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Non-renewable energy is the kind of energy that comes from non-renewable resources that will eventually run out and cannot be replenished. There are two major types of energy: Renewable and Non-renewable Energy.
- Renewable energy is the kind of energy that comes from renewable resources that are naturally replenished at a higher rate than they consume.
- They are also known as Conventional Sources of Energy.
- Some examples of renewable resources are wind, sunlight, geothermal heat, and the movement of water.
- Non-renewable sources are replenished at a rate much lower than their consumption, so it is likely to run out with time.
- Non-renewable energy sources are fossil fuels: coal, natural gas, and petroleum.
- The main element in fossil fuels is Carbon. This is why the Carboniferous Period is named after the time period when fossil fuels formed (about 360-300 million years ago).
- They are also known as Non-Conventional Sources of Energy.
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Key Terms: Renewable sources, Non- renewable sources, fossil fuels, Renewable and Non-renewable energy, Natural gas, Nuclear energy.
Non-renewable Energy Resources
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The non-renewable energy resources are mainly fossil fuel deposits found in the crust of the earth. They are also known as conventional sources of energy. The most commonly known fossil fuels are coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Humans extract them from their deposits in solid, liquid, or gaseous states and convert them to usable forms of energy.
- These non-renewable energy sources are formed in a process of prolonging heating and compression of carbon-rich materials.
- Millions of years ago the earth’s landscape was much different from now. Plants, algae, or microorganisms like plankton grew in the wetland environment and created energy through photosynthesis.
- They drifted to the bottom of the sea when died. Over time those organisms were crushed by the seabed and rock and silt were deposited on them.
- Thus, prolonged heating and compression started. The dead organisms eventually turned into fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
- It took millions of years to form coal or crude oil or natural gas.
- Today, there are numerous pockets or deposits of these fossil fuels, often known as ‘reservoirs’.
- They serve as the primary source of energy in the world and are of high commercial value.
Nuclear Energy
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Nuclear energy is also considered non-renewable energy as it is of limited supply. The main source of nuclear energy is Uranium plutonium. The nuclear fission chain reaction is used to harness the energy present in the nucleus of an atom. A nuclear reactor is used for the controlled chain reaction of radioactive elements. A massive amount of energy results in such reactions.
- Nuclear energy uses nuclear reactions to produce energy.
- It is the energy in the nucleus of an atom There are multiple nuclear reactions that can be used to obtain nuclear energy.
- Nuclear fission, nuclear decay, and nuclear fusion are some of them.
- At present nuclear fission of radioactive elements such as Uranium and Plutonium is used to produce energy.
- Nuclear reactors are used to produce energy where a controlled fission chain reaction of Uranium takes place.
- The heat generated by such a reaction is used to make steam which in turn spins a turbine to produce electricity.
- Unlike fossil fuel here no carbon dioxide formation takes place.
- The reaction uses the famous formula of E=mc2, given by none other than Albert Einstein where E = Energy, m = mass, and c = speed of light. The resulting energy is massive.
Types of Non-renewable Energy
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The four major types of Non-renewable energy resources are:
- Coal
- Natural gas
- Oil
- Nuclear energy
Coal, oil, and Natural gas are known as Fossil fuels.
Fossil Fuels
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Natural resources such as coal, Oil, and natural gas are considered fossil fuels and take many years to form naturally and cannot be replaced as fast as they are being consumed. The main element in fossil fuels is Carbon. Fossil fuel is divided into three categories stated below:
| Natural Gas | Coal | Oil |
|---|---|---|
| It is a type of petroleum that occurs in association with cruise oil and is used for electricity generation, heating, cooking, and as fuel for vehicles. | It occurs through the decomposition of trees, plants, and ferns which are hardened as a result of pressure and heat. | Smaller organisms like zooplankton and algae are decomposed into oil due to excessive pressure. |
Nuclear Fuels
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The application of nuclear technology depends on fission and requires naturally occurring radioactive material in the form of fuel.
- Uranium is the most common fission fuel which is present in the ground at relatively low concentrations and mined in around 19 countries.
- Uranium is used as fuel in energy-generating nuclear reactors with fissionable uranium-235 which generates heat. This generated heat is used in power turbines to generate electricity.
- About 6% of the world’s energy is generated by nuclear power and 13–14% of the world’s electricity.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-renewable Energy
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There has been a long-running debate over the advantages and disadvantages of non-renewable energy usage. They are easily available and commercially viable but they have their disadvantages as well which may ruin the world if not checked on time. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of non-renewable energy-
Advantages of Non-renewable Energy
- Non-renewable energy is tended to provide more energy than its counterpart which is renewable energy. This feature makes it more commercially viable and lucrative.
