Why do we need energy resources?

Why do we need energy resources?

Science and TechnologyThe energy debate:

What is the future of energy resources?

Learning objectives:• To know which energy resource we use today to

generate electricity• To understand current debates on energy supply

Do fossil fuels have a future?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels?

On your whiteboards write two advantagesand two disadvantages

What is the cost of generating electricity?

What does this show?

Energy source Cost (pence per kilowatt hour)

Gas 2.5p

Coal 3.2p

Nuclear 4.2p

Onshore wind 4.2p

Offshore wind 5.1p

Wave and tidal 14p

Solar 45p

What is the current situation?

What does this show us when we compare energy sources today and in the future?

Answers......Country Tonnes of CO₂ per

person% of World population

World emitter of CO₂ (rank order)

Chad 0 (6) No data available No data available

China 3.2 (3)

India 1.2 (4)

Tanzania 0.1 (5) No data available No data available

UK 9.4 (2)

USA 19.8 (1)

Why does the USA produce so much CO₂? And Chad so little?

Energy use in different countries

Country Tonnes of CO₂ per person

% of World population

World emitter of CO₂ (rank order)

Chad 0 No data available No data available

China 3.2 19.5%

India 1.2 17.3%

Tanzania 0.1 No data available No data available

UK 9.4 0.9%

USA 19.8 4.5%

Energy use in different countriesCountry Tonnes of CO₂ per

person% of World population

World emitter of CO₂ (rank order)

Chad 0 No data available No data available

China 3.2 19.5% 2nd

India 1.2 17.3% 4th

Tanzania 0.1 No data available No data available

UK 9.4 0.9% 7th

USA 19.8 4.5% 1st

Why has UK slipped to 7th place and China moved up to 2nd place?

Nuclear power

How does it work?

Advantages of nuclear power• Almost zero emission (doesn't emit green house gases). It

produces electricity without pollution.

• Does not consume fossil fuels which are getting scarcer and more expensive.

• They can be sited almost anywhere unlike oil which is mostly imported.

• The plants almost never experience problems.

• A small amount of matter creates a large amount of energy so there is little fear that we will run out of it.

• A lot of energy from a single power plant

Disadvantages of nuclear power

• More expensive to build the plant.

• Waste products dangerous and need to be carefully stored for long time as they are highly radioactive. This adds to the costs.

• Radioactive waste will remain radioactive for an unacceptable amount of time.

• Nuclear power plants can be very dangerous to its surroundings and employees.

• It would cost a lot of money to repair incase of spillages.

What happened at Chernobyl?

Chernobyl

Japan unveils plan to phase out nuclear power14 September 2012

The Japanese government has unveiled a plan to phase out nuclear power by 2030, in a major policy shift after last year's Fukushima disaster.

British nuclear power• The UK relies on atomic energy for

nearly 20% of its electricity. But all but one of its existing power stations are due to close by 2023.

• No reactors have been built since the 1980s, as accidents, spiralling decommissioning costs and the problem of nuclear waste eroded enthusiasm.

• But with soaring oil and gas prices, dwindling fossil fuel reserves and pressure to tackle climate change, the government has renewed its support for nuclear power.

• It is backing a new generation of atomic power stations because it believes they provide the necessary security of supply while helping reduce carbon emissions.

Plenary

Should Britain follow Japan in phasing out all nuclear power plants?

Write a justified opinion in your books.