Resource Provision » Energy Types - Renewable and Non-renewable

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

The difference between renewable and non-renewable energy resources
Major types of renewable energy and how they work
Major types of non-renewable energy and their impacts
Advantages and disadvantages of different energy sources
Global patterns of energy production and consumption
Case studies of energy resource management

Introduction to Energy Resources

Energy is essential for modern life - we use it to power our homes, transport, industries and technologies. As global demand for energy continues to rise, understanding different energy resources and their impacts becomes increasingly important.

Key Definitions:

Energy resource: A natural resource that can be converted into usable energy.
Renewable energy: Energy from sources that naturally replenish and won't run out in our lifetime.
Non-renewable energy: Energy from finite resources that will eventually be depleted.
Carbon footprint: The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of human activities.

🌞 Renewable Energy

Energy sources that naturally replenish and are considered inexhaustible on a human timescale. These include solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal and biomass energy.

🔥 Non-renewable Energy

Energy sources that exist in limited quantities and take millions of years to form. Once used, they cannot be replaced within a human lifetime. These include fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and nuclear fuels.

Renewable Energy Resources

Renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important as we try to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. Let's explore the main types:

Solar Energy

Solar energy harnesses the power of the sun to generate electricity or heat. It's one of the fastest-growing renewable energy sources globally.

💡 Solar Photovoltaic (PV)

Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials. They can be installed on rooftops or in large solar farms.

Advantages: No emissions during operation, low maintenance costs, works anywhere with sunlight.

Disadvantages: Weather dependent, requires large areas for commercial production, initial installation costs can be high.

☀ Solar Thermal

Uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight to heat water or other fluids, which then generate steam to drive turbines.

Advantages: Can store heat for use when the sun isn't shining, good for large-scale electricity generation.

Disadvantages: Requires direct sunlight and large land areas, high water usage in some systems.

Wind Energy

Wind energy converts the kinetic energy of moving air into electricity using wind turbines. Wind farms can be built on land or offshore.

Advantages: No pollution during operation, relatively low cost per unit of electricity, creates jobs in rural areas.

Disadvantages: Intermittent and unpredictable, visual impact on landscapes, potential impact on wildlife, especially birds.

Hydroelectric Power

Hydroelectric power generates electricity by using flowing water to spin turbines. It's one of the oldest and largest sources of renewable energy.

Advantages: Very reliable, can store energy by pumping water uphill, low operating costs once built.

Disadvantages: High initial construction costs, environmental impacts on river ecosystems, displacement of communities when building large dams.

Case Study Focus: Three Gorges Dam, China

The world's largest hydroelectric power station, completed in 2012. It generates about 22,500 MW of electricity, enough to supply 10% of China's electricity. However, its construction displaced 1.3 million people and flooded archaeological and cultural sites. It also disrupted local ecosystems and may have increased the risk of landslides.

Other Renewable Sources

🌍 Geothermal

Uses heat from within the Earth to generate electricity or provide direct heating. Most viable in areas with volcanic activity.

🌱 Biomass

Organic material from plants and animals burned to produce heat or converted into biofuels. Carbon neutral if new plants are grown to replace those used.

🌊 Tidal/Wave

Harnesses the energy of ocean tides and waves. Predictable but currently expensive and limited to suitable coastal locations.

Non-renewable Energy Resources

Non-renewable energy sources currently provide about 80% of the world's energy. They're reliable and energy-dense but have significant environmental impacts.

Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. They release carbon dioxide when burned, contributing to climate change.

⚫ Coal

Solid fossil fuel used primarily for electricity generation. Abundant but produces the most CO₂ per unit of energy.

🛢 Oil

Liquid fossil fuel used mainly for transport and industry. Easily transported but prices can be volatile.

💥 Natural Gas

Gaseous fossil fuel used for electricity, heating and cooking. Cleanest fossil fuel but still produces CO₂.

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy uses uranium to generate heat through nuclear fission. This heat produces steam to drive turbines and generate electricity.

Advantages: Low carbon emissions during operation, high energy output, reliable base load power.

Disadvantages: High construction costs, safety concerns, radioactive waste disposal issues, uranium is a finite resource.

Case Study Focus: Fukushima Nuclear Disaster, Japan

In 2011, an earthquake and tsunami damaged the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, causing a major nuclear accident. Radiation was released and over 150,000 people were evacuated. The disaster highlighted the potential risks of nuclear energy and led many countries to reconsider their nuclear energy policies.

Global Energy Patterns

Energy consumption and production vary greatly around the world, reflecting differences in development, resources and policy choices.

🌎 High-Income Countries (HICs)

Typically have high energy consumption per person. Many are transitioning towards renewable energy but still rely heavily on fossil fuels. Some, like France, depend significantly on nuclear power.

🌏 Low-Income Countries (LICs)

Often have lower energy consumption per person and may rely on traditional biomass (wood, animal dung) for cooking and heating. Many are now investing in renewable energy, sometimes leapfrogging fossil fuel dependency.

The Future of Energy

The global energy landscape is changing rapidly as countries seek to reduce carbon emissions while meeting growing energy demands. Key trends include:

Rapid growth in renewable energy capacity, especially solar and wind
Improvements in energy storage technologies to address intermittency issues
Increasing electrification of transport and heating
Development of smart grids to better manage electricity distribution
Energy efficiency improvements to reduce overall consumption

Case Study Focus: Denmark's Renewable Energy Transition

Denmark aims to be fossil fuel-free by 2050. Already, wind power provides over 40% of Denmark's electricity. The country has invested heavily in offshore wind farms and district heating systems. Danish companies like Vestas have become world leaders in wind turbine technology. The transition has created thousands of jobs and reduced Denmark's carbon emissions significantly.

Sustainable Energy Management

Managing energy resources sustainably involves balancing environmental, economic and social considerations. Strategies include:

Diversification: Using a mix of energy sources to increase resilience
Decentralisation: Producing energy closer to where it's used
Demand management: Reducing peak demand through smart technologies
Energy efficiency: Using less energy to provide the same services
Just transition: Ensuring that shifts to new energy systems don't leave communities behind

As you continue your geography studies, remember that energy resource management is not just a technical issue but also involves important social, economic and political decisions that will shape our future world.

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