Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Sources

Definitions Energy—the ability to do work, or the cause of all activity Energy source—something that can be tapped to provide heat, chemical, mechanical, nuclear, or radiant energy

Current Energy Sources biomass (plant matter) nuclear coal oil geothermal solar hydro (rivers) wave or tidal natural gas wind

Renewable Energy sources that are replaced by natural processes at a rate comparable to their use

Nonrenewable Energy sources that are limited and can eventually run out; these sources of energy cannot be replaced on a timespan of human significance

Which sources are renewable and which are nonrenewable? biomass (plant matter) nuclear coal oil geothermal solar hydro (rivers) wave or tidal natural gas wind

Answers: Renewable Nonrenewable biomass (plant matter) -nuclear Geothermal -coal Solar -oil Wind -natural gas hydro (rivers) wave or tidal

Additional Information The major categories of renewable energy sources are solar, wind, hydro, and biomass (plant matter). Worldwide, wood is the largest source of biomass for nonfood energy, but other sources are also used, including municipal wastes and crop wastes. Crops such as sugar cane are used to make alcohol for transportation fuel. In many developing countries, wood is the most important energy source. Global resources of geothermal energy (the heat contained below Earth’s surface) are so immense that they are usually considered to be renewable. But this classification is not strictly correct, since the heat stored in any given volume of rock or underground water is depletable. In addition, the most easily accessed geothermal resources—natural hot springs and geysers—will not last for more than a few decades if exploited for energy on a large scale.

Additional Information Continued Estimates vary widely as to how long fossil fuels—oil, coal, and natural gas—will last. These estimates depend on assumptions about how much fossil fuel remains in the ground, how fast it will be used, and how much money and effort will be spent to recover it. However, most estimates agree that, if present rates of consumption continue, proven oil and natural gas reserves will run out in this century, while coal reserves will last more than 200 years. Once they are used, these energy sources cannot be replaced. Long before we actually run out of coal, oil, or gas, however, the environmental and social consequences of extracting, processing, transporting, and burning fossil fuels may become intolerable. In addition, it will not be economically viable to extract all of our fossil fuels, as renewable resources will eventually become competitive. Discuss these consequences. In contrast to fossil fuels, renewable sources of energy produce little or no pollution or hazardous waste and pose few risks to public safety. Furthermore, they are an entirely domestic resource.

Current Uses YOU DO List as many current uses of renewable energy sources as you can.

YOU DO Possible Answers Answers can range from small devices like solar-powered calculators to large-scale production of electricity from hydroelectric dams to occasional uses like wood for cooking on camping trips and wind for sailboats.

Mental Field Trip Now take a mental trip into the future. It is 50 years from now. Half of all the energy we use in the United States comes from renewables: sun, wind, water, biomass, earth heat (geothermal). Think of some inventions that have made this possible. How are houses, offices, and schools heated and lighted? Where does the energy used to run factories come from? What do people use for transportation? Write down your ideas or draw pictures.

Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Research The Project! Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Research

*Include at least 2 pictures* Energy Project Come up with an energy source and include whether it is renewable or nonrenewable. List two ways we use this energy source. What percent of our current energy use is this source? List two pros and two cons for your energy source. Do you think this is a sustainable energy source based on your research? What is its role 50 years from now? Explain. *Each bullet should have a slide for a total of a five-slide PowerPoint presentation on your energy source* *Include at least 2 pictures*