Renewable energy resources

Generating electricity

Electricity is the main source of energy that we use in our homes. Electricity can be produced from different energy resources.

Energy resources are systems that can store a lot of energy. Energy resources can be classified into two types:

Renewable resources - energy resources that can be restored. They do not run out even if we use them.
Non-renewable resources - energy resources that cannot be restored. These resources will run out someday because we use them.

Different energy resources have different availability, advantages and disadvantages.

The image you sent is a pie chart showing different types of energy resources. It illustrates how energy can be obtained from various sources such as solar, biomass, fossil fuels, nuclear, wind, wave, and geothermal.

Renewable and non-renewable energy resources

Renewable energy resources

Renewable energy resources are resources that do not run out. They offer a different way of producing electricity than fossil fuels. They also have less negative impact on the environment than non-renewable energy resources.

Some renewable resources are:

Wind
Wave
Tidal
Geothermic
Hydroelectric
Biofuels
Solar

Wind

Wind is caused by the movement of air, and its kinetic energy serves as the renewable energy source.

How it works:

When the wind blows, it transfers some of its kinetic energy to the turbine blades.
This turns the wind turbine which generates the electricity.

Advantages and disadvantages of wind energy

Advantages

Wind is a sustainable source of energy.
Wind does not emit any pollutants.
Wind turbines do not require any fuel to operate.

Disadvantages

Wind turbines can be noisy and some people find them annoying to live close to them.
Some people believe that wind turbines ruin the scenery.

Wind is an inconsistent source of energy - the electricity production varies depending on the wind speed.

image of a landscape with several wind turbines. The turbines are spread out across a rolling field, and the sky above is cloudy. It looks like a peaceful and eco-friendly scene.

Wind farm

Solar

Solar energy is power from the Sun, which can be turned into electricity by using solar panels. We can use solar energy as long as there is sunlight.

Solar panels are composed of photovoltaic cells and they capture energy from the Sun. This is the only renewable energy source that does not use a turbine to produce electricity. The solar panels are placed to receive the maximum sunlight during the day.

Advantages and disadvantages of solar energy

Advantages

Solar power is a sustainable source of energy.
There are no fuel costs.
No pollutants are emitted.

Disadvantages

Solar power is an inconsistent source of energy. It relies on the weather and the amount of sunlight available.
Solar panels are costly to install.

Image of a large array of solar panels installed on a green field under a clear blue sky with some clouds. The solar panels are tilted at an angle to capture maximum sunlight.

Solar farm

Biomass

Biomass is a power source from organic matter, such as wood or food waste. It is a sustainable energy source.

The biomass is burnt and this can be used to heat water into steam. The steam spins turbines which power electric generators.

Biomass can be transformed into liquid fuels called biofuels such as biodiesel and ethanol. These can be used as alternatives to petrol in vehicles.

Advantages and disadvantages of biomass

Advantages

Biomass is a sustainable source of energy.
Growing more crops absorbs carbon dioxide. This can balance what is emitted during combustion. This is known as carbon neutral.

Disadvantages

Biomass fuel burning produces gases and smoke.
A large area of land is required for cultivating the fuel crop.

image of a serene and beautiful scene of a cornfield at sunset. Two ears of corn in the foreground are prominently displayed, with the lush green field stretching out behind them. The golden hue of the setting sun bathes the entire scene, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Biomass

Geothermal

Geothermal energy resources are a type of sustainable energy resources.

Heated water and steam from beneath the earth’s surface can be used to spin a turbine which drives a generator to produce electricity.

Advantages and disadvantages of using geothermal as energy

Advantages

Geothermal is a reliable source of energy.
There are no fuel costs.
No damaging emissions are generated.
The heated water and steam can also be used for warming buildings directly.

Disadvantages

Large investment is required to establish geothermal energy projects and some countries lack these.
Few regions of the world have convenient locations where geothermal energy resources can be readily utilised.

image of a geyser erupting, releasing a powerful stream of water and steam into the air. The scene is set in an open landscape with mountains faintly visible in the background.

Geothermal energy

Tidal energy

Large volumes of water flow in and out of river openings each day due to the tides.

A tidal barrage is a structure constructed over a river estuary. The barrage has power generators, which are powered by the water gushing through pipes in the barrage.

Advantages and disadvantages of using tidal energy

Advantages

No harmful gases are released.
There are no fuel costs.

Disadvantages

Waves are not a reliable source of power.
Building tidal barrages can harm habitats and displace people from their homes.

Tidal turbines

Summary:

Energy resources are used to generate electricity.
Energy resources are renewable or non-renewable.