Sources of Energy

Quick Revision

• A good source of energy should provide a large amount of energy per unit mass or volume and should be easy to store and transport.
• Renewable sources can be replenished naturally over a relatively short timescale.
• Fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas are non-renewable sources.
• Burning fossil fuels can cause air pollution and greenhouse-gas emissions.
• Hydroelectric power uses the energy of falling or flowing water.
• Solar energy can be converted into heat or electricity.
• Wind energy is used to drive turbines and generate electrical energy.
• Biogas is produced from biomass through anaerobic decomposition.
• Geothermal energy makes use of heat from inside the Earth.
• Nuclear energy is released through nuclear reactions, especially fission.