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Fossil fuels include coal, oil and natural gas. They were formed from the remains of living organisms millions of years ago and they release heat energy when they are burned. They are non-renewable. They have chemical energy stored within them.

About three-quarters of the electricity generated in the UK comes from power stations fuelled by fossil fuels. This diagram shows an energy transfer diagram for the generation of electricity from a fossil fuel such as coal.

Advantages of using fossil fuels

• At the moment, fossil fuels are relatively cheap and easy to obtain. This may not always be the case.
• Much of our infrastructure is designed to run using fossil fuels.

Disadvantages of using fossil fuels

• Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy resources. Their supply is limited and they will eventually run out, whereas fuels such as wood can be renewed endlessly.
• Coal and oil release sulfur dioxide gas when they burn, which contributes to acid rain.
• Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide when they burn, which adds to the greenhouse effect and increases global warming. Of the three fossil fuels, for a given amount of energy released, coal produces the most carbon dioxide and natural gas produces the least.

Carbon capture

Carbon capture and storage is a way to prevent carbon dioxide building up in the atmosphere. It is a rapidly evolving technology that involves separating carbon dioxide from waste gases. The carbon dioxide is then stored underground, for example in old oil or gas fields such as those found under the North Sea.