What you'll learn
The main renewable energy resources and their pros and cons.
Renewable sources
- Solar, wind, hydroelectric (HEP), geothermal, biomass and tidal/wave energy.
- These will not run out and generally produce little or no CO₂ when operating.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages: sustainable, low emissions, reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- Disadvantages: some are intermittent (solar, wind), high set-up costs, and local environmental/visual impacts (e.g. HEP dams flooding land).
Choosing a source
- The best option depends on climate, geography and cost of the location.
Exam tips
- Match a renewable source to a suitable location and justify it.
- Give specific advantages and disadvantages for each source.
Common mistakes
- Assuming renewables have no environmental impact.
- Ignoring the issue of intermittency.