Assignment 6

 Non-Renewable Resources
A non-renewable resource is a natural substance that is not replenished with the speed at
which it is consumed. It is a finite resource.
Fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal are examples of non-renewable resources.
Humans constantly draw on the reserves of these substances while the formation of new
supplies takes eons.
 Alternative Energy Sources (Renewable resources)
A renewable resource is one that can be used repeatedly and does not run out because it is
naturally replaced. A renewable resource,
essentially, has an endless supply such as
solar energy, wind energy, and geothermal
pressure.
Other resources are considered
renewable even though some time or effort
must go into their renewal (e.g., wood,
oxygen, leather, and fish). Most precious
metals are renewable also. Although
precious metals are not naturally replaced,
they can be recycled because they are not
destroyed during their extraction and use.
 Fossil Fuels
A fossil fuel is a fuel formed by natural processes, such as anaerobic decomposition of
buried dead organisms, containing organic molecules originating in ancient photosynthesis
that release energy in combustion.
Such organisms and their resulting
fossil fuels typically have an age of
millions of years, and sometimes
more than 650 million years. Fossil
fuels contain high percentages of
carbon and include petroleum, coal,
and natural gas. Peat is also
sometimes considered a fossil fuel.
Commonly used derivatives of
fossil fuels include kerosene and
propane. Fossil fuels range from volatile materials with low carbon-to-hydrogen ratios (like
methane), to liquids (like petroleum), to non-volatile materials composed of almost pure
carbon, like anthracite coal. Methane can be found in hydrocarbon fields alone, associated
with oil, or in the form of methane clathrates.
  Nuclear Fuels
Nuclear fuel is the fuel that is used in a nuclear reactor to sustain a nuclear chain reaction.
These fuels are fissile, and the most common nuclear fuels are the radioactive metals
uranium-235 and plutonium-239. All processes involved in obtaining, refining, and using
this fuel make up a cycle known as
the nuclear fuel cycle.
Uranium-235 is used as a fuel in
different concentrations. Some
reactors, such as the CANDU
reactor, can use natural uranium
with uranium-235 concentrations of
only 0.7%, while other reactors
require the uranium to be slightly
enriched to levels of 3% to 5%.
Plutonium-239 is produced and used
in reactors (specifically fast breeder
reactors) that contain significant amounts of uranium-238. It can also be recycled and used as
a fuel in thermal reactors.
 Non-renewable resources advantages and disadvantages: -
o Advantages:
1. The main advantages of non-renewable energies is that they are abundant and affordable.
For example, oil and diesel are still good choices for powering vehicles.
2. Non-renewable energy is cost effective and easier to product and use. According to
National Geographic, there are reservoirs of non-renewable energy sources throughout the
world.
3. These resources are easy to use whether at home or anywhere else.
4. Huge profits can be generated in the mining of coal, selling of oil or the construction of
natural gas pipelines
o Disadvantages:
1. Non-renewable energy can be dangerous and can cause respiratory problems to humans
because sources like fossil fuels emit gasses such as carbo monoxide.
2. Because non-renewable energy takes billions of years in their formation, they are slowly
but gradually vanishing from the earth. Using non-renewable resources indiscriminately
without thinking for our future generations could be selfish.
3. Sometimes it may be risky as huge cargo-ships and oil-tankers, while transporting oil,
crash and the content gets spilled in the sea or elsewhere. It can be deadly for the sea animals
as well as humans who come in contact with it.
4. Sources like coal, oil and natural gas release a large amount of carbon dioxide when burnt.
As a result of these chemicals, they are rapidly destroying the ozone layer.
5. To keep the power station working, every time we need to keep a huge amount of fuel in
reserve. This can be expensive and occupy a lot of space.
 Solar Energy
Solar energy is radiant light
and heat from the Sun that is
harnessed using a range of ever-
evolving technologies such as
solar heating, photovoltaics,
solar thermal energy, solar
architecture, molten salt power
plants and artificial
photosynthesis.
It is an essential source of
renewable energy, and its
technologies are broadly
characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on how they capture and
distribute solar energy or convert it into solar power.
 Wind Energy
Wind power or wind energy is the
use of wind to provide the mechanical
power through wind turbines to turn
electric generators and traditionally to
do other work, like milling or pumping.
Wind power is a sustainable and
renewable energy and has a much
smaller impact on the environment
compared to burning fossil fuels.
Wind farms consist of many
individual wind turbines, which are
connected to the electric power transmission network. Onshore wind is an inexpensive
source of electric power, competitive with or in many places cheaper than coal or gas plants.
 Renewable resources advantages and disadvantages: -
o Advantages:
1. Renewable energy won’t run out
2. Maintenance requirements are lower
3. Renewables save money
4. Renewable energy has numerous health and environmental benefits
5. Renewables lower reliance on foreign energy sources
o Disadvantages:
1. Higher upfront cost
2. Intermittency
3. Storage capabilities
4. Geographic limitations