Energy Resources and Environmental Impact
Renewable energy resources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric never run out and don't produce harmful waste. Fossil fuels (oil, coal, gas) will eventually run out and produce greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
Nuclear power releases massive amounts of energy from tiny amounts of fuel - much more than any fossil fuel per kilogram. However, nuclear power stations are expensive to build and produce radioactive waste that lasts thousands of years.
Different energy sources suit different situations. Wind power depends on wind speed cubed (v³), so small increases in wind speed give huge increases in power. Solar panels work brilliantly in sunny locations, whilst geothermal energy uses heat from radioactive decay deep underground.
Future Focus: Gas-fired power stations can quickly meet changing energy demands, whilst pumped storage systems store excess energy by pumping water uphill when demand is low.