Energy Resource
Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
An energy resource is a part of the environment that has a store of energy which can be used by humans.
About Energy Resources
- Energy Resources are used for heating and lighting our homes as well as provide energy for transport and industry to build products.
- Energy resources are split into two groups; Renewable and Non-renewable.
Key Stage 4
Meaning
An energy resource is a part of the environment that has a store of energy which can be used by humans.
About Energy Resources
- Energy Resources are used to heat homes and to generate electricity.
- Energy resources are split into two groups; Renewable and Non-renewable.
Trends in the use of Energy Resources
Daily Trends in Energy Use
- The amount of electricity used and how it is generated changes over time.
- To meet the changing demand for electricity companies must be able to increase or decrease the amount of energy needed quickly.
The following energy resources can be used to quickly increased or decreased electricity production to meet the demands:
- Oil Power - The amount burned can be changed over a period of minutes.
- Gas Power - The amount burned can be changed at a moments notice.
- Nuclear Power - The rate of reaction can be changed quickly.
- Hydroelectric - The amount of water allowed through the dam can be varied quickly.
- Tidal - The amount of water allowed through the barrage can be varied quickly.
 |
| This graph shows a typical example of how power usage varies throughout the 24 hours of the day in the United Kingdom. The early hours of the morning show a low power usage because most people are not using much electricity while there is a peak in the evening at around 8:00pm while people cook food and heat their homes.
A minimum of 20,000MW are needed throughout the day which can be produced by any available energy resource. However, a variable amount of power (around 20,000MW) is also needed, which can only be generated by energy resources which can quickly vary their power output. |
Future Trends
Many Governments are trying to decrease their reliance on Fossil Fuels because:
- The produce Carbon Dioxide which scientists have linked to Global Warming
- Fossil Fuels will run out one day so we need an alternative to provide electricity.
The use of Renewable Energy Resources is likely to increase over the next few years while the use of Non-renewable Energy Resources such as Coal, Crude Oil and Natural Gas are likely to decrease.
 |
 |
| The percentage of the United Kingdom's electricity generated by different energy resources in 1990 and 2014. There is a clear decrease in the use of Coal and Crude Oil and an increase in the use of Natural Gas and a number of Renewable Energy Resources. | |
The current trend suggests that the use of Renewable Energy Resources will continue to increase in the future. However, since Wind Power is unreliable and cannot be altered to meet demand, there will likely be a need for Natural Gas to generate electricity.