- Renewable energy resource
- A resource that is naturally replenished and will not run out (e.g. wind, solar, tidal, hydroelectric, geothermal, wave, biofuel). Renewable resources generate energy with little or no CO₂ emissions during operation.
- Non-renewable energy resource
- A resource that will eventually run out because it cannot be replenished on a human timescale (e.g. coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear uranium). Fossil fuels release CO₂ when burned.
- Energy mix
- The combination of different energy sources used to meet a country's energy demand. A diverse energy mix improves energy security and can reduce environmental impact.
- Geothermal energy
- Energy extracted from heat stored inside the Earth, produced by radioactive decay in the crust and mantle. Used to generate electricity or heat buildings directly.
- Biofuel
- Fuel produced from organic (biological) material such as wood, crop residues, or purpose-grown energy crops. Considered approximately carbon neutral because CO₂ released during burning was absorbed during growth.
- Intermittent
- Not producing energy continuously — output varies with weather or time of day. Wind and solar are intermittent sources. This creates challenges for grid management.
- Baseload
- The minimum level of electricity demand that must be met at all times. Nuclear and gas power stations are used for baseload because they can generate reliably around the clock.
This definitions covers Key Terms within Energy Resources for GCSE Physics. Revise Energy Resources in Energy for GCSE Physics with 15 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 6 of 13 in this topic. Make sure you can use the exact wording confidently, because definition marks are often lost through vague language.
Practice questions for Energy Resources
Which of the following is a renewable energy resource?
Give two advantages and one disadvantage of using wind turbines to generate electricity.
Quick recall flashcards
What does SHWGTB stand for? (Renewable energy sources)
S — Solar
H — Hydroelectric
W — Wind
G — Geothermal
T — Tidal
B — Biofuel
(Wave is sometimes added as a second W)
What is a renewable energy resource?
A renewable energy resource is one that is naturally replenished and will not run out on a human timescale. Examples include wind, solar, tidal, hydroelectric, geothermal, wave, and biofuel.