Running Head: Comparison between renewable and non-renewable sources.

UNIVERITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA

FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND LIBERAL STUDIES
SCHOOL OF TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

LECTURER: Mr. R. Taylor

NAME: Tariq Daley
ID #: 1706416
Module: Introduction to Renewable Energy
DATE: 24/09/2020

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Running Head: Comparison between renewable and non-renewable sources.

Comparison between Renewable and Non-Renewable sources

Renewable energy, also known as clean energy, comes from natural sources or cycles

of regular replenishment. Sunlight or wind, for example, continue to shine and blow, but their

availability depends on time and temperature, for instance. While renewable energy is often

considered a modern technology, the power of nature has long been harnessed for heating,

transport, lighting and more. Whereas, Non-renewable energy comes from sources that will

eventually run out, such as oil and coal. Non-renewable energy comes from sources that, for

thousands or even millions of years, will run out or won't be replenished. Most non-

renewable energy sources are fossil fuels. Fossil fuels were formed when the remains of

marine animals, under immense quantities of pressure and fire, decayed millions of years ago.

To produce energy and electricity, most fossil fuels are burned. Non-renewable energy

resources, like coal, nuclear, oil, and natural gas, are available in limited supplies. Renewable

resources are replenished naturally and over relatively short periods of time. The five major

renewable energy resources are solar, wind, water (hydro), biomass, and geothermal. For a

range of reasons, from the limited amount of fossil fuels available to their effects on the

environment, there is increased interest in using renewable forms of energy and developing

technologies to increase their efficiency. This growing industry calls for a new workforce.

The careers in both the renewable and non-renewables energy industries are growing. They

each have benefits and challenges, and relate to unique technologies. Hence, Renewable

resources can be used over and over again, as these are in abundance, whereas Non-

Renewable resources have a limited supply and once used cannot be regained.

Types of Renewable Energy Sources

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Running Head: Comparison between renewable and non-renewable sources.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun that is harnessed using a range of

ever-evolving technologies. Techniques include solar heating, photovoltaics, solar thermal

energy and molten salt power plants. Solar, or photovoltaic (PV), cells are made from silicon

or other materials that transform sunlight directly into electricity. Distributed solar systems

generate electricity locally for homes and businesses, either through rooftop panels or

community projects that power entire neighbourhoods.

Wind Energy

Wind energy (or wind power) describes the process by which wind is used to generate

electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. A

generator can convert mechanical power into electricity.

Other Alternative Renewable Energy Sources

Hydroelectric Power

Hydroelectric energy, also known as hydroelectric power or hydroelectricity, is a

source of energy that harnesses the power of moving water to produce electricity, such as

water flowing over a waterfall. For centuries, people have used this power. People in Greece

used flowing water over two thousand years ago to turn the wheel of their mill into ground

wheat into flour.

Biomass Energy

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Running Head: Comparison between renewable and non-renewable sources.

Biomass is organic material that comes from plants and animals, and includes crops,

waste wood, and trees. When biomass is burned, the chemical energy is released as heat and

can generate electricity with a steam turbine.

Geo- Thermal

Inside the earth's sub-surface, geothermal energy is heat derived. Geothermal energy

is transported to the surface of the Earth by water and/or steam. Geothermal energy may be

used for heating and cooling purposes, depending on its characteristics, or harnessed to

produce renewable electricity.

Type of Non-Renewable Energy Sources

Fossil fuels

Fossil fuels are produced from organic matter that for millions of years has been

trapped within layers of sediments within the Earth. Organic matter, usually plants, has

decomposed and compressed over time, leaving what is referred to as deposits of fossil fuel.

These deposits appear to be highly combustible, making them a strong energy source, and the

materials produced from them.

Coal

Coal is solid like rock, formed by compressed organic matter, and is obtained by

mining. China produces the most coal by far, out of all countries. In fact, for the last three

decades, it has been the largest coal producer, producing more than 3 billion tons of coal per

year. In home heating and the operation of power plants, coal is most commonly used.

Petroleum

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Running Head: Comparison between renewable and non-renewable sources.

Petroleum is a liquid fossil fuel. It is also called oil or crude oil. Crude oil is a non-

renewable resource that builds up in liquid form between the layers of the Earth's crust. It's

retrieved by drilling into the ground and ocean floor, and pumping the liquid out. The liquid

is then refined and used to create many different products.

Natural Gas

Natural gas collects below the surface of the Earth and must be drilled for and

pumped out, like crude oil. The most common kinds of gases obtained through this method

are methane and ethane. These gases, as well as gas ovens, stoves, and grills, are most widely

used in home heating. The countries with the largest reported reserves of natural gas are

Russia, Iran, and Qatar.

Other Non-renewable Energy Sources

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is usually considered another non-renewable energy source. Although

nuclear energy itself is a renewable energy source, the material used in nuclear power plants

is not. Nuclear energy is a popular way of generating electricity around the world. Nuclear

power plants do not pollute the air or emit greenhouse gases. They can be built

in rural or urban areas, and do not destroy the environment around them.

The key points of differentiation between renewable and non-renewable resources are the

quantity at which they are used and the depletion rate, the expense, and the environmental

impact.

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Running Head: Comparison between renewable and non-renewable sources.

Reference

Aust, A. (2014). Non-renewable and renewable energy resources. KQED. Retrieved

from, https://www.kqed.org/quest/45692/century-old-battle-over-yosemites-second-valley-

heats-up

Non-renewable energy. National Geographic. Retrieved from,

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/non-renewable-energy/

Renewable Energy: The clean facts. NRDC. Retrieved from,

https://www.nrdc.org/stories/renewable-energy-clean-facts