New
New
Alternative energy supplies
I can describe alternative sources of energy to using fossil fuels, and some of their benefits and limitations.
Lesson 11 of 14
New
New
- Year 9
Alternative energy supplies
I can describe alternative sources of energy to using fossil fuels, and some of their benefits and limitations.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Alternative energy sources include renewable energy sources and nuclear power.
- Renewable energy sources produce little or no greenhouse gas emissions.
- The cost of renewable technology is falling, making it more accessible.
- Nuclear energy is reliable and does not produce greenhouse gas emissions.
- There are disadvantages in using nuclear energy.
Keywords
Renewable energy - sources of energy that can be reused and will not run out
Geothermal energy - energy from the heat inside Earth
Nuclear energy - is the energy from inside atoms which can be used to generate electricity
Common misconception
Renewable energy is always expensive to set up.
Small-scale renewable energy projects such as micro-hydro plants can be fairly cheap and help communities in lower income countries.
Use Google Earth with the class to look at the scale of the Bhadla solar park in India.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords with their correct meaning.
Match the keywords with their correct meaning.
Q2.Which of the following is a human cause of climate change?
Which of the following is a human cause of climate change?
Solar flares
Volcanic eruptions
Earth’s orbit
Q3.What is the Anthropocene best known for?
What is the Anthropocene best known for?
Humans beginning to walk upright
The extinction of the dinosaurs
The formation of Earth
Q4.One reason carbon emissions have increased in recent history is:
One reason carbon emissions have increased in recent history is:
Fewer cars on the road
More tree planting
Use of wind turbines
Q5.Which of the following shows a positive human impact on the planet?
Which of the following shows a positive human impact on the planet?
Plastic pollution
Habitat destruction
Deforestation
Q6.Humans release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when they burn fuels.
Humans release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when they burn fuels.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords with their correct meanings.
Match the keywords with their correct meanings.
Q2.What makes nuclear energy different from fossil fuels?
What makes nuclear energy different from fossil fuels?
It uses wind
It’s made from water
It can’t produce electricity
Q3.Solar panels turn sunlight into .
Solar panels turn sunlight into .
Q4.Why is it wrong to say renewable energy is always expensive?
Why is it wrong to say renewable energy is always expensive?
It's made of gold
It's only used in rich countries
It needs coal to work
