Nonrenewable Energy Resources

Essential Questions: What are the advantages and disadvantages of nonrenewable energy sources? How can my research findings be presented in a debate format?

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Define nonrenewable What does it mean if something is nonrenewable? Nonrenewable means it is not naturally renewed or replenished on a human timescale © KeslerScience.com

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Energy resources which do not naturally renew or replenish themselves Depleted by use Coal Natural Gas Oil Nuclear © KeslerScience.com

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Fossil Fuels Coal, oil, and natural gas Formed when layers of buried plant, gases, and animals are exposed to intense heat and pressure over a long period of time Currently the world’s primary energy source © KeslerScience.com

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Coal Fossilized carbon Combustible (burns) Recovered through mining Occurs in layer or veins called coal beds or coal seams Burned to produce heat or electricity © KeslerScience.com

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Coal – 4 Types Lignite – young, brownish, less value Subbituminous – black lignite Bituminous – soft, dense, black Anthracite – hard, black lustrous, best © KeslerScience.com

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Advantages No shortage any time soon Inexpensive Reduces dependence on oil. Creates jobs Disadvantages Environmental impacts (burning, by-products, acid rain, increased greenhouse gases) Mining impact on the land Impact on miner’s health COAL © KeslerScience.com

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Oil Known as petroleum or crude oil Thick black liquid Composed mostly of hydrogen and carbon (hydrocarbons) Found in specific rock reservoirs Extracted through drilling © KeslerScience.com

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Advantages Small amount produces a lot of energy Easy to transport Easy to produce Constant reliable resource for years to come Disadvantages Emits greenhouse gases Spills cause water and land pollution and death to wildlife Harmful emissions from plants can make people sick OIL © KeslerScience.com

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Natural Gas Found deep in the earth and drilled to extract Flammable, colorless, odorless Made of methane and other hydrocarbons © KeslerScience.com

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Advantages Compared to coal and oil Less damage to the environment Burns cleaner More abundant Safer Cheaper Best among fossil fuels Disadvantages Gas leaks can be dangerous. Can cause explosions Burning creates greenhouse gases. Expensive infrastructure for production and distribution NATURAL GAS © KeslerScience.com

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Fracking A technique designed to recover gas and oil from shale rock Drilling process similar to oil A high-pressure water mixture is directed into the rock to break up the cracks and release the gas and oil inside. Can be drilled horizontally or vertically © KeslerScience.com

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Advantages Can reach more oil and gas than traditional methods Makes us less dependent on foreign oil Less air pollution Creates jobs Disadvantages Keeps us from developing renewable resources Uses a lot of water in the process May pollute groundwater Noise pollution Chemicals used unknown FRACKING © KeslerScience.com

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Nuclear The energy generated during nuclear fusion, especially when used to generate electricity Fusion – two lighter nuclei fuse to form a heavier nucleus. Energy is given off. Nuclear materials – uranium and plutonium. © KeslerScience.com

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Advantages Low pollution Reliable Low cost to produce electricity Little fusion material needed to produce a lot of energy Easily transported Disadvantages Environmental impact in mining uranium High cost in securing radioactive waste Expensive to build a plant and purchase fuels Accidents at plants are costly and dangerous. NUCLEAR © KeslerScience.com

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Generating electricity from nonrenewable resources Fossil fuels are burned to induce heat. Nuclear energy is produced from fusing atom nuclei. The energy is used to heat water. The water turns to steam. The steam turns a turbine. The turbine shaft is connected to the shaft of a generator. Magnets spin within wire coils of the generator to produce electricity. oil natural gas © KeslerScience.com

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Can you… List and debate the advantages and disavantages of different types of renewable energy sources? © KeslerScience.com