Comparing energy resources
Advantages and disadvantages of energy resources
- All energy resources have advantages and disadvantages associated with them
- A renewable energy resource is one that is replenished at a faster rate than the rate at which it is being used
- As a result of this, renewable energy resources will not run out
- A reliable energy resource is one that can produce energy at any time
- Non-reliable resources can only produce energy some of the time (e.g. when it’s windy)
- The table below shows a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of the different energy resources:
Table comparing advantages and disadvantages of energy resources
| Energy resource | Renewable? | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Fossil fuels | No | Reliable. Can produce large amounts of energy consistently. Can respond to changes in demand. | Produces carbon dioxide (CO2) which contribute to global warming, and sulphur dioxide, which causes acid rain |
| Nuclear | No | Reliable. Produces large amounts of energy consistently. Produces no pollution or CO2. Large amounts of energy are produced from small amounts of fuel. | Produces radioactive waste that takes thousands of years to decay and must be safely disposed of. Nuclear power stations are expensive to build and maintain, and take many years to build. Can not be turned on and off quickly so cannot respond to changes in demand. |
| Bio fuels | Yes | The CO2 released from combustion is balanced by the CO2 absorbed in photosynthesis, so could be considered carbon neutral | Land and resources used to grow crops are needed to grow food crops |
| Wind | Yes | Produces no pollution or CO2. Are cheap to build and maintain | Non-reliable. Only generate electricity when the wind is blowing in a certain direction. Some people consider them visual pollution (they spoil the view) |
| Hydroelectric | Yes | Reliable. Can respond to meet changes in demand. No pollution or CO2 produced (unless a pump is used to return the water as this uses fossil fuels). | Can involve flooding large areas to build reservoirs which destroys habitats and displaces wildlife |
| Tidal | Yes | Tides are very predictable, so energy can be produced at regular intervals | Few suitable locations (estuaries). Can harm aquatic life and disrupt shipping |
| Geothermal | Yes | Reliable | Not many suitable locations. Can release methane (a greenhouse gas) in the extraction process. |
| Solar | Yes | Produces no pollution or greenhouse gases. Good for electricity production in remote areas. | Non-reliable. Only generates electricity when the Sun is shining. Each solar cell only produces a small amount of electricity so many cells are needed. |
Examiner Tip
Make sure you're familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of large scale electricity production from renewable and non-renewable energy sources, as this is a common exam question!
