Hydroelectric energy Hydroelectricity is where the motion energy of moving water is used to generate electricity. Water is held behind a dam and when it is released it drives generators in the dam.
Biofuel There are many different types of biofuels, for example: Woodchips or wood pellets produced from waste timber products can be burned to provide heat.
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Biofuels such as biodiesel produced from plant oils such as rapeseed oil can be used to provide fuel for vehicles.
Fig. 8 Wood pellets are burned to provide heat.
Fig. 7 The Ardnacrusha Power Station is a hydroelectric power station on the River Shannon in Co. Clare.
41.3 Global energy needs
We need energy for many aspects of our daily life, for example electricity to light our homes and schools, oil and gas for heating and cooking, and petrol and diesel to operate our vehicles. The graph in Fig. 9 shows how much energy is used in the world. Fig. 10 shows the population of the world over the last fifty years and the predicted increase by 2050. As the world’s population continues to rise the demand for energy also increases.
