ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF ENERGY RESOURCES

GEOTHERMAL• Advantages• Low cost• Inexhaustible• No environmental impact• Pumps can store heat for later use.

• Disadvantages:• Source is close to volcanic activity.• Some plants use lots of water – creating water pollution.• Supply could change.• Cannot be transported.• High start up cost.

BIOMASS• Advantages• Produces less harmful greenhouse gases.• Can be sustainable.• Can be used for different purposes.

• Disadvantages:• Takes a lot of space.• Not entirely clean.• Expensive• Not easily transported.

WIND• Advantages• It’s free• Does not produce pollutants

• Disadvantages:• Strength of the windmill varies.• Noisy/Unsightly• Large wind farms are needed to produce enough electricity.

NATURAL GAS• Advantages• Cleanest fossil fuel available.• Cheap.• Easy to transport

• Disadvantages:• Contributes to greenhouse gases.• Explosive• Nonrenewable

OIL• Advantages• A small amount can produce a lot of energy.• Easy to transport and produce.• Constant power source and it’s reliable.

• Disadvantages:• Creates greenhouse gases.• Pollution• Nonrenewable• Increase in violence.

HYDROPOWER• Advantages• Stable source• Clean

• Disadvantages:• Expensive to build dams• Droughts affect production• Environmental changes because of the dam.

NUCLEAR POWER• Advantages• Does not emit CO2 pollutants

• Continuously generates electricity.

• Disadvantages:• Expensive to start and maintain power plants.• Safety concerns.• Waste that remains toxic for many years.• Non-renewable

• Chernobyl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldYeFLZqh3Q