Energy, Renewable, and Non-Renewable Energy

Scientists define energy as the ability to do work. Modern civilization is possible because people
have learned how to change energy from one form to another and then use it to do work. Energy
is one of the major inputs for the economic development of any country. In the case of
developing countries, the energy sector assumes a critical importance given the ever-increasing
energy needs requiring huge investments to meet them.
 Energy can be classified into two types:
   1. Renewable energy
2. Non-Renewable energy
1. Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate
than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources that are constantly
being replenished. Renewable energy sources are plentiful and all around us. Fossil fuels - coal,
oil, and gas - on the other hand, are non-renewable resources that take hundreds of millions of
years to form. Fossil fuels, when burned to produce energy, cause harmful greenhouse gas
emissions, such as carbon dioxide. Generating renewable energy creates far lower emissions than
burning fossil fuels. Transitioning from fossil fuels, which currently account for the lion’s share
of emissions, to renewable energy is key to addressing the climate crisis. Renewables are now
cheaper in most countries and generate three times more jobs than fossil fuels. Renewable energy
uses energy sources that are continually replenished by nature—the sun, the wind, water, the
Earth’s heat, and plants. Renewable energy technologies turn these fuels into usable forms of
energy—most often electricity, but also heat, chemicals, or mechanical power
Common sources of renewable energy:
SOLAR ENERGY
Solar energy is the most abundant of all energy resources and can even be harnessed in cloudy
weather. The rate at which solar energy is intercepted by the Earth is about 10,000 times
greater than the rate at which humankind consumes energy.
WIND ENERGY
Wind energy harnesses the kinetic energy of moving air by using large wind turbines located on
land (onshore) or in sea- or freshwater (offshore). Wind energy has been used for millennia, but
onshore and offshore wind energy technologies have evolved over the last few years to maximize
the electricity produced - with taller turbines and larger rotor diameters. Though average wind
speeds vary considerably by location, the world’s technical potential for wind energy exceeds
global electricity production, and ample potential exists in most regions of the world to enable
significant wind energy deployment. Many parts of the world have strong wind speeds, but the
best locations for generating wind power are sometimes remote ones. Offshore wind power
offers tremendous potential.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Geothermal energy utilizes the accessible thermal energy from the Earth’s interior. Heat is
extracted from geothermal reservoirs using wells or other means. Reservoirs that are naturally
sufficiently hot and permeable are called hydrothermal reservoirs, whereas reservoirs that are
sufficiently hot but that are improved with hydraulic stimulation are called enhanced geothermal
systems.
HYDROPOWER
Hydropower harnesses the energy of water moving from higher to lower elevations. It can be
generated from reservoirs and rivers. Reservoir hydropower plants rely on stored water in a
reservoir, while run-of-river hydropower plants harness energy from the available flow of the
river. Hydropower reservoirs often have multiple uses - providing drinking water, water for
irrigation, flood and drought control, navigation services, as well as energy supply. Hydropower
currently is the largest source of renewable energy in the electricity sector. It relies on generally
stable rainfall patterns and can be negatively impacted by climate-induced droughts or changes
to ecosystems that impact rainfall patterns.
BIOENERGY
Bioenergy is produced from a variety of organic materials, called biomass, such as wood,
charcoal, dung, and other manures for heat and power production, and crops for liquid biofuels.
Most biomass is used in rural areas for cooking, lighting, and space heating, generally by poorer
populations in developing countries. Modern biomass systems include dedicated crops or trees,
residues from agriculture and forestry, and various organic waste streams. The energy created by
burning biomass creates greenhouse gas emissions but at lower levels than burning fossil fuels
like coal, oil, or gas. However, bioenergy should only be used in limited applications, given
potential negative environmental impacts related to large-scale increases in forest and bioenergy
plantations, and resulting deforestation and land-use change.
Advantages of renewable energy
Renewable energy has multiple advantages over fossil fuels. Here are some of the top benefits of
using an alternative energy source:
 It won’t run out
 It has lower maintenance requirements
 It save money
 It has numerous environmental benefits
 It has lower reliance on foreign energy sources
 It leads to cleaner water and air
 It help creates jobs
 It can cut down on waste
Disadvantages of renewable energy
 It has high upfront costs
 It is intermittent
 It have limited storage capabilities
 It sources have geographic limitations
2. Non-Renewable energy
Non-renewable energy comes from sources that will run out or will not be replenished in our
lifetimes—or even in many, many lifetimes. Most non-renewable energy sources are fossil fuels:
coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Non-renewable energy has been the backbone of modern
industrialization and has fueled economic growth for centuries. However, the finite nature of
these resources calls for the exploration and development of sustainable alternatives, such as
renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
Types of Non-renewable Energy
Non-renewable energy primarily consists of fossil fuels and nuclear fuels. Let’s explore each of
these types in detail:
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals that underwent a process
of decomposition over millions of years. They are categorized into three main types:
Natural Gas
Natural gas is a gaseous fossil fuel composed mainly of methane. It is often found in association
with oil deposits. Natural gas is a versatile energy source used for heating, cooking, electricity
generation, and as a fuel for vehicles.
Coal
Coal is a solid fossil fuel that forms when plant material, such as trees, plants, and ferns,
undergoes decomposition under high pressure and heat over millions of years. It is primarily
used for electricity generation in power plants and is known for its significant carbon content.
Oil
Oil is a liquid fossil fuel that results from the decomposition of smaller organisms like
zooplankton and algae, which were subjected to immense pressure over time. Oil is a crucial
energy resource used in transportation, manufacturing, and producing various petrochemical
products.
Nuclear Fuels
Nuclear fuels are utilized in nuclear power plants, where energy is generated through nuclear
fission. The most commonly used nuclear fuel is uranium, found in the Earth’s crust in relatively
low concentrations. Uranium undergoes fission reactions, releasing large amounts of energy.
Understanding the significance of both fossil fuels and nuclear fuels as non-renewable energy
sources is important. While they have played a crucial role in meeting our energy demands, their
extraction, use, and environmental impact must be carefully managed.
Advantages of Non-renewable energy
 Non-renewable sources of energy, such as diesel and oil, are known for their
affordability, making them accessible to a wide range of applications.
 Non-renewable energy sources offer ease of accessibility and compatibility with existing
infrastructure.
 These energy sources are relatively easy to store, providing convenience in meeting
energy demands.
Disadvantages of Non-renewable energy
 Non-renewable energy is finite, once depleted, it cannot be replenished. 
 The by-products generated from non-renewable energy production contribute to
environmental damage and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
  The transportation, mining, and extraction activities associated with non-renewable
energy sources can result in accidents such as oil spills, nuclear meltdowns, pipeline
leaks, and explosions, causing severe harm to the environment.