Fossil fuels
Fossil fuels are a finite resource, meaning that they cannot be replaced once extracted from the ground. In 2015, 80 per cent of energy consumed in the world came from fossil fuels. In early 2018, the UK's dependence on fossil fuels was at a low of 77 per cent. Examples include:
- coal
- natural gas
- oil
Coal
Use of coal for electricity generation in the UK has fallen since 2012. This energy is created through the burning of coal, which is usually crushed first. The hot coal heats water, turning it into When water boils it forms a visible mist of water droplets called steam.. The steam builds up to a very high pressure and this is used to spin a Revolving machine with blades that are turned by wind, water or steam. Turbines in a power station turn the generators.. The turbine is connected to an electrical Device that converts kinetic energy into electrical energy., which creates electricity.
| Advantages of coal | Disadvantages of coal |
| Enough coal on Earth to last hundreds of years | Produces carbon dioxide when burned, contributing to global warming |
| Produces high amounts of energy | Damage is caused to natural land when mining takes place |
| Advantages of coal | Enough coal on Earth to last hundreds of years |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of coal | Produces carbon dioxide when burned, contributing to global warming |
| Advantages of coal | Produces high amounts of energy |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of coal | Damage is caused to natural land when mining takes place |
Natural gas
In 2017, natural gas accounted for over 30 per cent of the UK's energy production. It is used for heating and cooking and is one of the main sources of powers for electricity production in the UK.
It is most commonly produced off-shore and transported through pipelines to a gas-powered electricity power station. In the UK there are A natural gas that is trapped in fine-grain rock known as shale. deposits. Shale gas is obtained using a process known as A process of forcing liquid and sand into shale rock to force oil or gas out., which involves cracking large rocks underground. There is a lot of discussion about whether or not this process should be used, with concerns around damage to land and the release of harmful gases.
| Advantages of natural gas | Disadvantages of natural gas |
| It emits less carbon dioxide than coal or oil | Gas is highly flammable - if there is a gas leak, an explosion can easily happen |
| The UK has shale gas deposits | Extracting gas might cause the pollution of water |
| Advantages of natural gas | It emits less carbon dioxide than coal or oil |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of natural gas | Gas is highly flammable - if there is a gas leak, an explosion can easily happen |
| Advantages of natural gas | The UK has shale gas deposits |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of natural gas | Extracting gas might cause the pollution of water |
Oil
Very little of the UK鈥檚 electricity comes from oil as it is mainly used for fuel or is turned into plastics. However, a very small amount is burned to heat water, creating steam, to generate electricity.
| Advantages of oil | Disadvantages of oil |
| A small amount of oil can produce a lot of energy | Creates significant air pollution when burned |
| It is relatively easy to store and transport | Considerable impact on water, land use and disposal |
| Advantages of oil | A small amount of oil can produce a lot of energy |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of oil | Creates significant air pollution when burned |
| Advantages of oil | It is relatively easy to store and transport |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of oil | Considerable impact on water, land use and disposal |