11.2 Non-Renewable Energy Sources Learning Goals: Learn about the variety of non-renewable technologies used to generate electrical energy Explore the effect energy production has on the environment and society

Non-Renewable Sources Non-Renewable Energy Source: energy source that cannot be renewed because it takes millions of years to renew naturally Thermal Generation: generating electricity by heating water to produce high-pressure steam that powers a turbine connected to a generator that produces electricity

Types of Thermal Generation 1.Burning Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources Fossil fuels were formed from the remains of microbes, plants and animals that lived millions of years ago Coal, oil and natural gas provide more than half of the world’s supply of electrical energy

Advantages and Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels AdvantagesDisadvantages Much less expensive than other sourcesNon-Renewable Releases greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide) into the air that contribute to climate change Obtaining fossil fuels disturbs and destroys habitats Burning fossil fuels cause pollution such as smog and acid rain Uses large volumes of water to cool and condense steam which causes thermal pollution

2. Nuclear Energy: Uranium metal is mined from the ground is a non-renewable source When the uranium nucleus is broken apart, it releases a huge quantity of nuclear energy This type of reaction is called nuclear fission A small pellet of uranium (about the size of your fingertip) produces as much energy as burning 570 L of oil! Types of Thermal Generation

Coal Power PlantNuclear Power Plant

Advantages and Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy AdvantagesDisadvantages Does not cause air pollution directlyNon-renewable energy source Does not emit greenhouse gases directlyProduces dangerous radioactive wastes Mining uranium results in air, water and land pollution Plants are expensive to build and maintain Uses large volumes of water to cool and condense steam which causes thermal pollution Risk of serious accidents due to human error, equipment failure of earthquakes

Radioactive Waste Step 1: Radioactive waste from a nuclear reactor is stored underwater in canisters at the reactor site for more than 10 years Step 2: it is stored in dry storage behind concrete 1 m thick. Step 3: after 60 years the canisters can be moved to long-term storage, but the waste is still unsafe The waste will remain radioactive and unsafe for tens of thousands of years

Homework Page 427 #1-4 Nuclear Energy video: Climate Change video: Eye of Nye Nuclear Energy Eye of Nye Climate Change