Why do we need energy resources?

Why do we
need energy
resources?
Science and Technology
The 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 advantages
and 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 CO per
person
% of World
population
World emitter of
CO (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 CO?
And Chad so little?
Energy use in different countries
Country Tonnes of CO per
person
% of World
population
World emitter of
CO (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 countries
Country Tonnes of CO per
person
% of World
population
World emitter of
CO (rank order)
Chad 0
No data available No data available
China 3.2 19.5% 2
nd

India 1.2 17.3% 4
th

Tanzania 0.1
No data available No data available
UK 9.4 0.9% 7
th

USA 19.8 4.5% 1
st

Why has UK slipped to 7
th
place and China moved up
to 2
nd
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 power
14 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.