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

Advantages Disadvantage•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

Advantages Disadvantages•Does not cause air pollution

•Does no emit greenhouse gases

•Non-renewable

•Mining uranium causes pollution

•Plants are expensive

•Risk of serious accidents