RENEWABLE AND NON RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Question 1

Non renewable sources

Answer 1

• coal
• oil
• natural gas
• fuelwood
• nuclear energy

Question 2

Pros and cons of coal

Answer 2

Pros

• High world reserves
• Newer mines are highly mechanised

Cons

• Pollution
• CO2, major greenhouse has
• SO2, acid rain
• Mining is difficult and dangerous
• Heavy and bulky to transport

Question 3

Pros and cons oil

Answer 3

Pros

• variety of uses
• Easy to transport
• Efficient and less pollution than coal

Cons

• low reserves
• air pollution
• danger of spills

Question 4

Pros and cons natural gas

Answer 4

Pros

• Efficient
• Clean
• Easy to transport

Cons

• Explosions
• Air pollution a little bit

Question 5

Pros and cons fuelwood

Answer 5

Pros

• Available
• Free
• Replanting is possible

Cons

• Deforestation, trees used quickly
• Time consuming

Question 6

Nuclear energy pros and cons

Answer 6

Pros

• Clean
• No greenhouse gases
• Efficient
• High energy density

Cons

• Radiation
• Construction and decommissioning costs
• Disposal problem
• Nuclear accidents

Question 7

Renewable sources of energy

Answer 7

• Hydro
• Geothermal
• Wind
• Tidal
• Solar
• Biofuels and waste

Question 8

Hydro pros and cons

Answer 8

• Clean
• Can help control flooding (reservoirs and dams)
• Provide water when shortage
• Large land areas are flooded
• Silt trapped behind dam
• Visual pollution

Question 9

Geothermal pros and cons

Answer 9

• More environmentally friendly
• Not many potential sites (only near volcanic region)
• Sulphuric gases
• Expensive
• Maintenance problem due to high temp

Question 10

Wind pros and cons

Answer 10

• Very clean
• No air pollution
• Cheap
• Visual and noise pollution
• Unpredictable winds
• Needs lots of turbines for enough energy

Question 11

Tidal pros and cons

Answer 11

• Clean
• Can produce lots of electricity (large schemes)
• Expensive
• Few suitable sites
• Disrupts coastal ecosystems and shipping

Question 12

Solar pros and cons

Answer 12

• Could be used in many parts
• Unlimited supply
• Clean
• Expensive
• Need sunlight

Question 13

Biofuel pros and cons

Answer 13

• Widely available
• uses waste products
• Waste cant be recycled
• Expensive to set up
  = People may focus farming on sugarcane/maize