- They generate huge revenues every year. For example, oil-rich countries are some of the richest in the whole world.
- These energy sources are easy to access, making them cost-effective.
- Due to its availability, it is affordable.
- They are easy to store.
- Most of the technologies we have are compatible with fossil fuels.
Disadvantages of Non-renewable Energy
- Non-renewable energy sources especially fossil fuels are carbon-rich substances that produce CO2, CO, and other greenhouse gases upon consumption. They are responsible for ozone depletion and are a major factor in global warming and climate change.
- Most of the non-renewable sources create smog or photochemical smog. Modern cities are the main victims of such smog. Cities like Beijing, New York, and New Delhi are facing dreadful situations because of smog.
- The oxides present such as SO2, NO2, NO, etc. react with the water vapor present in the atmosphere causing acid rain. Acid rain is not only harmful to human beings and wildlife but also to buildings etc.
- Although nuclear energy does not cause a rise in greenhouse gas levels since radioactive substances are used. However, dire consequences can result from the nuclear waste leak or faulty disposal strategy. They also may contaminate the groundwater and soil and create devastating effects on the environment which may linger for hundreds of years.
- As the non-renewable sources take millions of years to form, they would take millions of years to replenish as well. As a result, they are vanishing quite rapidly.
- The mines or the reservoirs wherefrom they are extracted are immensely unhealthy. The workers working in such places are subjected to a high degree of harmful substances every minute causing their health to suffer. There are chances of their exploitation as well.
- To keep the power stations running a huge amount of fossil fuel is needed to be in reserve. This can be expensive and space-consuming.
- The transportation of the crudes is risky. There are plenty of instances when the crude oil spills in the ocean have damaged local ecology completely.
Global Impacts of Non-renewable Energy
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As mentioned above non-renewable energy sources are harmful to the environment. Fossil fuels are associated with global warming and climate change.
- Besides, nuclear fuels can be toxic because of their radioactive nature and can be destructive if not handled carefully.
- Fossil fuels are at the center of the world economy and politics.
- The demand and supply of these control most of the economies worldwide making some of the oil-rich countries affluent and some of the oil-deficit countries depend on them.
Future of the Non-renewable Energy
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Almost 85% of the energy used in the world today is non-renewable energy. However, oil, coal, and natural gases are expected to be depleted within decades.
- It leaves us with the choice of raising our dependency on renewable forms of energy such as solar energy, rain energy, tides, or geothermal energy.
- Having said that the non-renewables are not going to go away anytime soon.
- The use of coal is expected to be decreased through the use of nuclear power is likely to be the second most used energy in the future, and renewable energy is the first.
Things to Remember
- The non-renewable energy resources are mainly fossil fuel deposits found in the earth’s crust.
- The most commonly known fossil fuels are coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
- Humans extract them from their deposits in solid, liquid, or gaseous states and convert them to usable forms of energy.
- Non-renewable energy is tended to provide more energy than its counterpart which is renewable energy. This feature makes it more commercially viable and lucrative.
- Most of the non-renewable sources create smog or photochemical smog. Modern cities are the main victims of such smog. Cities like Beijing, New York, and New Delhi are facing dreadful situations because of smog.
- Almost 85% of the energy used in the world today is non-renewable energy.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is Non-renewable energy? State some instances of non-renewable energies. (2 marks)
Ans. The nonrenewable energy sources are those which come from non-renewable sources. They cannot be replenished in a faster manner. As a result, they are likely to run out in the near future.
Some examples of Non-renewable energy resources are coal, crude oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy.
Ques. How do the nonrenewable energy sources differ from the renewable source of energy? (2 marks)
Ans. By definition, the non-renewables such as oil, gas, coal, and nuclear energy will not be replenished and will deplete over time. Hence, they are in limited supply. On the other hand, renewable energy is of infinite supply as the natural phenomena like solar power, rain, tide, or geothermal heat.
Ques. State two advantages and two disadvantages of nonrenewable fuels. (3 marks)
Ans. Advantages:
- They are easy to extract and more affordable
- They tend to provide more energy in comparison with renewable energy.
Disadvantages:
- They can be extremely harmful to the environment as they create different greenhouse gases during combustion.
- The transportation of crude resources is risky. Oil spills have been known to damage the marine environment more than anything else.
Ques. What are cryogenic fuels? State some examples of it. (2 marks)
Ans. Cryogenic fuels are those fuels that require extremely low temperatures to store.
