iGCSE Energy Resources Case Study

CHANGING ENERGY USE: 1940 - PRESENTCOALMain source of energy in 1950s as huge reserves in the NE, Midlands & S. Wales. 1n 1960s energy supplied by was 76% In 1970s reliance on coal started to fall down to its present total of 34% - it fell because British reserves began to decline and became more expensive to extract.

NUCLEARFirst nuclear power station opened in 1956 Peak production was 1997 where it produced 26% of UK energy Nuclear became popular as it reduced reliance on imports of foreign raw materials & seen as a cleaner energy UK has 9 operational nuclear power stations producing 15% of energy. The risks of accidents & problems of waste disposal & expensive construction costs may mean alternatives are sought

GASGas is the biggest supplier of UK energy It increased after its discovery in the North & Irish sea & its seen as cleaner than coal. There are 45 gas fired power stations producing 43% of UK energy Gas is finite & UK now imports over 40% of its gas

WIND1n 2011 the UK had 296 wind farms & over 3,400 turbines Proposals for hundreds of more wind farms but due to NIMBYism they've been delayed. Some forced offshore which is very expensive.

TIDALStill in its infancy but UK leading the research & hopes to see increased production. It needs very specific conditions for it to work & only about 20 ideal sites around the world, 8 of which are in the UK!

SOURCE: http://greenfieldgeography.wikispaces.com/IGCSE+and+GCSE+Energy,+Water+and+the+Environment

geographil@philranday