Renewable and Non-renewable Energy Sources
- Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy – Definition
- Understanding Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy – Explanation
- How Energy is Generated
- Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy – Comparison
- Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy – Exercises
- Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy – Summary
- Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy – Frequently Asked Questions
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Learning text on the topic Renewable and Non-renewable Energy Sources
Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy – Definition
Energy sources are either renewable or non-renewable. Renewable energy comes from sources that can be replenished, such as the sun, wind and water. Non-renewable energy comes from sources that can run out, like coal, gas and petroleum.
Renewable energy is derived from natural processes that are replenished constantly. Non-renewable energy comes from resources that are finite and will eventually deplete.
Understanding Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy – Explanation
There are various renewable energy sources:
- Solar Energy: Uses sunlight to generate electricity with solar panels.
- Wind Energy: Uses wind turbines to convert wind into electricity.
- Hydroelectric Energy: Uses flowing water to produce electricity.
- Geothermal Energy: Uses heat from the Earth to generate electricity.
Some non-renewable energy sources are:
- Coal: A fossil fuel burned in power stations to generate electricity.
- Gas: Natural gas used for heating and electricity.
- Petroleum: Used for fuel and making electricity.
- Uranium: Used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity, but produces radiation.
How Energy is Generated
Energy is generated in power stations. Power stations burn fossil fuels or use renewable sources to produce electricity. The process of generating electricity involves converting different forms of energy into electrical energy, which we can use to power our homes, schools and devices.
Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy – Comparison
Let’s look at how different energy sources work in practice.
| Energy Source | Type | Renewable/Non-Renewable | How It's Used | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar | Renewable | Renewable | Solar panels convert sunlight to electricity | Eco-friendly, abundant | Weather-dependent, high initial cost |
| Wind | Renewable | Renewable | Wind turbines convert wind to electricity | Clean, renewable | Wind-dependent, noisy |
| Hydroelectric | Renewable | Renewable | Dams use flowing water to generate power | Reliable, renewable | Expensive to build, impacts ecosystems |
| Geothermal | Renewable | Renewable | Uses Earth's heat to generate power | Sustainable, low emissions | Location-specific, high initial cost |
| Coal | Fossil Fuel | Non-Renewable | Burned to generate electricity | High energy output, established technology | Polluting, finite resource |
| Gas | Fossil Fuel | Non-Renewable | Burned for heating and electricity | Efficient, established infrastructure | Produces greenhouse gases, finite resource |
| Petroleum | Fossil Fuel | Non-Renewable | Used for fuel and electricity | High energy density, versatile | Polluting, finite resource |
| Uranium (Nuclear) | Radioactive | Non-Renewable | Nuclear fission generates electricity | High energy output, low CO2 emissions | Produces radioactive waste, high risk |
Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy – Exercises
Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy – Summary
Key Learnings from this Text:
- Renewable energy: Solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal.
- Non-renewable energy: Coal, gas, petroleum, uranium.
- Energy generation: Power stations convert various energy forms into electricity.
- Advantages and disadvantages: Renewable energy is eco-friendly but can be costly; non-renewable energy is efficient but polluting.
By understanding these concepts, you can appreciate the importance of sustainable energy and the impact of energy use on our environment.
Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy – Frequently Asked Questions
Renewable and Non-renewable Energy Sources exercise
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What is renewable energy?
HintsThe word "renewable" means it is not depleted when used.
Coal is burned to make electricity and makes smoke in the process. Smoke contains unhealthy levels of carbon dioxide.
SolutionRenewable energy does not consume non-renewable sources of energy. In renewable energy, we can use resources like water, wind, the heat of the earth, and the sun to generate electricity. Renewable energy is generally better for the environment because it does not produce carbon dioxide and other harmful gases.
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How are renewable energy sources used?
HintsWhen sunlight is used as an energy source, it does not need to be burned and does not produce more carbon dioxide or other harmful materials.
Renewable energy sources do not run out. We will not run out of energy from the wind, sun, earth, or water.
SolutionWind Power Plants -- Wind
Solar Panels -- Sun
Hydroelectric Power Plants -- Water
Geothermal Energy -- Earth
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Which sources of energy are renewable? Which are non-renewable?
HintsNon-renewable resources usually have to be mined from the earth and then burned to create energy.
Geothermal energy is produced using the heat of the earth itself to produce energy.
To help you identify each of the images seen, here is a key:
A - Uranium
B - Petroleum
C - Wind
D - Water
E - Coal
F - Natural Gas
G - Geothermal
H - Solar
There are 4 icons to assign to each category.
SolutionThe renewable sources of energy are wind, water, solar, and geothermal. None of these energy sources require the burning or mining of non-renewable resources from the earth.
The non-renewable resources are coal, natural gas, uranium, and petroleum. These sources must be mined and then burned to create energy.
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Which energy source creates radiation?
HintsWind energy is produced using windmills, not at a nuclear power plant.
Many cars are powered by a form of petroleum. Though they produce carbon dioxide and other harmful chemicals, radiation is not produced by them.
SolutionRadiation is produced when uranium is used to create energy at a nuclear power plant.
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What do power plants produce?
HintsThis type of energy is used to charge a mobile phone.
Uranium can be used to produce this type of energy at power plants.
SolutionElectrical power is produced at power plants powered by both renewable and non-renewable energy sources! These electrical plants power our homes and businesses.
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What are disadvantages of using non-renewable energy sources to produce electricity?
Hints"Non-" means "not" so "non-renewable resources" are not renewable.
Coal power plants have to burn the coal to produce energy. Burning coal produces smoke, which contains high levels of carbon dioxide.
There are five correct answers to select!
SolutionOnly two of these choices were not disadvantages to using non-renewable resources to produce electricity. They were:
Non-renewable energy power plants always require a lot of space. This is more often true of renewable energy plants like solar and wind power plants.
We will never run out of these non-renewable resources. Again, this is true of renewable energies like solar, wind, water and geothermal power.
Carbon dioxide, harm to the environment, radiation from uranium, limited amount of non-renewable resources, and controversy about buying non-renewable resources are all disadvantages when considering producing energy with non-renewable resources.
