ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF RENEWABLE AND NONRENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Nonrenewable Energy Sources

Type of fuel 1.Coal (fossil fuel) Where it is from Advantages Disadvantages When burned coal gives off atmospheric pollutants, including greenhouse gases. Formed from Ready-made fossilized plants fuel. and consisting It is relatively of carbon with cheap to mine various organic and to convert and some into energy inorganic Coal supplies compounds. will last longer Mined from than oil or gas. seams of coal, found sandwiched between layers of rock in the earth. Burnt to provide heat or electricity.

Type of fuel 2. Oil (fossil fuel)

Where it is from A carbon-based liquid formed from fossilized 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.

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Disadvantages

Oil is a ready When burned, it made fuel. gives off Relatively cheap atmospheric to extract and to pollutants, convert into including energy. greenhouse gases. Only a limited supply.

Type of fuel 3. Natural gas (fossil fuel)

Where it is from

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Methane and Gas is a When burned, some other ready-made it gives off gases trapped fuel. atmospheric between It is a relatively pollutants, seams of rock cheap form of including under the energy. greenhouse earth's It's a slightly gases. surface. cleaner fuel Only limited supply of gas. Pipes are sunk than coal and oil. into the ground to release the gas. Often used in houses for heating and cooking.

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Where it is from

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4. Nuclear

Radioactive minerals such as uranium are mined.

A small amount of radioactive material produces a lot of energy. Raw materials are Electricity is relatively cheap generated from the and can last quite energy that is a long time. released when the It doesn't give off atoms of these atmospheric minerals are split pollutants. (by nuclear fission) in nuclear reactors.

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. The worst nuclear reactor accident was at Chernobyl, Ukraine in 1986.

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Where it is from

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5. Biomass

Biomass energy is It is a cheap and generated from readily available decaying plant or source of animal waste. energy. It can also be an If the crops are organic material replaced, which is burned to biomass can be provide energy, eg a long-term, heat, or electricity. An example of sustainable biomass energy is energy source 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.

. When burned,

it gives off atmospheric pollutants, including greenhouse gases. If crops are not replanted, biomass is a non-renewable resource.

Type of fuel

Where it is from

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6. Wood

Obtained from falling trees, burned to generate heat and light.

A cheap and When burned it readily available gives off source of atmospheric energy. pollutants, If the trees are including replaced, wood greenhouse burning can be a gases. long-term, If trees are not sustainable replanted wood energy source. is a nonrenewable resource.

Renewable Energy Sources

Type of fuel Where it is from Advantages Disadvantages

1.Solar

Energy from sunlight is captured in solar panels and converted into electricity.

Potentially infinite energy supply. Single dwellings can have own electricity supply.

Manufacture and implementation of solar panels can be costly.

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Where it is from

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2.Wind

Wind turbines Can be found (modern singularly, but windmills) turn usually many wind energy into together in wind electricity. farms. Potentially infinite energy supply.

Manufacture and implementation of wind farms can be costly. Some local people object to on-shore wind farms, arguing that it spoils the countryside.

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Where it is from

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3.Tidal

The movement Ideal for an of tides drives island such as turbines. the UK. A tidal barrage Potential to (a kind of dam) generate a lot of is built across energy. estuaries, forcing Tidal barrage water through can double as a gaps. bridge, and help In future prevent flooding. underwater turbines may be possible out at sea and without dams.

Construction of barrage is very costly. Only a few estuaries are suitable. Opposed by some environmental groups as having a negative impact on wildlife. May reduce tidal flow and impede flow of sewage out to sea.

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Where it is from

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4. Wave

The movement Ideal for an Construction can of seawater in island country. be costly. and out of a More likely to be May be opposed cavity on the small local by local or shore operations, environmental compresses rather than done groups. trapped air, on a national driving a turbine. scale.

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Where it is from

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5. Geothermal

In volcanic regions it is possible to use the natural heat of the earth. Cold water is pumped under ground and comes out as steam. Steam can be used for heating or to power turbines creating electricity.

Potentially infinite energy supply. Used successfully in some countries, such as New Zealand and Iceland.

Can be expensive to set up and only works in areas of volcanic activity. Geothermal and volcanic activity might calm down, leaving power stations redundant. Dangerous elements found underground must be disposed of carefully.

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6. Hydrological or Hydroelectric Power (HEP)

Energy Creates water harnessed from reserves as well the movement of as energy water through supplies. rivers, lakes and dams.

Costly to build. Can cause the flooding of surrounding communities and landscapes. Dams have major ecological impacts on local hydrology.

Type of fuel

Where it is from

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6. Hydrological or Hydroelectric Power (HEP)

Energy Creates water harnessed from reserves as well the movement of as energy water through supplies. rivers, lakes and dams.

Costly to build. Can cause the flooding of surrounding communities and landscapes. Dams have major ecological impacts on local hydrology.

Type of fuel

Where it is from

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Disadvantages

7. Biomass

Biomass energy is It is a cheap and generated from readily available decaying plant or source of animal waste. energy. It can also be an If the crops are organic material replaced, which is burned to biomass can be provide energy, eg a long-term, heat, or electricity. An example of sustainable biomass energy is energy source 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.

. When burned,

it gives off atmospheric pollutants, including greenhouse gases. If crops are replanted, biomass is a renewable resource.

Type of fuel 8. Wood

Where it is from

Advantages

Disadvantages

Obtained from falling trees, burned to generate heat and light.

A cheap and When burned it readily available gives off source of atmospheric energy. pollutants, If the trees are including replaced, wood greenhouse burning can be a gases. long-term, If trees are sustainable replanted wood energy source. is a renewable resource.