity produced. *flooding the valley kills plants which
rot and release CO₂
reliable
Biomass
Solid organic matter such as wood
chips or straw, and biofuels such as
ethanol or biogas produced from waste
or plants, can be used as the input fuel
to be burnt in thermal power stations.
As they are burnt, they release heat
energy to boil water and produce
steam. The steam turns the generator
and electricity is produced.
renewable resource environmental impact of deforestation
carbon neutral (The CO₂ environmental impact of monocultures

emitted to the atmosphere was
combustion of vegetation increases CO₂
absorbed by the plants initially.)
emissions
releases energy quickly
Can be used in vehicles as well as

power stations e.g. petrol and diesel.
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels include coal, oil and
natural gas. They have been formed
over millions of years and are extracted
from the earth with specialist tools
and equipment. They are used as a fuel
and burnt in thermal power stations.
As they are burnt, they release heat
energy to boil water and produce
steam. The steam turns the generator
and electricity is produced.
releases energy quickly non-renewable resource – will run

out
Can be used in vehicles as well as
power stations e.g. petrol Combustion of fossil fuels increases
and diesel. CO₂ emissions.
Can respond to demand and Extraction of fuels damages landscape

increase electricity produced. and habitats.
reliable
Nuclear Fuel
Nuclear fuels use nuclear fission
(splitting) of uranium and plutonium
sources. They are used as a fuel in
thermal power stations. As they react,
they release heat energy to boil water
and produce steam. The steam turns the
generator and electricity is produced.
releases energy quickly non-renewable resource – will run out
Can respond to demand and long and expensive set-up/

increase electricity produced decommissioning of power station
nuclear reactions release a lot requires extra safety precautions due

of energy to irradiation and contamination risks.
nuclear fuel is relatively cheap produces radioactive waste which is

difficult to dispose of
does not produce any CO₂
emissions high level of risk to people living
nearby from nuclear radiation if there
is an equipment failure
Tidal
Large dams called tidal barrages are
built across estuaries. The barrages
have turbines inside them and as the
tide flows in and out, the barrages
allow the water to pass through the
turbines, turning them. As the turbines
turn, they generate electricity.
renewable resource expensive set-up
can control the flow of water spoils the view and landscape
through the turbines
alters habitats and affects wildlife
reliable – tides are predictable
prevents access by boat along the river
can store energy to meet demand
peaks
generates a lot of energy
no pollution

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Geothermal

Geothermal energy resource makes

renewable resource cost of drilling

no pollution limited availability of suitable

minimal running costs

renewable resource will only produce electricity when there

renewable resource only produce electricity during

can be used in remote locations

renewable resource environmental impact of dam

renewable resource environmental impact of deforestation

carbon neutral (The CO₂ environmental impact of monocultures

Can be used in vehicles as well as

releases energy quickly non-renewable resource – will run

Can respond to demand and Extraction of fuels damages landscape

releases energy quickly non-renewable resource – will run out

Can respond to demand and long and expensive set-up/

nuclear reactions release a lot requires extra safety precautions due

nuclear fuel is relatively cheap produces radioactive waste which is

renewable resource expensive set-up

minimal running costs

generates a lot of energy

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