Geography · Year 4 · Resources and the Environment · Summer Term

Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Energy

Investigating different ways of generating electricity and their impact on the landscape.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• KS2: Geography - Human Geography
• KS2: Geography - Physical Geography

About This Topic

Energy: Renewable vs Non-Renewable investigates how we power our lives and the geographical impact of different energy sources. Students learn to distinguish between fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) and renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. This topic meets the National Curriculum's focus on human geography and the distribution of natural resources, including energy.

Students explore why certain energy projects are located in specific places, such as wind farms on windy coastlines or solar farms in sunny fields. They also consider the pros and cons of each source, including their impact on the landscape and the climate. This topic particularly benefits from hands-on, student-centered approaches where students can model energy generation or debate the placement of new energy infrastructure in their local area.

Key Questions

1. Explain the geographical reasons for locating wind farms in coastal or upland areas.
2. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of transitioning away from fossil fuels.
3. Analyze how daily energy use contributes to global climate change.

Learning Objectives

• Classify energy sources as either renewable or non-renewable, providing at least two examples for each.
• Explain the geographical factors influencing the placement of wind farms and solar power stations.
• Compare the environmental advantages and disadvantages of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
• Analyze how personal daily energy consumption contributes to broader environmental impacts.

Before You Start

Types of Rocks and Their Uses

Why: Understanding different rock types is foundational for comprehending the extraction and use of fossil fuels like coal.

Weather and Climate

Why: Knowledge of weather patterns, particularly wind and sunshine, is necessary to understand the siting of renewable energy sources like wind turbines and solar panels.

Key Vocabulary

Renewable Energy	Energy generated from sources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as wind, sun, and water.
Non-Renewable Energy	Energy derived from finite resources that are consumed much faster than they are formed, like coal, oil, and natural gas.
Fossil Fuels	A group of non-renewable energy sources formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals, including coal, oil, and natural gas.
Wind Turbine	A device with large blades that rotate to capture wind energy and convert it into electricity.
Solar Panel	A device that converts sunlight directly into electricity using photovoltaic cells.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Renewable energy is 'free' and has no impact.

What to Teach Instead

Students often think renewables are perfect. Through role play, they can learn that wind turbines can affect birds or that solar farms take up valuable farmland, helping them understand that every energy choice has a trade-off.

Common Misconception

Electricity is a 'natural resource'.

What to Teach Instead

Children often confuse the energy source with the electricity itself. Peer-teaching about the 'generator' process helps them realize that electricity is something we *make* using natural resources like wind or coal.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The Power Grid Game

Small groups are given a 'budget' of energy tokens. They must choose a mix of energy sources to power a city. They face 'events' (e.g., a cloudy day or a coal shortage) and must see if their grid can cope.

45 min·Small Groups

Role Play: The Wind Farm Inquiry

Students act as a green energy company, a local birdwatcher, and a homeowner. They must debate whether to build a new wind farm on a nearby hill, considering the need for clean energy versus the impact on the view and wildlife.

50 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk: Energy Landscapes

Display photos of different energy sites (an oil rig, a coal mine, a solar farm, a dam). Students move in pairs to identify one way each site has changed the physical landscape around it.

30 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Geographical consultants advise energy companies on the best locations for new wind farms, considering wind speeds, landscape impact, and proximity to electricity grids, such as the large offshore wind farms developed in the North Sea.
• Urban planners in cities like Bristol are evaluating the feasibility of installing solar panels on public buildings and homes to reduce reliance on the national grid and decrease carbon emissions.
• Environmental scientists at organizations like The Wildlife Trusts assess the impact of energy infrastructure, like new power lines or hydroelectric dams, on local ecosystems and biodiversity.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Present students with images of different energy generation methods (e.g., a coal power plant, a wind turbine, a solar farm, a hydroelectric dam). Ask them to write down whether each is renewable or non-renewable and one reason why.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine our town needs a new power source. Where would be the best place to build a wind farm and why? What problems might arise?' Facilitate a class discussion, encouraging students to use geographical reasoning and consider advantages and disadvantages.

Exit Ticket

On a slip of paper, ask students to list two ways their family uses energy at home each day. Then, ask them to suggest one change their family could make to reduce their energy consumption and explain why it would help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy?

Renewable energy comes from sources that will never run out, like the sun, wind, and water. Non-renewable energy comes from sources that take millions of years to form and will eventually run out, like coal, oil, and natural gas.

Why don't we use 100% renewable energy now?

While we are using more every year, it is challenging because some renewables are 'intermittent' (the wind doesn't always blow and the sun doesn't always shine). We also need to update our national grid to handle energy coming from many small sources rather than a few big power stations.

How does energy use contribute to climate change?

Burning fossil fuels like coal and gas releases greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, causing the Earth's temperature to rise, which leads to climate change.

How can active learning help students understand energy sources?

Energy is often an 'invisible' topic. Active learning, like the 'Power Grid Game,' makes the challenges of energy management visible and tangible. When students have to balance a budget and respond to weather changes, they understand the 'why' behind our energy mix. This problem-solving approach is much more effective than simply memorizing a list of pros and cons for each energy type.