6.

2 Renewable and Non-renewable Energy Sources

A. Renewable and Non-Renewable Source of Energy
1.

Different sources of energy can be divided into two groups :Source of Energy

Non-Renewable sources

Renewable sources
Energy sources which
cannot be used up; they
are always available.
E.g.
- Solar
- Hydro
Always
- Wind
available
- Waves
- Tides
- Biomass

Energy sources which will be

used up one day.
E.g.
- Fossil Fuels

* Coal
* Natural gas
* Petroleum

- Nuclear

2. Advantages and disadvantages in using the different sources of energy.

Energy sources
Solar

Renewable Sources

Hydro

Advantages
Unlimited supply
Does not cause pollution
Water always available
Does not cause pollution

Wind

Unlimited source
Does not cause pollution

Waves

Unlimited source
Does not cause pollution
Unlimited source
Does not cause pollution
Removes waste organic matter
Low cost
Plentiful supply
Does not cause pollution

Tides
Biomass
Geothermal

Disadvantages
Dependent on weather
High cost of construction
High cost of construction
Upset the balance of nature
(destruction of habitats)
Dependent on wind speed and
direction
Cannot produce a lot of electrical
energy
High cost of construction
Speed of waves variable
High cost in building station
Suitable areas are limited
Requires a large amount of biomass
Requires a large area to work in
Areas with geothermal energy are
limited
Harmful chemicals such as boron
and sulphur dioxide present with
the steam set free
High cost of construction

Non- Renewable Sources

Fossil fuels

Nuclear

Easy to burn
Natural gas sets free a lot of
energy

Little radioactive element

needed to supply a large amount
of energy

Solar panels
- Used to operate satellites in
orbit round the Earth.

Produce acidic gases such as

sulphur dioxide
Cause acid rain and pollution
Coal especially dirties the
environment
Risk of accidents
Suitable elements difficult to
obtain
High cost of construction

Solar Heaters
- Installed on the roof of houses
/ factories to heat water for
bathing or industrial use.

The uses of
solar energy

Photosynthesis
- Green plants absorb energy through their leaves
and use it to convert water and carbon dioxide into
glucose, setting free oxygen as a byproduct.

Water + Carbon
Dioxide

Light
green leaf

glucose + oxygen

Solar cells
- Used in calculators and public
telephones in rural areas where
there is no electric supply.

B. Need to conserve and save energy

1. We must conserve and save energy so that the non-renewable energy sources will not
become depleted so quickly.
Transportation
- Walk, cycle or use public
transportation when going to
places instead of driving your
own car.
- Practice car pooling.
- Ensure cars are working
efficiently. Engines must be
properly serviced for efficient
combustion of fuel.

At home
- Switch off the lights, fans,
television,
radios
and
airconditioners when not in use.
- Use electrical appliances of
lower power if possible e.g. use a
40 W bulb instead of 100W.
Ways to
conserve
energy

In industry
- Choose processes and cost
effective methods which use less
energy.
- Recycle used things such as old
newspaper, glass, plastics and
metals. Producing new things will
use up more energy.

C. Importance of conservation of energy source.

1. Energy sources from fossil fuels and nuclear are limited and one day will be used up
therefore we must conserve these energy sources so that they can last long as possible.

a) Try not to waste energy

obtained from fossil fuels and
nuclear as they are nonrenewable

Two main
Ways of
conserving
energy sources

Look for alternative sources of

energy e.g.:
- Solar energy
- Wind energy
- Energy from tides and
waves.
- Energy from biomass
Biogas methane can replace
natural gas and petroleum
gas if it can be cheaply
produced in large quantities.

Methods of producing biogas

will help to get rid of

unwanted organic wastes in
factories, plantations and
estates.

Efficient use of Energy

1.

When a certain form of energy us being used to do work, not all that energy is
changed into useful energy. A certain part of the energy is usually wasted as
heat energy.

2. Heat energy which is generated while the work is being done is not only waste but
also a disadvantage.
3. We have to prevent loss, wastage or damage of energy sources by using efficient
equipment in order to conserve energy.
4. Efficient equipment can reduce the amount of energy used and reduce energy
wastage. It will change most of the supplied energy into the form of energy that
we want.
5. For example, fluorescent lights are more efficient that filaments bulbs.
Fluorescent light produces more light energy and produces less unwanted heat
energy. Therefore, it reduces energy wastage.
6. In the other hand, the filament bulb is not efficient. It produces less light
energy and produces more unwanted heat energy.

a) Efficiency of a filament bulb

b)

Efficiency of a fluorescent light

7. Therefore, we can conclude that fluorescent light produces more light energy
because it is more energy efficient than the filament bulb.
8. At home, in order to conserve energy, we must use cooking utensils which are good
conductors of heat. For example, aluminium and copper are used to make cooking
utensils.
9. We can also use pressure cooker to cook. Pressure cooker will help to reduce
cooking time and less energy will be used.

10. Other ways to conserve energy:

use public transport e.g buses, lrt instead of cars

car pooling will reduce energy consumption

walk or cycle for short distances