Non-renewable Energy Source

Non-renewable Sources Non-renewable energy source: An energy source that either cannot be renewed, or that takes millions of years to renew naturally.

Thermal Generation Using Fossil Fuels Thermal generation is a method for generating electricity in which water is heated to produce steam, which spins a turbine connected to a generator.

A common way to heat water is by burning fossil fuels. Burning coal, oil, and natural gas currently provides more than half of the world’s supply of electrical energy. Fossil fuels are non-renewable as they are formed from the remains of microbes, plants, and animals that lived millions of years ago.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels AdvantagesDisadvantage Much less expensive then other sources non-renewable releases CO2 into the air contributing to climate change. obtaining fossil fuels destroys habitats. Causes pollution including acid rain.

Thermal Generation Using Nuclear Energy: Nuclear power plants use materials such as uranium as fuel. The nucleus of a uranium atom stores a large quantity of nuclear energy. When these atoms break apart, the atoms’ nuclear energy is transformed into thermal energy. A small pellet of uranium – produces about as much energy as burning 570 L of oil.

In nuclear power plants, long metallic tubes are filled with pellets of uranium. The tubes are placed in a nuclear reactor. The energy released produces stream that turns a turbine in a generator.

Radioactive waste from a nuclear reactor is stored underwater for more than 10 years. Then it is stored in a dry storage behind concrete 1 m thick. After another 60 years, the canisters can be moved to long-term storage, but it is still unsafe. It will remain unsafe for tens of thousands of years!

Advantages/Disadvantages of Nuclear Power AdvantagesDisadvantages Does not cause air pollution Does no emit greenhouse gases Non-renewable Mining uranium causes pollution Plants are expensive Risk of serious accidents