Energy SourcesThere are two forms of energy sources:

1. Non-renewable energy sources.2. Renewable energy sources.

Non-renewable energy sources are energy sources that cannot be replaced and will eventually run out.Renewable energy sources are natural energy sources which do not get used up.

Total Primary Energy Supply (World)

Non-renewable EnergyNon-renewable energy is the more traditional

source of energy and is most commonly known as fossil fuels.

Examples of non-renewable energy are:Coal.Oil.Natural Gas.

Non-renewable sources of energy are much cheaper than renewable sources but are harmful to the environment.

Nuclear EnergyNuclear energy is energy in the nucleus (core) of

an atom. Nuclear energy can be used to make electricity.

But first the energy must be released. It can be released from atoms in two ways: nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.

Nuclear energy plants are very expensive to build.It does not emit carbon dioxide into the

atmosphere but can be very dangerous due to radioactivity.

Renewable EnergyRenewable energy is a source of energy that

does not get used up.There are many different forms of renewable energy:

Wind energy.Solar energy.Bioenergy.Ocean energy.Hydroelectricity (Inniscarra Dam).

Wind EnergyThe energy that travels in the wind can be

captured and converted to provide electricity.Wind turbines are used to create electricity

from the energy in the wind.

Wind turbines are located onshore and offshore.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is reasonably predictable, and is not associated with any environmental risk.

There are two main ways that solar energy is used in our buildings :

1. Solar Heat 2. Solar ElectricitySolar light (light from the sun) can be

exploited in building design to even further minimise the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours.

Ocean EnergyOcean energy uses the power from the sea to

create electricity.It uses energy from waves or from tidal

currents.Ireland has one of the greatest ocean energy

resources in the world.

Ocean Energy ResourceEuropean Wave Energy Atlas, Average

Theoretical Wave Power (kW)

BioenergyBioenergy is energy which comes from

biomass (Plants and other organic material).Biomass can be burned to provide heat or

converted to steam to drive engines.

Certain plants can be converted to fuel (biofuel) and special cars can run on this biofuel.

HydroelectricityA dam is built to trap water, usually in a valley

where there is an existing lake. Water is allowed to flow through tunnels in the

dam, to turn turbines and thus drive generators.

Hydro-electric power stations can produce a great deal of power very cheaply.

HomeworkPick one form of non-renewable energy and

one form of renewable energy.Write about how each form of energy works.Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of

each.Give your opinion as to which is better and

should be used more.

For information look up www.tinyurl.com/energyproject.