Non-renewable Energy Resources
Non-renewable energy resources: Any energy resources that cannot be renewed or re-used are called non-renewable energy sources. Basically these are the energy sources which get or will get exhausted in future. Non-renewable energy includes energy resources derived from fossil fuels, waste products from fossil sources, or waste products from inorganic sources.
Advantages and disadvantages of Non-renewable energy resources
|
Type of fuel
|
Where it is from
|
Advantages
|
Disadvantages
|
|
Coal (fossil fuel)
|
Formed from fossilised plants and consisting of carbon with various organic and some inorganic compounds. Mined from seams of coal, found sandwiched between layers of rock in the earth. Burnt to provide heat or electricity.
|
Ready-made fuel. It is relatively cheap to mine and to convert into energy. Coal supplies will last longer than oil or gas.
|
When burned coal gives off atmospheric pollutants, including greenhouse gases.
|
|
Oil (fossil fuel)
|
A carbon-based liquid formed from fossilised animals. Lakes of oil are sandwiched between seams of rock in the earth. Pipes are sunk down to the reservoirs to pump the oil out. Widely used in industry and transport.
|
Oil is a ready-made fuel.
Relatively cheap to extract and to convert into energy.
|
When burned, it gives off atmospheric pollutants, including greenhouse gases. Only a limited supply.
|
|
Natural gas (fossil fuel)
|
Methane and some other gases trapped between seams of rock under the earth's surface. Pipes are sunk into the ground to release the gas. Often used in houses for heating and cooking.
|
Gas is a ready-made fuel. It is a relatively cheap form of energy. It's a slightly cleaner fuel than coal and oil.
|
When burned, it gives off
atmospheric pollutants, including greenhouse gases. Only limited supply of gas.
|
|
Nuclear |
Radioactive minerals such as uranium are mined. Electricity is generated from the energy that is released when the atoms of these minerals are split (by nuclear fission) in nuclear reactors. |
A small amount of radioactive material produces a lot of energy. Raw materials are relatively cheap and can last quite a long time. It doesn't give off atmospheric pollutants. |
Nuclear reactors are expensive to run. Nuclear waste is highly toxic, and needs to be safely stored for hundreds or thousands of years (storage is extremely expensive). Leakage of nuclear materials can have a devastating impact on people and the environment. |
|
Biomass |
Biomass energy is generated from decaying plant or animal waste. It can also be an organic material which is burned to provide energy, eg heat, or electricity. An example of biomass energy is oilseed rape (yellow flowers you see in the UK in summer), which produces oil. After treatment with chemicals it can be used as a fuel in diesel engines. |
It is a cheap and readily available source of energy.
If the crops are replaced, biomass can be a long-term, sustainable energy source.
|
When burned, it gives off atmospheric pollutants, including greenhouse gases. If crops are not replanted, biomass is a non-renewable resource. |
|
Wood |
Obtained from felling trees, burned to generate heat and light. |
A cheap and readily available source of energy. If the trees are replaced, wood burning can be a long-term, sustainable energy source. |
When burned it gives off atmospheric pollutants, including greenhouse gases. If trees are not replanted wood is a non-renewable resource. |
How long will fossil fuels last ?
Estimates from international organizations suggest that if the world's demand for energy from fossil fuels continues at the present rate that oil and gas reserves may run out within some of our lifetimes. Coal is expected to last longer.
|
Fossil Fuel
|
Oil
|
Natural Gas
|
Coal
|
|
Time Left
|
53 yrs
|
54 yrs
|
110 yrs
|
Table: Estimated length of time left for fossil Fuels