BBC - GCSE Bitesize - Energy-Renewable and Non-Renewable

BBC - GCSE Bitesize - Energy
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/energy_resource...
Over the last 200 years an ever-increasing proportion of

our energy has come from non-renewable sources such as
oil and coal. While demand for energy rises these
resources are running out and scientists are exploring the
potential of renewable sources of energy for the future.
All life on earth is sustained by energy from the sun. Plants and
animals can store energy and some of this energy remains with
them when they die. It is the remains of these ancient animals
and plants that make up fossil fuels [fossil fuel: Fuels such as
coal, gas and oil which are mined from the earth and burned to
produce energy. They are formed from broken down animals
and plants that died a very long time ago. ].
Fossil fuels are non-renewable [non-renewable: A resource
that cannot be replaced when it is used up, such as oil, natural
gas or coal. ] because they will run out one day. Burning fossil
fuels generates greenhouse gases [greenhouse gas:
Naturally occurring gases in the atmosphere such carbon
dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. They are believed to have
increased through burning more oil, petrol, and coal. ] and
relying on them for energy generation is unsustainable
[unsustainable: Resources which cannot be used forever and
cannot be replaced or recycled after they are used. The use of
fossil fuels is unsustainable for example. ]. Hence the need to
find more renewable, sustainable ways of generating energy.
Renewable or infinite energy resources are sources of power
that quickly replenish themselves and can be used again and
again.
Some resources can be thought of as both renewable and
non-renewable.
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Coal
(fossil
fuel)
Oil
(fossil
fuel)
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Natural
gas
(fossil
fuel)
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Nuclear
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Estimates from international organisations suggest that if the

world's demand for energy from fossil fuels continues at the
present rate that oil and gas reserves may run out within some
of our lifetimes. Coal is expected to last longer.
Oil
50 years
Natural gas 70 years

Coal
250 years
Renewable energy sources quickly replenish themselves and

can be used again and again. For this reason they are
sometimes called infinite energy resources.
Solar
Wind
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Tidal
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Wave
Geothermal
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Hydrological
or
Hydroelectric
Power (HEP)
Biomass
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Wood
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Make sure you know what types of energy are renewable

[renewable: A resource which is generated from sources
which are not finite or exhaustible. For example, wave power,
wind power, solar power or geothermal energy are renewable
energy sources. ] and non-renewable [non-renewable: A
resource that cannot be replaced when it is used up, such as
oil, natural gas or coal. ]. It is important to remember that
biomass and wood are only renewable if the trees and crops
are replanted. Many people fall into the trap of thinking that bio
means renewable - it doesn't!
The UK government wants to reduce its carbon dioxide

emissions. It also wants to increase the amount of energy
which comes from renewable sources.
By 2020 European Union targets state that 20% of energy
must come from renewable sources. Each member state of the
EU may have a different target, as 20% is an average figure for
the EU.
The UK has a target of 15% of its energy consumption being
sourced from renewable energy. (In 2009 only 3% of energy
came from renewable sources in the UK). Sweden has a target
of nearly 50% whereas Malta has a target of 10%.
The EU also aims to reduce greenhouse gas [greenhouse
gas: Naturally occurring gases in the atmosphere such carbon
dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. They are believed to have
increased through burning more oil, petrol, and coal. ]
emissions by 80-95% below 1990 levels by 2050.
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There are two ways the energy use can change in the UK:
The demand for energy in the UK varies. This is because of:
Regulations have forced vehicles to become more energyefficient and give off less atmospheric pollution. The
government has also continued to increase fuel and road
taxes. Even so, the use of transport is rising so fast that the
amount of CO given off by transport vehicles continues to rise.
2
There are also incentives to save energy for example grants

are available to help make a home more energy efficient. Find
out more about energy efficient homes in the Waste and
pollution revision bite.
UK power companies are now investing hundreds of millions of

pounds in renewable power. The greatest amount of renewable
energy in the UK comes from wind generation. In 2010 the
worlds largest offshore wind farm was opened in Thanet, on
the Thames estuary.
Many wind farms have been set up,
particularly in Scotland and Wales.
However some plans for large wind
farms have been blocked by
planners.
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Wind Turbines on Ovenden
Production of energy from biomass Moor, West Yorkshire

is expanding. In 2011 a new
biomass energy centre was opened in Chilton, Durham. The
supply of energy for biomass is more predictable than other
forms of renewable energy. However people are concerned
about how sustainable the sourcing of biomass is.
Energy from wave and tidal power could be developed more.

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BBC - GCSE Bitesize - Energy

Over the last 200 years an ever-increasing proportion of