Example- natural gas, liquid hydrogen, and liquid oxygen.
Ques. How many nuclear power reactors are there in India? (1 mark)
Ans. India has 22 nuclear power reactors installed in 7 nuclear power plants. Those power plants are Kaiga, Tarapur, Rawatbhata, Narora, Kalpakkam, Kakrapar, and Kudankulam.
Ques. Where was the first oil well drilled in Asia? (1 mark)
Ans. It was Assam in India where the first oil well was drilled for the first time in Asia. The oil deposit is present in Assam-Arakan Basin at Digboi.
Ques. State the disadvantages of non-renewable energy. (3 marks)
Ans. The disadvantages of non-renewable energy are:
- Non-renewable energy sources especially fossil fuels are carbon-rich substances that produce CO2, CO, and other greenhouse gases upon consumption. They are responsible for ozone depletion and are a major factor in global warming and climate change.
- Most of the non-renewable sources create smog or photochemical smog. Modern cities are the main victims of such smog. Cities like Beijing, New York, and New Delhi are facing dreadful situations because of smog.
- The oxides present such as SO2, NO2, NO, etc. react with the water vapor present in the atmosphere causing acid rain. Acid rain is not only harmful to human beings and wildlife but also to buildings etc.
- Although nuclear energy does not cause a rise in greenhouse gas levels since radioactive substances are used. However, dire consequences can result from the nuclear waste leak or faulty disposal strategy. They also may contaminate the groundwater and soil and create devastating effects on the environment which may linger for hundreds of years.
Ques. What is the global impact of non-renewable energy? (2 marks)
Ans. Non-renewable energy sources are harmful to the environment. Fossil fuels are associated with global warming and climate change. Besides, nuclear fuels can be toxic because of their radioactive nature and can be destructive if not handled carefully. Fossil fuels are at the center of the world economy and politics. The demand and supply of these control most of the economies worldwide making some of the oil-rich countries affluent and some of the oil-deficit countries depend on them.
Ques. Differentiate between non-renewable and renewable sources of energy. Also, give an example of each of these sources. (3 marks)
Ans. The difference between non-renewable and renewable sources of energy are as follows:
| Renewable sources | Non-renewable sources |
|---|---|
| They are continuously supplied by nature and are inexhaustible. | They do not renew or regenerate and are exhaustible. |
| Low cost of operation. | High cost of operation. |
| They produce little or no pollutants and have therefore minimum impact on the environment. Example: solar and wind energy. | They produce a lot of pollutants. Example: Coal, petroleum. |
Ques. Aditya suggests his family install a solar water heater at their residence. But some of the family members were in favor of installing an electric geyser. Ultimately the family got a water heater installed.
(a) According to you which was correct? Give two reasons in support of your answer.
(b) Mention two possible changes in the thinking of the family members because of the arguments Given by Aditya. (5 marks)
Ans. (a) The decision of installing the solar water heater was correct. This is due to the facts that:
- Their system uses solar energy which is a renewable source of energy and freedom.
- Also, it will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels by improving our energy security and reducing the country’s import bill for fuel.
(b) Two possible changes in the thinking of the family members because of the arguments given by Aditya are:
- We should conserve non-renewable fuels for our use as a renewable source of energy is not easily available.
- Solar water heating is a good investment and cost-effective as well. It is one of the safe and efficient ways to get hot water free of cost.
Ques. Ramesh is a student in class 10. He organized many activities in his school to convey to the students about the various advantages and disadvantages of using renewable and non-renewable sources of energy. Many students of the school took part where they concluded about the best choices of energy sources on this basis.
Answer the following questions:
(i) What are the activities that Ramesh might have had assigned for the students?
(ii) Name any two renewable sources of energy.
(iii) What are the two values that are reflected in Ramesh’s thoughts and actions? (5 marks)
Ans. (i) The activities that Ramesh have had assigned for the students can be:
(a) Hands-on projects that are related to renewable and non-renewable sources of energy.
(b) Photograph exhibitions on the topic such as “use of fossil fuel and its impact on the environment.”
(c) Essay writing competition on the topic “renewable energy technology that could potentially be used for the community.”
(d) Group discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of using renewable and non-renewable sources of energy in order to select the best source of energy.
(ii) Solar energy, hydro energy.
(iii) The two values that are reflected through Ramesh’s thought: A higher degree of general awareness of proper usage of a renewable source of energy.
Ramesh’s action: Concern for the community’s advantage and good management.
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