Energy Resources

This lesson covers energy resources, including the differences between renewable and non-renewable sources, as required by the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification (1SC0). You need to know the advantages and disadvantages of each resource and how they are used to generate electricity.

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Energy Resources and Electricity Generation

Most of the electricity we use is generated in power stations. The basic process for many power stations is:

1. A fuel is burned (or a nuclear reaction occurs) to heat water.
2. The water produces steam.
3. The steam turns a turbine.
4. The turbine drives a generator.
5. The generator produces electricity.

flowchart LR
    A["Fuel\n(chemical/nuclear store)"] -->|Heating| B["Water → Steam"]
    B -->|Mechanically| C["Turbine"]
    C -->|Mechanically| D["Generator"]
    D -->|Electrically| E["National Grid"]

Exam Tip: Learn this sequence: fuel → steam → turbine → generator → electricity. Many exam questions ask you to describe how a particular resource generates electricity.

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Non-Renewable Energy Resources

Non-renewable resources will eventually run out because they are being used faster than they are being formed. They took millions of years to form.