Energy and Water Resources » Types of energy resources (renewable vs non-renewable)

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

The difference between renewable and non-renewable energy resources
Key types of non-renewable energy resources and their impacts
Various renewable energy technologies and their advantages
Global patterns of energy consumption and production
Environmental and social impacts of different energy resources
Case studies of energy resource management

Energy Resources: Renewable vs Non-renewable

Energy powers our modern world - from lighting our homes to fuelling transport and powering industries. But not all energy resources are the same. Some can be used over and over again, while others will eventually run out.

Key Definitions:

Energy resource: A natural resource that can be converted into usable energy.
Non-renewable energy: Energy resources that cannot be replaced once used up (or take millions of years to form).
Renewable energy: Energy resources that can be naturally replenished within a human lifespan.

🔥 Non-renewable Energy

These are finite resources that will eventually run out. They typically release carbon dioxide when burned, contributing to climate change.

Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)
Nuclear fuels (uranium)

♻ Renewable Energy

These resources are naturally replenished and generally have lower environmental impacts. They produce little to no greenhouse gases during operation.

Solar, wind, hydroelectric
Geothermal, biomass, tidal

Non-renewable Energy Resources

Non-renewable energy resources currently provide about 80% of the world's energy. Let's explore the main types:

Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. Heat and pressure transformed these remains into the carbon-rich fuels we use today.

⚫ Coal

Formation: Compressed plant matter from ancient swamps

Uses: Electricity generation, steel production

Issues: Highest carbon emissions, mining impacts, air pollution

💧 Oil

Formation: Marine organisms compressed under heat and pressure

Uses: Transport fuels, plastics, chemicals

Issues: Oil spills, price volatility, geopolitical tensions

💥 Natural Gas

Formation: Similar to oil but remains in gaseous state

Uses: Heating, electricity, cooking

Issues: Methane leaks, fracking concerns, still produces CO₂

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is generated through nuclear fission - splitting uranium atoms to release heat, which produces steam to drive turbines. While it doesn't produce carbon emissions during operation, it creates radioactive waste that remains dangerous for thousands of years.

Case Study Focus: Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster

In 1986, a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine exploded, releasing radioactive material across Europe. The area around the plant remains uninhabitable today. This disaster highlights the potential risks of nuclear energy, though modern plants have significantly improved safety features.

Renewable Energy Resources

Renewable energy comes from sources that naturally replenish themselves. These technologies are becoming increasingly important as we try to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change.

☀ Solar Energy

Source: Energy from the sun

Technology: Photovoltaic panels or solar thermal systems

Advantages: No emissions, decreasing costs, works anywhere with sunlight

Limitations: Weather dependent, requires space, storage challenges

🌬 Wind Energy

Source: Kinetic energy from moving air

Technology: Wind turbines (onshore and offshore)

Advantages: No emissions, established technology, works day and night

Limitations: Intermittent, visual impact, noise concerns

💦 Hydroelectric Power

Source: Energy from flowing water

Technology: Dams, run-of-river systems

Advantages: Reliable, long-lasting, can store energy

Limitations: Environmental impacts, limited suitable sites, high initial cost

Other Renewable Energy Sources

🌊 Tidal and Wave Energy

These harness energy from ocean movements. Tidal energy uses the rise and fall of tides, while wave energy captures the motion of waves. Both are predictable but currently expensive to develop.

🌍 Geothermal Energy

Uses heat from within the Earth to generate electricity or provide direct heating. It's reliable and constant but only viable in certain geological locations like Iceland, New Zealand and parts of the USA.

🌾 Biomass Energy

Biomass uses organic materials like wood, crop waste, or specially grown energy crops to produce heat or electricity. It's considered renewable because plants can be regrown, but it does release carbon when burned. However, this carbon was recently absorbed from the atmosphere by the plants, making it potentially carbon-neutral if managed sustainably.

Global Energy Patterns and Challenges

Energy use varies dramatically around the world. High-income countries (HICs) typically use much more energy per person than low-income countries (LICs). As countries develop, their energy consumption tends to increase.

Case Study Focus: Morocco's Noor Solar Plant

Morocco has built one of the world's largest concentrated solar power plants in the Sahara Desert. The Noor Complex can generate electricity for over one million people and has helped Morocco reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels. The project shows how developing countries can leapfrog directly to renewable technologies.

Energy Security and Sustainability

Countries face several key challenges regarding energy:

Energy security: Ensuring reliable access to affordable energy
Environmental sustainability: Reducing pollution and carbon emissions
Energy access: About 770 million people globally still lack electricity
Economic considerations: Balancing cost with environmental impacts

The Energy Transition

The world is gradually shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy - a process called the energy transition. This shift is driven by:

Falling costs of renewable technologies
Growing concerns about climate change
Government policies and international agreements
Technological innovations in energy storage and smart grids

💡 Advantages of Renewables

Unlimited supply (won't run out)
Generally lower environmental impacts
Can improve energy security
Create new jobs and industries
Costs continue to fall

⚠ Challenges for Renewables

Intermittency (sun doesn't always shine, wind doesn't always blow)
Storage technologies still developing
Initial installation costs can be high
May require grid upgrades
Some resources limited to specific locations

Making Sustainable Energy Choices

When evaluating energy resources, we need to consider multiple factors:

Environmental impacts: Carbon emissions, pollution, habitat disruption
Economic factors: Cost, job creation, economic development
Social considerations: Health impacts, community benefits, energy access
Practical aspects: Reliability, availability, technological maturity

There's no perfect energy source - each has advantages and disadvantages. The most sustainable approach is usually a mix of different renewable sources, combined with energy efficiency measures and smart grid technologies to balance supply and demand.

Exam Tip!

For your iGCSE Geography exam, be prepared to compare different energy resources and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. Remember to consider environmental, economic and social factors. Case studies are particularly valuable - try to learn specific examples of both renewable and non-renewable energy projects from different parts of the world.