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examBoard: Cambridge
examType: IGCSE
lessonTitle: Non-renewable vs Renewable Resources
Energy is essential for modern life - from powering our homes and schools to fuelling transport and industry. But not all energy resources are the same. Some can be used over and over, while others will eventually run out.
Key Definitions:
These are energy sources that took millions of years to form and will eventually run out. Once we use them, they're gone for good (at least in our lifetime).
These energy sources are naturally replenished and won't run out. They're often cleaner but can have their own environmental impacts.
Non-renewable resources currently provide about 80% of the world's energy. Let's look at each type in more detail:
Fossil fuels formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. When these organisms died, they were buried under layers of rock and soil. Over time, heat and pressure transformed them into the carbon-rich fuels we use today.
Formation: Ancient plant matter compressed over millions of years
Uses: Electricity generation, steel production
Environmental impacts: High CO₂ emissions, air pollution (sulphur dioxide, particulates), mining disruption
Formation: Marine organisms compressed and heated underground
Uses: Transport fuels, plastics, chemicals
Environmental impacts: CO₂ emissions, oil spills, habitat destruction during extraction
Formation: Similar to oil but remains in gaseous state
Uses: Heating, cooking, electricity generation
Environmental impacts: Lower CO₂ than coal/oil but still significant, methane leaks, fracking concerns
Nuclear energy isn't a fossil fuel, but it's still non-renewable as it uses uranium, which exists in limited quantities.
How it works: Nuclear power plants split uranium atoms in a process called nuclear fission. This releases enormous amounts of heat, which is used to generate steam that drives turbines to produce electricity.
Environmental considerations:
Renewable energy comes from sources that naturally replenish themselves. Their use is growing rapidly as technology improves and costs fall.
Source: Sunlight
Technology: Photovoltaic (PV) panels convert sunlight directly to electricity; solar thermal systems use sun's heat
Pros: No emissions during use, falling costs, works well in sunny regions
Cons: Intermittent (doesn't work at night), requires large land area, manufacturing has some environmental impact
Source: Moving air
Technology: Wind turbines convert kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy
Pros: No emissions during use, works day and night, UK has excellent wind resources
Cons: Intermittent (depends on wind conditions), visual impact, bird/bat collisions
Source: Flowing water
Technology: Dams create reservoirs; water flows through turbines generating electricity
Pros: Reliable, can store energy by pumping water uphill, long-lasting infrastructure
Cons: Disrupts river ecosystems, displaces communities, depends on rainfall patterns
Source: Plant and animal material (wood, crops, waste)
Technology: Direct burning or conversion to biofuels
Pros: Can use waste products, potentially carbon-neutral if managed sustainably
Cons: Still produces emissions when burned, can compete with food production, deforestation concerns
Source: Ocean movements caused by moon's gravity (tides) or wind (waves)
Technology: Tidal barrages, underwater turbines, floating generators
Pros: Highly predictable (tides), enormous potential, UK has excellent resources
Cons: High construction costs, potential impact on marine ecosystems, technology still developing
When choosing energy resources for electricity generation, countries must balance several factors:
The UK has dramatically changed its electricity generation mix in recent years:
Key developments:
This transition has helped the UK reduce carbon emissions while maintaining reliable electricity supply, though challenges remain in areas like energy storage and grid management.
The world is gradually shifting from non-renewable to renewable energy resources, but progress varies by region:
Key challenges for the future:
Renewable energy is now often cheaper than fossil fuels for new electricity generation. The cost of solar PV has fallen by around 90% since 2009, while onshore wind costs have fallen by around 70%.
This economic shift, rather than just environmental concerns, is now driving much of the transition to renewable energy.
Both non-renewable and renewable energy resources have important roles in our current energy system, but the balance is shifting:
Advantages: Energy-dense, reliable, established infrastructure
Disadvantages: Will eventually run out, significant environmental impacts including climate change, often require imports
Outlook: Declining but will remain important for decades, especially in transport and industry
Advantages: Unlimited supply, generally lower environmental impact, improving economics
Disadvantages: Some are intermittent, require new infrastructure, have their own (though typically smaller) environmental impacts
Outlook: Rapid growth expected to continue, becoming the dominant electricity source in many countries
The transition from non-renewable to renewable energy resources is one of the most important environmental challenges of our time. Success will require technological innovation, policy support and changes in how we use energy in our daily lives.
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