3. Non - Renewable Energy Sources
Non- Renewable energy sources are rare and cannot be replenished easily. This part will cover the different types of non-renewable energy,their applications and impacts on the environment.
Non renewable sources of energy are limited in supply. It is called non- renewable as its rate of replenishment is much slower than the consumption. The major non-renewable sources are fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) and nuclear energy.
Fossil fuels
Fossil fuels are formed from decomposed remains of the dead plants and animals over millions of years below the earth's surface. These include crude oil, natural gas, and coal. The world has been dependent on fossil fuels to generate electricity and power, primarily using coal and oil[8]. Oil can be converted into many products, the most commonly used one is gasoline. Natural gas is also widespread. It is widely used for powering vehicles and heating applications.
Merits:
- Easy storage and transportation.
- Relatively cheaper.
- More reliable source of energy.
Demerits:
- Fuel may run out as they are not renewable.
- Pollute the environment.
- If used irresponsibly, it may lead to serious accidents.
Major impacts of fossil fuels on the environment is summarized in the following figure-
Nuclear energy
Nuclear energy is produced from the core of the atom, i.e., nucleus. This energy is produced in two ways-
- Nuclear Fission- when nuclei of atoms split into several parts
- Nuclear Fusion- when two nuclei fuse together
Uranium is the most commonly used fuel to generate energy. Other nuclear fuels include- Thorium, Plutonium and few others. The fission or fusion process creates heat, later converted to electricity. Energy is created through a specific nuclear reaction , which is then collected and used to generate power.
Did you know?
There are 22 nuclear power plants in India which account for around 3% of the total electricity of the country.[9]
Merits:
- Reliable energy source with high energy output.
- Zero emission , so doesn’t contribute to air pollution
- Small land footprint/ less space is needed.
Demerits:
- Lack of precautions may lead to dangerous accidents.
- The nuclear waste generated, if not handled properly may cause pollution leading to serious health disorders.
- Building nuclear power plants is expensive.
Did you know?
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (Japan, 2011), Chernobyl disaster (Ukraine, 1986) and Three Mile Island accident (United States, 1979) are considered the most serious nuclear disasters till date.[10]