| Renewable energy is seen as the replacement for | | | | sunshine. Already in the UK, there are homes and |
| fossils fuels. Before the supply of oil and gas has been | | | | businesses using solar power to provide the electricity |
| used up, the world will have to find an alternative form | | | | that they need. |
| of energy. Renewable energy is the energy provided | | | | Nuclear power is often talked about as being a |
| by the sun, wind, water and other sources that will | | | | credible alternative energy source to fossil fuels. |
| never run out. | | | | However, there is a lot of widespread criticism and |
| Biomass and Biomass CHP (Combined Heat and | | | | opposition to nuclear power. In other countries such as |
| Power) is becoming more and more popular. Using | | | | France and America, nuclear power is much more |
| organic matter, such as recently dead crops or plants | | | | widespread. |
| grown specifically for fuel, biomass can help reduce | | | | Utilising the power of water such as waves and tides |
| the amount that is sent to landfill. Biomass CHP uses | | | | is not new. Waterwheels and dams have been used |
| the heat created during the biomass process to drive | | | | for centuries. The UK has not really embraced using |
| a turbine which then generates electricity which can be | | | | water power on a big scale to generate electricity, |
| used to provide heat and power. Many buildings that | | | | despite being surrounded by water. |
| need a constant supply of power and heat, such as | | | | People like driving their cars where and when they |
| hospitals and hotels, and factories are taking | | | | want to go, rather than having to rely on public |
| advantage of biomass CHP. | | | | transport which may not be as reliable or as |
| Wind turbines are becoming a more common sight, | | | | convenient as traveling by car. This means that there |
| whether on the hills, or in the sea. These produce | | | | is still a reliance on petrol and diesel and so oil. Electric |
| electricity which can then be supplied to the National | | | | cars are still in their infancy, and although can be used |
| Grid. As the UK is a fairly windy country, there should | | | | for city driving, they are not suitable for travelling long |
| be many wind turbines in operation but they aren't at | | | | distances. This means that they are currently not |
| the moment. The technology can't be used | | | | suitable for most motorway journeys. As the |
| everywhere, and many people are reluctant to have a | | | | technology progresses and electric cars are capable |
| wind turbine spoiling their views. Wind power is not as | | | | of traveling further without needing to be recharged, |
| effective as you may think, and a wind turbine only | | | | they will become a more viable alternative to petrol |
| produces electricity about 25% of the time. | | | | and diesel cars. |
| Using the power of the sun, solar energy is popular in | | | | Renewable energy and alternative fuels are becoming |
| sunnier and warmer climates. As the technology | | | | more readily available, and the reliance on fossil fuels is |
| improves, it is becoming possible to just use daylight, | | | | being reduced. See what you can do to help the |
| rather than having to have several hours of brilliant | | | | environment. |