pros cons

 rising costs
 extremely versatile
 NOx & CO2 produced when combusted

Oil 
easy to transport
high energy content per mass
 resource is only found in a few places
 peak production maybe near?
 people already know it
 non-renewable

 versatile
Natural  cheaper than oil
 flammable
 non-renewable
Gas  medium energy content per mass
 high impact from mining and pipelines
 low emissions on combustion

 SOx, CO2, and particulates from

 stocks will last longer than oil
combustion
 cheaper than oil

Coal  mines can be built in conjunction with
mining can be difficult, dangerous, &
polluting
power plantsless transport & cheap
 non-renewable
electricity
 bulky material and hard to transport
 resource depends on precipitation and
 low quantities of air pollution
Hydro-  renewable resource

river flow
may displace human communities
Electric  reservoirs provide recreation and
irrigation opportunities
 destroys existing ecosystems
 dams require continuous maintenance

 limited supplies (non-renewable) of fuel

Nuclear  no CO2 produced (uranium)
 requires very small quantities of fuel  must deal with radioactive wastes
Fission  produces large amounts of energy  risk of “meltdown”
 stations require continuous maintenance

 continuous supply in many locations  large seasonal variation in some

 easy conversion of energy by PV cells locations
Solar  no fuel burnt so no air pollution  takes up lots of space
 can be used directly, without  expensive to set up
modification to heat and cook  heavy metals are often used in PV cells

Geo-  continuous supply possible  requires specialist training & equipment

 no fuel burnt so no air pollution  expensive setup
Thermal  renewable  only suitable in certain places

 visual and noise pollution (has been

 renewable
linked to psychological problems in

Wind low pollution (manufacture pollutes a
little)
humans & animals)
 hazard to wildlife (esp. birds and bats)
 can be put into multi-use fields
 only suitable in windy areas

 often already a traditional fuel  destruction of natural habitats to grow


Biofuel 
theoretically CO2 neutral
can provide habitat for wildlife (grasses 
grains/plants for fuel
irrigation demands
etc)  can replace farms growing food