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UK Environmental Challenges

The UK’s renewable and non-renewable energy sources

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 01

Overview

What makes a source renewable or non-renewable, the fuels Britain relies on, its renewable options, why nuclear and biomass are classed as they are, the biggest shares of electricity, and why Britain imports energy.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Which non-renewable and renewable energy sources does Britain use, and which supply most of its electricity today?

Key term

Which non-renewable fuels does Britain rely on?

Key term

Which renewable sources are available to Britain?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What makes an energy source renewable?

    Model answer

    It draws on a natural flow that is replenished as fast as it is used, so supplies are not exhausted.

  2. 2

    What makes an energy source non-renewable?

    Model answer

    It draws on a finite store laid down over geological time, so once it has been used it cannot be replaced within a human lifetime.

  3. 3

    Which non-renewable fuels does Britain rely on?

    Model answer

    Coal, oil and natural gas, together with the uranium burned in nuclear reactors.

  4. 4

    Which renewable sources are available to Britain?

    Model answer

    Wind, solar, hydroelectric, tidal and wave power, along with biomass and geothermal heat.

  5. 5

    Why is nuclear power classed as non-renewable when it burns no fossil fuel?

    Model answer

    Because it depends on uranium, a mined ore that exists in limited quantities.

  6. 6

    Is biomass renewable?

    Model answer

    Yes, because the wood or crops burned can be regrown, although burning them still releases carbon dioxide.

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