Energy supply and demand

Question 1

Define renewable energy

Answer 1

Energy that is naturally occurring and potentially infinite

Question 2

Define non-renewable energy

Answer 2

Energy that can not be reproduced in the time that it takes to consume it

Question 3

Define fossil fuels

Answer 3

Any combustible organic matter that is made from the remains of former flora and fauna.

Question 4

Reasons for energy change

Answer 4

• Greater concern for the environment
• Rising prices of fossil fuels
• The knowledge that fossil fuels are finite
• Aim to reduce reliance on fossil fuel exporting countries
• Improvements in renewable technology

Question 5

Type of non-renewable energy and its advan and disadvan

Answer 5

• Coal:
  + Advantages: cheap, fast and easy to manufacture
  + Disad: Produce lots of greenhouse gas => global warming
• Nuclear:
  + Advantages: small amount can generate high energy
  + Disad: Expensive to extract, can cause adverse effects to health
• Oil:
  + Advantages: can be separated into different oils and gases => many uses
  + Disad: Oil spill can happen when extracted => damage environment, releases large amounts of greenhouse gases when burnt
• Gas:
  + Advantages: Burning gas releases less greenhouses gases then coal and oil
  + Disad: some gases are flammable => dangerous

Question 6

Types of renewable energy and its advan and disadvan

Answer 6

• Tidal
  + Ad: clean and efficient
  + Disad: high start up costs, block important shipping routes
• Wave
  + Ad: clean and efficient
  + Disad: strength of waves can vary, damaged by stormy areas
• Biomass
  + Ad: cheap and is widely available
  + Disad: if animals’ wastes are used => no fertilisers
• Solar
  + Ad: clean form of energy, no pollution
  + Disad: expensive to make solar panels, an’t be used at night, supply doesn’t always = demand
• Wind:
  + Ad: clean and renewable
  + Disad: noise pollution, wind is unreliable
• HEP:
  + Ad: clean, built dam can also prevent flooding
  + Disad: reservoirs flood lands, expensive to construct
• Geothermal
  + Ad: can be created constantly and is not dependent on the weather
  + Disad: installation and start up costs are expensive ,drilling can release harmful gases.