Non-Renewable Energy | Sources, Advantages, Disadvantages

What is non-renewable energy?

Non-renewable energy is a type of energy whose sources can not be replenished in our lifetime (or in many lifetimes).

All fossil fuels are non-renewable, but not all non-renewable energy sources are fossil fuels

Coal, crude oil, and natural gas are all considered fossil fuels because they were formed from the buried remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago.

Uranium ore, a solid, is mined and converted to a fuel used at nuclear power plants. Uranium is not a fossil fuel, but it is classified as a non-renewable fuel.

Non-renewable energy sources

• Biomass Energy
• Nuclear Energy
• Natural Gas
• Petroleum
• Coal

Advantages of non-renewable energy

• It is easy to store
• It is easily accessible
• It is more compatible
• It is affordable
• It is present in fair quantity
• It can be efficiently converted to the type of energy required
• It is easy to transport
• A power plant which runs on non-renewable source of energy can be located anywhere as long as fuel is available
• They are available throughout the year unlike solar energy or water energy
• They have high energy density

Disadvantages of non-renewable energy

• It produces greenhouse gases
• Its by products cause damage to the environment
• Once exhausted they are not easily replenished
• Rising cost
• Its residual products are generally non-biodegradable
• Its products pose potential threat to human health
• Responsible for acid rain

Harmful Effects of Non-Renewable energy on the Environment

• Green-house gas emissions
• Air pollution
• Acid rain
• Water pollution
• Soil pollution
• Non-biodegradable waste generation
• Oil spills
• Depletion of ozone layer

Is nuclear energy renewable?

It is a matter of debate due to unavailability of exact definition of renewable energy. Some consider it as renewable energy while other consider it as non-renewable energy.

Also read:

Advantages of Geothermal energy

Working of windmill

Sources:

Fossil fuel and non-renewable energy: https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/?page=nonrenewable_home