National and global energy resources: The uses of energy resources include: transport, electricity generation and heating.

The idea

Energy resources are used for three main purposes: transport, electricity generation and heating. Transport includes vehicles which mostly use fuels such as petrol, diesel or biofuels. Electricity generation uses resources such as coal, natural gas, nuclear fuel, wind, solar and hydroelectricity to produce electricity. Heating includes warming buildings and providing hot water, often using natural gas, biomass or solar thermal panels. The same resource can serve more than one use: natural gas can generate electricity and heat homes. Note that electricity is an energy carrier, not a primary resource, though it powers transport and heating. When evaluating a resource, consider its availability, cost, reliability and environmental effects for each specific use.

What earns the marks

• Identifies transport as a use of energy resources and gives a valid example such as petrol, diesel or biofuel.
• Identifies electricity generation as a use and names a resource used for it, such as coal, natural gas, nuclear fuel, wind, solar or hydroelectricity.
• Identifies heating as a use and names a resource used for it, such as natural gas, biomass or solar thermal energy.
• Explains that one energy resource can be used for more than one purpose, for example natural gas for both electricity generation and heating.
• Evaluates a resource for a given use by considering factors such as reliability, cost, availability and environmental impact.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Listing only fuels and forgetting that primary resources are also used to generate electricity.

  Put it right: Resources like coal, wind and solar are used for electricity generation, which then powers transport and heating.

• Confusing electricity generation with electricity use.

  Put it right: Generation is the production of electricity in power stations or by generators, while use is what the electricity powers.

• Assuming heating always uses natural gas.

  Put it right: Heating can use biomass, solar thermal energy or geothermal resources as well as gas.

Exam tips

• Structure answers around the three uses: transport, electricity generation and heating, and give a named resource for each.
• When a question asks for a comparison, link each resource to a specific use rather than describing it in general terms.
• Use correct terms such as 'electricity generation' and 'heating' rather than vague words like 'power' or 'energy making'.