Primary Energy Types

Coal
1. A combustible, sedimentary rock formed of converted residual plant matter and solidified below overlying rock strata
2. There are several types of raw coal: hard/bituminous coal, brown coal and peat
3. Non-renewable
4. Use releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants, contributing to climate change and atmospheric pollution
5. Carbon capture technology for removing carbon dioxide from atmosphere are unproven and complex
Geothermal Energy
1. Geothermal heat in the outer 10km of the Earth's crust is too diffuse to be exploitable world-wide
2. Renewable
3. Comes from rocks within the Earth and can be tapped in three ways: (1) as hot water or steam, (2) as hot dry rock energy and (3) by means of conduction
4. Availability is limited to a few locations such as Iceland and the Philippines
Hydrological Energy
1. Energy harnessed from the movement of water through rivers, lakes and dams
2. A 'head' of water is stored and then released to drive turbines and generate electricity
3. HEP systems can range in capacity from thousands of megawatts to small micro-hydro schemes
4. Renewable
5. Recyclable
6. Large-scale systems are costly to build
7. Dam-building also has social, political and environmental impacts
8. Smaller micro-hydro plants may not be economically viable
Biomass
1. Organic, non-fossil material of biological origin
2. Although the different forms of energy from biomass are considered renewable, their rates of renewability differ
3. Wood is an example of a biomass energy source
4. Recyclable
5. Relatively low energy densities mean limited potential for large-scale electricity generation
6. Biomass acts as a carbon sink, so combustion releases stored carbon dioxide
Wind Energy
1. Directly related to solar activity, which causes differences in atmospheric pressure and temperature
2. Modern wind turbines range from 600 kW to 5 MW of rated power
3. Renewable
4. Only certain locations have enough wind to be viable
5. Wind energy is variable power, so it is difficult to manage power supply through a grid system without some back up
Ocean Energy
1. Energy harnessed by using either the physical characteristics of oceans or their chemical characteristics
2. Renewable
3. Only certain locations are suitable for offshore tidal generation
4. Technology for large-scale generation is unproven
5. Ocean sources have low energy densities, and large devices are needed to harness this energy
Solar Energy
1. Energy directly harnessed from solar radiation, as distinct from wind, water and biomass energies indirectly driven by the sun
2. Solar radiation is absorbed by a collector and converted into heat energy, or into electricity by photovoltaic cells
3. Renewable
4. Distribution and availability varies spatially and temporally
5. Photovoltaic technology is still expensive compared with fossil fuels
Crude Oil
1. A naturally occurring mineral oil consisting of many types of hydrocarbons
2. Crude oil may include small amounts of non-hydrocarbons
3. Non-renewable
4. Concerns that global supplies may have reached their peak, security of supply, geopolitical tensions and lack of alternatives, especially for transport
5. Releases carbon dioxide when burnt
Nuclear Fission
1. The division of a heavy nucleus into two parts, usually accompanied by the emission of neutrons, gamma radiation and energy release
2. This energy is converted into heat that raises steam to drive turbines and generate electricity
3. Non-renewable (may be recyclable)
4. There are possible health risks associated with power plants and accidents such as Chernobyl
5. Disposal of radioactive material raises safety issues and there are unknown long-term risks
Natural Gas
1. A methane rich gas found underground
2. It may also contain water vapour, sulphur compounds and other non-hydrogen gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or helium
3. Non-renewable
4. Costs and security of supply are high, especially for countries that are largely importers
5. Releases carbon dioxide on use

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Primary Energy Types

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	Created by Jodie Goodacre over 10 years ago