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• Energy powers our homes, industries and transport systems. Some countries have a surplus of energy and others have a deficit. Energy is traded to even this out.
• Energy consumption is increasing globally. The production of electricity from renewable energy is increasing, but non-renewable fossil fuels still make up most of the energy we use.
• There are advantages and disadvantages of renewable and non-renewable energy resources.

Energy powers buildings, industries, and transport systems. This is often electricity but can also be fuels like wood and petroleum.

Energy use is often measured per capita. Iceland, Canada, the United States and wealthier nations in the Middle East are amongst the highest consumers of energy per capita. Iceland is able to exploit geothermal power and many Middle Eastern countries have large reserves of oil. Many oil producing countries are also large consumers of oil. It is usually cheaper and more reliable for a country to use their own energy reserves, rather than import resources from elsewhere. Bangladesh, Burkina Faso and French Guiana are amongst the lowest consumers of energy per capita. In Burkina Faso, around 20 per cent of people don't have access to electricity.

Energy consumption is increasing globally. Non-renewable fossil fuels still make up most of the energy use. New oil fields have been discovered in countries like China and Brazil, which have meant that more fossil fuels are available for use. The production of electricity from renewable energy is increasing. However, only around one-third of the world's electricity is generated using renewables.

Some countries have a surplus of energy and others have a deficit. Energy is traded to even this out. On occasions, energy security has led to disputes and even the possibility of conflict between countries. For example, Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam, which was constructed to generate hydro-electric power (HEP), has led to conflict with Sudan and Egypt. The dam collects water, which reduces the flow of the River Nile into Sudan and Egypt.

1. Electricity is produced when turbines are turned. This can be done using things like coal and oil, or wind and waves. As turbines spin, kinetic energy is converted into an electric current. This produces a voltage, which is electricity.

2. Transformers increase the voltage or power. This allows the electricity to travel over long distances.

3. The electricity is then added to a national grid. This is a system for managing electricity supplies across a country. It ensures that everyone has access to electricity all of the time.

4. The electricity arrives at substations. These lower the voltage so that it is safe to travel along smaller power lines and into homes.

5. Electricity enters your home via a meter box. This measures how much electricity you use. It then travels through wires inside the walls to plug switches and light sockets.

Non-renewable energy resources cannot be replaced and so they will eventually run out. Examples include fossil fuels and nuclear power.

Fossil fuels are coal, oil and gas. Burning fossil fuels creates heat, but also releases carbon dioxide, which adds to the amount of greenhouse gases.

Advantages:

• Fossil fuels have been used for many years and so they are easy to use.
• They generate large amounts of energy relatively cheaply.

Disadvantages:

• Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, adding to global warming.
• The UK is dependent on prices set by other countries.

Nuclear power uses uranium as a fuel.

Advantages:

• Small amounts of uranium produce lots of energy.
• Once up and running, it is cheap to produce electricity.
• Carbon emissions are low.

Disadvantages:

• Accidents involving nuclear power are highly dangerous and can cause loss of life. They can also have long lasting affects.
• The waste from nuclear power is dangerous and so expensive to store.

Renewable energy sources can be replaced quickly. Examples include wind power, hydroelectric power (HEP), and solar energy.

Wind power uses turbines to harness the power of the wind, which does not generate carbon emissions.

Advantages:

• Wind power does not generate carbon emissions.
• The land beneath turbines can be used for other things.

Disadvantages:

• Wind power can only be used when the wind blows.
• Some people think turbines spoil views and make a noise.

Hydroelectric power (HEP) uses dams to trap water, which can be used to turn turbines.

Advantages:

• Hydroelectric power does not generate carbon emissions.
• Dams can reduce flood risk and water shortages.

Disadvantages:

• Dams are expensive to build.
• Large areas of land are flooded.

Energy released from the Sun is transferred into electricity.

Advantages:

• Solar energy does not generate carbon emissions.
• Solar panels can be placed on houses allowing households to become more energy secure.

Disadvantages:

• Advance costs can be expensive.
• Equipment needs regular maintenance.
• Manufacturing of panels requires fossil fuels to be used.
• Habitats can be damaged with solar panel farms.