Renewable and non-renewable energy
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Explainer Video
Summary
Renewable and non-renewable energy
In a nutshell
Non-renewable energy resources cannot be replenished whereas renewable energy resources can. Fossil fuels is the biggest energy resource but they are non-renewable and contribute to global warming. This means we have to become more reliant on renewable energy resources such as solar and wind energy.
Definitions
Key word | Definition |
| Carbon neutral | Equal amount of carbon that is getting emitted is also getting absorbed |
| Global warming | An increase in the temperature of Earth's atmosphere |
| Greenhouse gases | Gases which absorb and reflect energy in the atmosphere, causing global warming in the similar way to a greenhouse |
| Pollution | Substances released into the atmosphere which are harmful |
Non-renewable energy resources
There is only a finite amount of non-renewable energy resources. Non-renewable means that they cannot be replenished, so (at some point) will run out. Most of our energy comes from fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels
The main sources of non-renewable energy resources are fossil fuels (coal, natural gas and oil). Fossil fuels take millions of years to form from dead organisms, and we have used them far quicker than the Earth is able to make them.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Reliable as there is currently enough to meet energy demand | Releases carbon dioxide when burnt into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming |
| Running costs of mining fossil fuels are (relatively) cheap | Sulphur dioxide is produced when coal and oil are burnt, which causes acid rain and damages plant life and habitats |
| Get a lot of chemical energy per kg of fossil fuel (which leads to a further reduced cost) | Oil spillages can have detrimental impacts on sea life |
Nuclear energy
Using radioactive materials such as uranium and plutonium, nuclear energy is also used to generate electricity. There is a limited amount of uranium and plutonium, so one day nuclear energy will also run out.
However, of nuclear fuel has times the amount of energy compared to of fossil fuel. Nuclear energy also does not produce harmful greenhouse gases. However the radioactive waste produced is very difficult to get rid of and can be very harmful to humans (and the environment) for millions of years.
Generating electricity using non-renewable resources
Non-renewable resources are burnt in order to create electricity. Fossil fuels transfer their chemical energy into thermal energy. Nuclear fuels transfer nuclear energy into thermal energy.
Power plant procedure
Below is a diagram of a power plant and the procedure for how they work.
| 1. | Water from a reservoir or water tower is sent to be heated |
| 2. | Fossil fuels are burnt to heat water into steam |
| 3. | Steam turns a turbine |
| 4. | The turbine turns a generator |
| 5. | Generator converts kinetic energy into electrical energy |
| 6. | Electrical energy is put into the national grid |
| 7. | The steam from the turbine is cooled in a water tower |
Renewable energy resources
Renewable energy resources do not run out. This means that as we use renewables, they can be replaced.
Most energy comes from fossil fuels. However countries around the world are trying to become more reliant on renewable energy, as fossil fuels deplete and global warming worsens.
Solar cells
Solar cells convert radiation from the Sun into electric currents. Examples of solar cells in every day uses are calculators. You can also see them on the roof of houses and 'solar farms' which are fields of solar cells.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
| After manufacturing, no pollution produced | Whilst manufacturing solar cells, greenhouse gases are produced |
| Very reliable source of energy in sunny places | In cloudier countries, like the UK, not always a very reliable source of energy especially in the winter |
| Once installed, little running costs | Very expensive to initially manufacture and install solar cells |
| | Solar cells are not very effective at nighttime due to the lack of sunlight |
Wind power
Wind turbines use kinetic energy to turn a generator that produces electricity. Wind turbines are found in remote places (for example hills or off the coast in the sea) in order to be exposed to as much wind as possible.
Advantage | Disadvantages |
| After manufacturing, no pollution produced | Some pollution produced when manufacturing and installing |
| No fuel costs are needed | Need lots of wind turbines to produce the same amount of electricity as a coal-fired factory which can be an eye sore |
| | They can be very loud |
| | Wind turbines won't produce electricity if there is no wind, and will also stop working if it is too windy |
Bio-fuels
Bio-fuels are made from plant products or animal poop and have a chemical energy store. Just like fossil fuels, they are burnt in order to generate electricity.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
| They are carbon neutral when plants are grown at the same rate they are being burnt | Growing food for bio fuel has taken over space used for farming and growing food to eat |
| Crops only take a short amount of time to grow | Need water for bio-fuel to be sustainable, which takes water away from other crops and animals |
| Bio-fuels can be stored to be used at a later to point to keep up with demand | Habitats are being destroyed in order to make room for bio-fuel farms |
Other non-renewable resources
There are many other non-renewable resources such as tidal, geothermal and hydro-electric. None of these produce greenhouse gases when up and running.
However they can only work in certain locations. For example, tidal energy needs to be built in the sea or a river and geothermal needs a volcano (none of those in the UK!).
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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Is nuclear energy renewable or non-renewable?
Nuclear energy is non-renewable as there is only a finite amount of uranium and plutonium. However, nuclear energy will last a very long time because only a very small amount is needed and it does not produce greenhouse gases.
What are some examples of renewable energy?
Examples of renewable energy are solar energy, wind power, bio-fuel and hydro-electric.
What are the three fossil fuels?
The three fossil fuels are coal, natural gas and oil.
What does renewable mean?
Renewable means that it can be replaced as it is being used.
What does non-renewable mean?
Non-renewable means that there is only a finite amount and cannot be replenished.