2.2 Energy Resources and the Generation of Electricity

2026 Syllabus Objectives

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

  1. Classify energy resources as non-renewable or renewable (fossil fuels, nuclear power, biofuels, geothermal power, hydro-electric power, tidal power, wave power, solar power, wind power)
  2. Describe how each energy resource is used to generate electricity
  3. Describe the environmental, economic, and social advantages and disadvantages of each energy resource

Section 1: Non-Renewable vs. Renewable Energy — What's the Difference?

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Before we look at each energy resource, you need to understand these two key ideas:

  • Non-renewable energy — An energy source that will run out eventually because it takes millions of years to form. Once it is used up, it is gone forever.
  • Renewable energy — An energy source that is constantly being replenished (refilled) by natural processes, so it will never run out.

Classification Table

Energy ResourceNon-Renewable or Renewable?
Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)Non-renewable
Nuclear power (using uranium)Non-renewable
Biofuels (bioethanol, biogas, wood)Renewable
Geothermal powerRenewable
Hydro-electric powerRenewable
Tidal powerRenewable
Wave powerRenewable
Solar powerRenewable
Wind powerRenewable

Section 2: How Each Energy Resource Generates Electricity

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2.1 Fossil Fuels (Coal, Oil, Natural Gas)

What are they? Fossil fuels formed from the remains of dead plants and animals that were buried underground for millions of years. Heat and pressure slowly turned them into coal, oil, or natural gas. Examples include coal (a solid black rock), crude oil (a liquid), and natural gas (a gas, mainly methane).

How do they generate electricity?

  1. The fossil fuel is burned in a furnace (a large oven).
  2. The heat from burning turns water into steam.
  3. The high-pressure steam spins a turbine (a large fan-like machine).
  4. The spinning turbine drives a generator, which produces electricity.
  5. The electricity is sent through power lines to homes, schools, and businesses.

🔑 Key idea: Burning → Heat → Steam → Turbine → Generator → Electricity. This sequence is called a thermal power station.

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