Renewable and Non Renewable Energy Sources

Nonrenewable Energy Sources

   A nonrenewable energy source is a natural energy source in limited supply. While these energy sources may be plentiful, they cannot be produced at all or as quickly as they are consumed. In addition to these resources being limited, not only the burning but also the extraction of these energy sources has dire consequences to our environment.

Petroleum

   Petroleum, also known as crude oil, is a naturally occurring toxic combustible liquid primarily made up of hydrocarbons. Petroleum is the result of partial decay of living organisms occurring in the rock strata of certain geological formations.

Coal

   Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock formed from fossilized plants. Coal consists of amorphous carbon with various organic and some inorganic compounds and is normally occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds.

Natural Gas

   Natural gas is a combustible mixture of hydrocarbon gases that occurs with petroleum deposits consisting primarily of methane. It is found with other fossil fuels and in coal beds and is created by the decay of methanogenic organisms in marshes, bogs, and landfills. Lower temperatures are likely to produce more petroleum, and higher temperatures are likely to produce more natural gas.

Nuclear Power

   Nuclear power is produced by controlled nuclear fission (splitting atoms). In most cases nuclear power plants use nuclear fission reactions to heat water, using the steam to produce electricity. Uranium, specifically, uranium -235, is one of the few elements easily fissioned.

Renewable Energy Sources

Geothermal

   Geothermal energy is power extracted from heat stored under the earth’s crust. This power source is generally cost effective, usually reliable, mostly sustainable, and generally environmentally friendly. Historically, geothermal energy extraction has been limited to areas near tectonic plate boundaries. Recent advances in technology have significantly widened the range of viable resources, especially for applications such as home heating.