Resource Provision » Energy Source Advantages and Disadvantages

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

Different types of energy resources (renewable and non-renewable)
Advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)
Benefits and limitations of renewable energy sources
Nuclear energy's pros and cons
Case studies of energy resource development
Energy security and sustainability considerations

Introduction to Energy Resources

Energy resources are essential for powering our modern world - from heating our homes and cooking our food to running factories and charging our devices. How we choose to generate energy has significant economic, social and environmental impacts both locally and globally.

Key Definitions:

Energy resource: A natural source that can be used to generate power for human activities.
Renewable energy: Energy from sources that naturally replenish and won't run out.
Non-renewable energy: Energy from finite sources that will eventually be depleted.
Energy security: Having reliable access to affordable energy supplies.

🌐 Non-Renewable Energy

Energy sources that exist in limited amounts and take millions of years to form. Once used, they cannot be replaced within a human lifespan. Examples include fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and nuclear fuels.

🌞 Renewable Energy

Energy sources that are naturally replenished and won't run out. Examples include solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, tidal and biomass energy. These are often considered more sustainable long-term options.

Fossil Fuels: Advantages and Disadvantages

Fossil fuels have powered the industrial revolution and modern society, but come with significant environmental costs. Let's examine each type:

🔩 Coal

Advantages

Abundant and widely available in many countries
Relatively inexpensive to extract and process
High energy output per unit
Easy to transport and store
Creates mining jobs and economic development

Disadvantages

Highest carbon emissions of all fossil fuels
Releases sulphur dioxide causing acid rain
Mining causes landscape scarring and habitat destruction
Health risks for miners (black lung disease)
Non-renewable and will eventually run out

🛢 Oil

Advantages

High energy density and versatility
Easy to transport through pipelines or ships
Can be refined into many products (petrol, diesel, plastics)
Well-established global infrastructure
Creates jobs in extraction, refining and distribution

Disadvantages

Significant greenhouse gas emissions
Oil spills can devastate marine ecosystems
Price volatility affects economic stability
Uneven global distribution creates geopolitical tensions
Limited supply that will eventually be depleted

🔥 Natural Gas

Advantages

Cleanest burning fossil fuel with lower CO₂ emissions
Efficient for heating and electricity generation
Established pipeline infrastructure in many countries
Versatile for domestic and industrial uses
Less air pollution than coal or oil

Disadvantages

Still produces greenhouse gases
Methane leaks during extraction are powerful greenhouse gases
Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) can cause water contamination
Limited supply that will eventually run out
Requires expensive infrastructure for LNG transport

Case Study: North Sea Oil and Gas

The UK's North Sea oil and gas fields have been crucial to the country's energy security since the 1970s. At peak production in 1999, the UK was self-sufficient in oil and gas. However, production has declined significantly since then. While providing thousands of jobs and billions in tax revenue, North Sea development has faced challenges including high extraction costs, ageing infrastructure and the need to decommission platforms as fields are depleted. The UK is now transitioning toward renewable energy while managing the decline of its North Sea resources.

Renewable Energy Sources: Advantages and Disadvantages

☀️ Solar Energy

Advantages

Abundant and inexhaustible energy source
Zero emissions during operation
Low maintenance costs once installed
Can be installed at various scales (home to utility)
No fuel costs

Disadvantages

High initial installation costs
Intermittent generation (no power at night)
Requires large land areas for utility-scale projects
Storage technology still developing
Less effective in cloudy climates

🌬️ Wind Energy

Advantages

No direct emissions during operation
Increasingly cost-competitive with fossil fuels
Can be built offshore or on land
Allows farming to continue around turbines
Creates manufacturing and maintenance jobs

Disadvantages

Intermittent generation dependent on wind conditions
Visual impact on landscapes
Noise pollution for nearby residents
Potential impact on bird and bat populations
Requires backup power sources

💦 Hydroelectric Power

Advantages

Reliable and controllable energy generation
Very low operating costs once built
Long lifespan of facilities (50-100 years)
Reservoirs can provide recreation and flood control
No direct air pollution

Disadvantages

High initial construction costs
Flooding of land displaces people and wildlife
Disrupts river ecosystems and fish migration
Limited by suitable geography
Vulnerable to drought conditions

Case Study: Hornsea Wind Farm, UK

Located off the Yorkshire coast, Hornsea One is currently the world's largest offshore wind farm. Completed in 2020, it has 174 turbines covering 407 square kilometres and generates enough electricity to power over one million UK homes. The project created thousands of jobs during construction and continues to support maintenance roles. While requiring significant investment (around £4.2 billion), it demonstrates the UK's commitment to renewable energy. However, critics point to the intermittent nature of wind power and the need for backup generation when wind speeds are low.

Nuclear Energy: A Special Case

Nuclear energy occupies a unique position in the energy debate. It's technically non-renewable (using uranium fuel) but produces minimal greenhouse gases during operation.

Advantages

Very low carbon emissions during operation
Highly efficient energy production
Reliable baseload power generation
Small land footprint compared to output
Fuel (uranium) is relatively abundant

Disadvantages

Extremely high construction costs
Long-term radioactive waste storage problems
Risk of catastrophic accidents (Chernobyl, Fukushima)
High decommissioning costs
Public perception and safety concerns

Energy Security and Sustainability

Countries must balance multiple factors when making energy choices:

📈 Economic Factors

Cost of production, job creation, infrastructure requirements and impact on economic development all influence energy choices.

🌎 Environmental Factors

Climate change impacts, local pollution, habitat destruction and resource depletion must be considered for sustainability.

🏢 Social Factors

Energy access, affordability, health impacts and community acceptance are crucial social considerations.

Most countries are now developing mixed energy portfolios that balance these factors, with increasing emphasis on transitioning to renewable sources while maintaining energy security.

Key Concept: Energy Mix

An energy mix refers to the combination of different energy sources used by a country to meet its needs. A diverse energy mix helps improve energy security by reducing dependence on any single source. The UK's energy mix has changed dramatically over time - coal dominated until the 1970s, while today natural gas, nuclear and renewables play much larger roles. By 2035, the UK aims to have a completely decarbonised electricity system, relying primarily on renewables, nuclear and potentially hydrogen.

Summary: Making Energy Choices

There is no perfect energy source - each has advantages and disadvantages. Countries must make choices based on their specific circumstances, including:

Available natural resources
Economic development level
Climate commitments
Energy security needs
Technological capabilities

The global trend is moving toward greater use of renewable energy, but fossil fuels still dominate the global energy mix. The transition to a more sustainable energy system is one of the defining challenges of the 21st century.

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