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First exams 2027

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Advantages & disadvantages of energy types (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Geography): Revision Note

Exam code: 0460 & 0976

Bridgette Barrett

Written by: Bridgette Barrett

Reviewed by: Jacque Cartwright

Updated on

Advantages & disadvantages of renewable energy types

  • Renewable energy sources are those which are infinite and will not run out. They include:

    • Hydroelectric

    • Wave/tidal

    • Wind

    • Solar

    • Geothermal

    • Biomass/waste

  • Once in place except for biomass/waste, they do not produce any greenhouse gas emissions

  • Greenhouse gases may be emitted in the production, construction and transport of the equipment

  • All renewable energy sources have advantages and disadvantages

Hydroelectric

Advantages

  • No greenhouse gas emissions

  • Controls flooding downstream

  • Often in sparsely populated areas

  • May provide water storage for irrigation and domestic use

Disadvantages

  • Large areas of land are flooded behind the dam

  • Dam traps sediment which can affect ecosystems downstream

  • Visual pollution

  • Can prevent fish movement upstream

  • People and settlements may have to be relocated

  • Expensive to build and maintain

Wave/tidal

Advantages

  • No greenhouse gas emissions

  • No air pollution

  • Has the potential to produce large amounts of energy

  • Reliable

Disadvantages

  • Expensive to build and maintain

  • Can affect marine ecosystems

  • Few suitable sites

Wind

Advantages

  • No greenhouse gas emissions

  • No air pollution

  • Can be small or large scale 

  • Cheap to run

  • Can be on land or offshore

Disadvantages

  • Not reliable only works when the wind is strong enough but not too strong

  • Visual pollution

  • Noise pollution 

  • Many turbines (233) are needed to produce the same energy as an average coal-fired power station

  • May affect bird migration patterns or kill birds who fly into the moving blades

Solar

Advantages

  • No greenhouse gas emissions 

  • No air pollution

  • Can be small or large scale 

  • Can be used in most locations

  • Can be incorporated into building design

Disadvantages

  • Expensive

  • Not reliable only works when it is sunny

  • Large numbers needs to produce energy

  • Uses large areas of land

Geothermal

Advantages

  • No CO2 gases

  • Lots of potential sites

  • Reliable 

  • Can produce large amounts of energy

Disadvantages

  • Expensive

  • Emits sulphuric gases

  • High temperatures cause machinery to break

Biomass/waste

Advantages

  • Uses waste or biofuels which regrow

  • Available in most locations

Disadvantages

  • Air pollution

  • Produces greenhouse gases

  • Expensive

Advantages & disadvantages of non-renewable energy types

  • Non-renewable energy sources are finite and will eventually run out

  • They include:

    • gas

    • oil

    • coal

    • nuclear 

  • Fossil fuel energy sources are one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions

  • All non-renewable energy sources have advantages and disadvantages

Gas

Advantages

  • Efficient

  • The least polluting of fossil fuels

  • Easy to transport - pipes

  • Easy to produce energy from 

  • Reliable

Disadvantages

  • Risk of explosions

  • Releases CO2 one of the main greenhouse gases

  • Air pollution

  • Price fluctuates

Oil

Advantages

  • Efficient

  • Less polluting than coal

  • Quite easy to transport - pipes or barrels

  • Easy to produce energy from 

  • Reliable

Disadvantages

  • Risk of oil spills - Exxon Valdez

  • Risk of fire/explosions - Piper Alpha oil platform

  • Low world reserves

  • Releases CO2 one of the main greenhouse gases

  • Air pollution 

  • Price fluctuates

Coal

Advantages

  • Large world reserves

  • Mechanisation and technology have made coal more accessible and cheaper

  • Cheap

  • Efficient

  • Easy to produce energy from 

  • Reliable

Disadvantages

  • Releases CO2 one of the main greenhouse gases

  • Releases SO2 which leads to acid rain

  • Opencast mines destroy habitats

  • Heavy and bulky to transport

  • Mining accidents

  • Air pollution

Nuclear

Advantages

  • No greenhouse gas emissions 

  • Efficient

  • Small amounts of uranium needed

Disadvantages

  • Nuclear waste is radioactive and expensive to dispose of

  • Power stations are expensive

  • Risk of nuclear accidents - Chernobyl, Fukushima

  • Possible health impacts in the areas around nuclear power stations

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Remember reducing fossil fuel use is not as easy as simply switching to renewable energies. Although the costs are coming down renewable energy is often still more expensive than using fossil fuels and they are generally not as efficient. This means you need far more to produce the same amount of electricity. 

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    Author
    Reviewer
    Bridgette Barrett

    Author: Bridgette Barrett

    Expertise: Geography, History, Religious Studies & Environmental Studies Subject Lead

    After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.

    Jacque Cartwright

    Reviewer: Jacque Cartwright

    Expertise: Geography Content Creator

    Jacque graduated from the Open University with a BSc in Environmental Science and Geography before doing her PGCE with the University of St David’s, Swansea. Teaching is her passion and has taught across a wide range of specifications – GCSE/IGCSE and IB but particularly loves teaching the A-level Geography. For the past 5 years Jacque has been teaching online for international schools, and she knows what is needed to get the top scores on those pesky geography exams.