Which is a disadvantage of solar power?

Its output depends on the weather and time of day. No sun, no power.

Which is an advantage of fossil fuels?

They give a reliable supply. Power stations can run whenever needed.

Which is a disadvantage of hydroelectric power?

Reservoirs flood land and displace people. Large areas are lost under the water.

Which is a disadvantage of nuclear power?

radioactive waste that lasts thousands of years. The waste must be stored safely for a very long time.

Which is a way of managing energy sustainably?

improving energy efficiency. Less energy is needed for the same result.

Energy sources compared, and managing supply · Cambridge IGCSE Geography (9

In plain words

There is no perfect source of energy. Every one has a cost: in money, in carbon, in land, or in reliability. Choosing an energy future means deciding which costs are worth paying.

8 things to know

Fossil fuels: reliable, with a high energy output, and the power stations already exist. But they release carbon dioxide and air pollution, and they will run out.
Nuclear: a very large output from a small amount of fuel, with very low carbon emissions. But its waste stays radioactive for thousands of years, accidents are rare but serious, and it is expensive to build and to close down.
Hydroelectric: cheap, reliable and adjustable once built. But dams flood land, displace people and need suitable valleys.
Wind and solar: no emissions in use and cheap to run. But they depend on the weather, so output varies, and they need a lot of space.
Geothermal: reliable and clean, but possible only in a few places. Tidal: predictable, but expensive, with few suitable sites. Biomass: uses waste material, but releases carbon dioxide when burned and can compete with food crops for land.
Ways to increase supply: finding and exploiting new reserves, building more renewable and nuclear capacity, and importing.
Sustainable management also reduces demand: insulating buildings, efficient appliances and lighting, public transport, and smart meters.
Using less energy is usually the cheapest option, and the cleanest.

Worked example

Evaluate wind power as a way of meeting a country's electricity needs.

For: it is renewable, produces no carbon dioxide in use, and is cheap to run once the turbines are built.
Against: output falls when the wind drops, so it needs backup or storage, and some people object to how turbines look and sound.
Judgement: it is a valuable part of an energy mix, but it cannot supply everything alone.

Tips and tricks

Give each source at least one advantage and one disadvantage, and make them specific to that source.
Do not forget conservation. Reducing demand is a strategy for managing energy, and often the most sustainable.

5 questions, about 2 minutes.

It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.

Energy sources compared, and managing supply: 5 questions and answers

These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.

Which is a disadvantage of solar power?
- It produces carbon dioxide.
- Its output depends on the weather and time of day. (the answer)
- It will run out.
- It produces radioactive waste.
No sun, no power.
Which is an advantage of fossil fuels?
- They are renewable.
- They produce no emissions.
- They give a reliable supply. (the answer)
- They will never run out.
Power stations can run whenever needed.
Which is a disadvantage of hydroelectric power?
- It is unreliable.
- Reservoirs flood land and displace people. (the answer)
- It produces radioactive waste.
- It is expensive to run.
Large areas are lost under the water.
Which is a disadvantage of nuclear power?
- high carbon emissions
- radioactive waste that lasts thousands of years (the answer)
- low energy output
- dependence on the wind
The waste must be stored safely for a very long time.
Which is a way of managing energy sustainably?
- burning more coal
- improving energy efficiency (the answer)
- leaving lights on
- using older appliances
Less energy is needed for the same result.

5 questions

Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.

Worksheet

3 questions, 10 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.

Energy sources compared, and managing supply

Cambridge IGCSE Geography (9–1) 0976 · 10 marks · papermunch.org

Name ______________________________ Date ______________

Give two advantages and two disadvantages of nuclear power.[4]
Show answerHide answer
Advantages: it produces a large amount of energy from a small amount of fuel; it releases very little carbon dioxide. Disadvantages: its waste is radioactive for thousands of years; power stations are very expensive to build.
I got this one
Give two advantages and two disadvantages of hydroelectric power.[4]
Show answerHide answer
Advantages: it is renewable; it is cheap to run and reliable. Disadvantages: the reservoir floods land and displaces people; it needs a suitable valley and a good water supply.
I got this one
Describe two ways of reducing the demand for energy.[2]
Show answerHide answer
Insulating buildings so that less heating is needed. Using energy-efficient appliances and lighting.
I got this one

Answers: Energy sources compared, and managing supply

1. Advantages: it produces a large amount of energy from a small amount of fuel; it releases very little carbon dioxide. Disadvantages: its waste is radioactive for thousands of years; power stations are very expensive to build.
2. Advantages: it is renewable; it is cheap to run and reliable. Disadvantages: the reservoir floods land and displaces people; it needs a suitable valley and a good water supply.
3. Insulating buildings so that less heating is needed. Using energy-efficient appliances and lighting.