⚡ Energy · IELTS Vocabulary by Topic · 20 words

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fossil fuel /ˈfɒsl fjuːəl/ n	fuel such as coal, oil or gas formed from ancient plants and animals Burning fossil fuels is the main cause of rising carbon dioxide levels.
solar /ˈsəʊlə(r)/ adj	using or connected with the energy of the sun Solar panels are now cheap enough for ordinary households to install.
wind turbine /ˈwɪnd tɜːbaɪn/ n	a tall structure with blades that uses wind to produce electricity Some residents complain that wind turbines spoil the beauty of the countryside.
nuclear power /ˌnjuːkliə ˈpaʊə(r)/ n	electricity produced from the energy released by splitting atoms Nuclear power produces little carbon but creates dangerous waste.
consumption /kənˈsʌmpʃn/ n	the amount of energy, food or goods that is used Energy consumption usually rises sharply during the hot summer months.
efficiency /ɪˈfɪʃnsi/ n	the quality of doing something well without wasting energy or resources Modern appliances have greatly improved energy efficiency.
carbon footprint /ˌkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/ n	the amount of carbon dioxide produced by the activities of a person or organisation Flying less is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
generate /ˈdʒenəreɪt/ v	to produce energy such as electricity or heat The dam generates enough electricity for half a million homes.
grid /ɡrɪd/ n	the network of cables that carries electricity across a region Remote villages are often not connected to the national grid.
hydroelectric /ˌhaɪdrəʊɪˈlektrɪk/ adj	using the power of moving water to produce electricity Hydroelectric dams can damage river ecosystems and displace local communities.
finite /ˈfaɪnaɪt/ adj	having a limit and able to be used up Oil and gas are finite resources that will eventually run out.
reserves /rɪˈzɜːvz/ n	supplies of oil, gas or minerals that exist and can be used The country has some of the largest natural gas reserves in the world.
insulation /ˌɪnsjuˈleɪʃn/ n	material used to stop heat from escaping from a building Good insulation can cut household heating bills by a third.
alternative /ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv/ adj	that can be used instead of something else, often less harmful Governments should invest more in alternative sources of energy.
depletion /dɪˈpliːʃn/ n	the reduction of something until little or none is left The rapid depletion of natural resources threatens future generations.
biofuel /ˈbaɪəʊfjuːəl/ n	fuel produced from plants or organic waste Growing crops for biofuel may push up global food prices.
power station /ˈpaʊə steɪʃn/ n	a building or group of buildings where electricity is produced The old coal-fired power station will be closed next year.
shortage /ˈʃɔːtɪdʒ/ n	a situation in which there is not enough of something Energy shortages forced factories to reduce their working hours.
energy-efficient /ˌenədʒi ɪˈfɪʃnt/ adj	using little energy to work well Replacing old bulbs with energy-efficient ones saves money in the long term.
decarbonise /diːˈkɑːbənaɪz/ v	to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide produced by an activity or industry Rich nations must decarbonise their economies within the next few decades.