Renewable Energy Solar Energy Advantages: Solar energy is free Solar energy does not cause pollution. Disadvantages: Solar cells are expensive to make Only a small amount of the solar energy is converted to electrical energy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja3-JW7cKos
Non- Renewable energy Examples: Oil, Coal, Gas, Turf Advantages: Easy to get Reasonably cheap Disadvantages: Causes greenhouse gases to be emitted. Polluting the atmosphere. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG7L5lVoqy8
Hydroelectricity Advantages: Does not cause pollution. Cost effective not expensive to produce electricity. Disadvantages: Flooding can destroy plant and animal habitats. Building of dams can cause flooding in valleys where people live. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW0Md5yrZI4
Wind Energy Advantages: Wind energy is free Does not cause pollution. Disadvantages: No electricity produced on calm days Large windmills are noisy and spoil the beauty of the countryside. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsoa-EvOt7A
Nuclear Energy Advantages: Nuclear fusion would use a fuel in plentiful supply Would reduce the present level of greenhouse gases Disadvantages: Danger of explosion Harmful effects of radioactive waste
Conserving Energy Switching off electrical devices Install light saving bulbs Use public transport, walk to school or cycle if possible Insulation reduces the need to use larger amounts of energy such as oil. Ireland imports nearly all the fossil fuels that we use to generate electricity. This is unwise.