Use the acronym SHWGTB to remember the six main renewable energy sources:
- S — Solar (light from the Sun)
- H — Hydroelectric (falling water)
- W — Wind (moving air)
- G — Geothermal (heat from the Earth)
- T — Tidal (Moon's gravitational pull)
- B — Biofuel (organic material)
Wave power is sometimes listed separately — if you need to remember it too, add a second W: SHWGTBW.
For non-renewables, remember "CONK": Coal, Oil, Nuclear, gaK (Gas). Or more naturally: Coal, Oil, Gas, Nuclear — the four non-renewables.
Quick Check: Which two renewable sources are most reliable (predictable)?
Tidal power (predictable because tides are caused by the Moon's gravity, which follows a reliable cycle) and geothermal power (heat from inside the Earth is available 24/7). Hydroelectric is also very reliable when there is sufficient water in the reservoir.
This memory aid covers Memory Aid: Renewable Sources 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 9 of 13 in this topic. Use it for quick recall, then test yourself straight afterwards so the memory aid becomes usable in an answer.
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.