Renewable versus non‑renewable energy resources
Principles of energy • National and global energy resources
Flashcards
Test your knowledge with interactive flashcards
Key concepts
What you'll likely be quizzed about
Definition: renewable energy resource
A renewable energy resource is replenished as it is used. Replenishment happens naturally at a rate that allows continued use without exhausting the resource . Renewable resources include energy from the Sun, wind, water and the Earth’s heat, which do not run out on human timescales .
Definition: non‑renewable energy resource
A non‑renewable energy resource exists in finite reserves and does not replenish on human timescales. Extraction and use reduce the available stock until depletion occurs; fossil fuels form over millions of years and behave as finite stores . Non‑renewable resources include coal, oil, natural gas and fuels used in some nuclear processes.
Cause → effect: burning fossil fuels
Burning fossil fuels releases stored chemical energy as heat and light and produces carbon dioxide as a combustion product. Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide contributes to global temperature rise and climate change. Burning coal can produce sulfur dioxide, which reacts with water to form acid rain, causing environmental damage and infrastructure corrosion .
Cause → effect: renewable resource limits
Intermittency causes variable power output: wind does not blow constantly and sunlight varies with time and weather. Variable supply causes fluctuations in generation, which requires grid balancing or energy storage to maintain reliable electricity. Location limits availability: tidal and hydro resources depend on suitable geography; geothermal resources require geothermal activity in the region .
Limiting factors for non‑renewables
Finite reserves cause supply decline and long‑term scarcity. Extraction and transport of fuels cause environmental damage and emissions. Economic factors cause price volatility and reliance on imports. Waste products such as ash, CO2 and, for some nuclear processes, radioactive waste create long‑term disposal and safety challenges .
Comparing effects and trade‑offs
Renewable resources produce low direct carbon emissions in operation but can require large initial investment and land use for infrastructure. Non‑renewables produce reliable, continuous energy but cause higher greenhouse gas emissions and eventual resource depletion. The trade‑off between supply reliability and environmental impact drives choices in energy systems and grid design .
Key notes
Important points to keep in mind