Lesson 7

Energy Resources
Types of energy resources
oil and gas

wind biogas

tidal nuclear

Energy

coal solar

hydro-
electric geothermal
power
 Main energy resources in Britain
• Figure 1 shows the
distribution of
renewable energy
use in 2018. Total
renewable energy
use for 2018 was
approximately 22.2
million tonnes of
oil equivalent.
• Figure 2 shows the
share of electricity
generation from
renewable fuel
sources. Whilst
biofuel is the most
widely used fuel
source (see fig. 1),
it is more
commonly used for
heat generation so
other fuel sources
provide larger
contributions to
the output of
electricity. 
Figure 3 shows the long term trends in
electricity generation from 2000.
Traditional and alternative energy resources

• Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas have been exploited in Britain for many
years. They are classified as non-renewable resources. Once used, they
cannot be replaced.

• Renewable resources of energy are newer and can be used over again. They
include the use of water, wind and the sun as well as geothermal energy
and biogas.

• They represent an alternative to traditional fuels, as they are cleaner and

abundant.

• They are often suitable (used in such manner that they do not destroy the
environment) and they are likely to play an increasingly more important
role in the future.
 Nuclear energy
• Despite the high costs of building nuclear stations, the resultant power is quite
cheap and plentiful.
• Only very limited raw materials are needed e.g. 50 tons of Uranium per year are
needed compared to 540 tones of coal per hour needed in coal-fired stations.
• Nuclear waste is limited in amount and can be stored underground but it
remains radioactive for many years.
• There are health risks when accidents occur e.g. the high incidence of leukemia.

• Questions:
1. Is nuclear energy necessary?
2. How safe is it?
That’s the end of lesson 7 ^_^