Students often state that renewables are '100% carbon-free'. Examiners will award marks if you note that manufacturing, transport, and construction (e.g., concrete for HEP dams) still produce CO2 emissions.
When answering an 'Evaluate' question (usually 6 or 9 marks), you MUST provide a final, balanced conclusion. Summarise whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages based on your evidence.
Use the term 'Base Load' when explaining why we cannot completely switch to wind and solar power overnight; examiners look for this to show you understand the problem of renewable intermittency.
In case study questions about fossil fuel extraction, explicitly categorise your points into Social, Economic, and Environmental impacts to ensure a structured, high-level response.
Energy mix
The range and proportions of different energy sources used by a nation to meet its energy demands.
Energy gap
The difference between a country's rising energy demand and its diminishing ability to produce that energy from its own resources.
Energy security
The uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.
Non-renewable energy
Energy from finite resources that will eventually run out, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear power.
Uranium
A heavy, naturally occurring radioactive metal used as the primary fuel source in nuclear power stations.
Nuclear fission
The process of splitting atomic nuclei (such as uranium) to release a large amount of heat energy, used to generate electricity.
Base Load
A constant, reliable supply of energy provided by fossil fuels or nuclear power to meet continuous minimum demand.
Combined Cycle Systems
Power plant technology that reuses waste heat to generate additional electricity, making the generation process up to 50% more efficient.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
Technology used to capture CO2 emissions from industrial sources and store them underground to prevent them from entering the atmosphere.
Renewable energy
Energy from infinite sources that will not run out, such as solar, wind, HEP, geothermal, and tidal.
Hydroelectric Power (HEP)
A renewable energy method that uses the force of flowing or falling water, often via a dam, to drive turbines and generate electricity.
Biomass
Renewable organic material (such as plants or wood) burned for energy; considered carbon-neutral because the CO2 released during burning equals the CO2 absorbed during growth.
Mineral extraction
The removal of solid mineral resources from the earth for economic use.
Fracking (Hydraulic Fracturing)
Injecting water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure into shale rock to release trapped natural gas.
Put your knowledge into practice — try past paper questions for Geography
Energy mix
The range and proportions of different energy sources used by a nation to meet its energy demands.
Energy gap
The difference between a country's rising energy demand and its diminishing ability to produce that energy from its own resources.
Energy security
The uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.
Non-renewable energy
Energy from finite resources that will eventually run out, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear power.
Uranium
A heavy, naturally occurring radioactive metal used as the primary fuel source in nuclear power stations.
Nuclear fission
The process of splitting atomic nuclei (such as uranium) to release a large amount of heat energy, used to generate electricity.
Base Load
A constant, reliable supply of energy provided by fossil fuels or nuclear power to meet continuous minimum demand.
Combined Cycle Systems
Power plant technology that reuses waste heat to generate additional electricity, making the generation process up to 50% more efficient.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
Technology used to capture CO2 emissions from industrial sources and store them underground to prevent them from entering the atmosphere.
Renewable energy
Energy from infinite sources that will not run out, such as solar, wind, HEP, geothermal, and tidal.
Hydroelectric Power (HEP)
A renewable energy method that uses the force of flowing or falling water, often via a dam, to drive turbines and generate electricity.
Biomass
Renewable organic material (such as plants or wood) burned for energy; considered carbon-neutral because the CO2 released during burning equals the CO2 absorbed during growth.
Mineral extraction
The removal of solid mineral resources from the earth for economic use.
Fracking (Hydraulic Fracturing)
Injecting water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure into shale rock to release trapped natural gas.