BBC - GCSE Bitesize - Energy-Renewable and Non-renewable

Over the last 200 years an ever-increasing proportion ofour energy has come from non-renewable sources such asoil and coal. While demand for energy rises theseresources are running out and scientists are exploring thepotential of renewable sources of energy for the future.

All life on earth is sustained by energy from the sun. Plants andanimals can store energy and some of this energy remains withthem when they die. It is the remains of these ancient animalsand plants that make up fossil fuels [fossil fuel: Fuels such ascoal, gas and oil which are mined from the earth and burned toproduce energy. They are formed from broken down animalsand plants that died a very long time ago. ].

Fossil fuels are non-renewable [non-renewable: A resourcethat cannot be replaced when it is used up, such as oil, naturalgas or coal. ] because they will run out one day. Burning fossilfuels generates greenhouse gases [greenhouse gas:Naturally occurring gases in the atmosphere such carbondioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. They are believed to haveincreased through burning more oil, petrol, and coal. ] andrelying on them for energy generation is unsustainable[unsustainable: Resources which cannot be used forever andcannot be replaced or recycled after they are used. The use offossil fuels is unsustainable for example. ]. Hence the need tofind more renewable, sustainable ways of generating energy.Renewable or infinite energy resources are sources of powerthat quickly replenish themselves and can be used again andagain.

Some resources can be thought of as both renewable andnon-renewable.

BBC - GCSE Bitesize - Energy http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/energy_resource...

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Coal(fossilfuel)

Oil(fossilfuel)


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Naturalgas(fossilfuel)


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Nuclear


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Estimates from international organisations suggest that if theworld's demand for energy from fossil fuels continues at thepresent rate that oil and gas reserves may run out within someof our lifetimes. Coal is expected to last longer.

Oil 50 years

Natural gas 70 years

Coal 250 years

Renewable energy sources quickly replenish themselves andcan be used again and again. For this reason they aresometimes called infinite energy resources.

Solar

Wind


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Tidal


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Wave

Geothermal


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HydrologicalorHydroelectricPower (HEP)

Biomass


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Wood


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Make sure you know what types of energy are renewable[renewable: A resource which is generated from sourceswhich are not finite or exhaustible. For example, wave power,wind power, solar power or geothermal energy are renewableenergy sources. ] and non-renewable [non-renewable: Aresource that cannot be replaced when it is used up, such asoil, natural gas or coal. ]. It is important to remember thatbiomass and wood are only renewable if the trees and cropsare replanted. Many people fall into the trap of thinking that biomeans renewable - it doesn't!

The UK government wants to reduce its carbon dioxideemissions. It also wants to increase the amount of energywhich comes from renewable sources.

By 2020 European Union targets state that 20% of energymust come from renewable sources. Each member state of theEU may have a different target, as 20% is an average figure forthe EU.

The UK has a target of 15% of its energy consumption beingsourced from renewable energy. (In 2009 only 3% of energycame from renewable sources in the UK). Sweden has a targetof nearly 50% whereas Malta has a target of 10%.

The EU also aims to reduce greenhouse gas [greenhousegas: Naturally occurring gases in the atmosphere such carbondioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. They are believed to haveincreased through burning more oil, petrol, and coal. ]emissions by 80-95% below 1990 levels by 2050.


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There are two ways the energy use can change in the UK:

The demand for energy in the UK varies. This is because of:

Regulations have forced vehicles to become more energy-efficient and give off less atmospheric pollution. Thegovernment has also continued to increase fuel and roadtaxes. Even so, the use of transport is rising so fast that theamount of CO2 given off by transport vehicles continues to rise.

There are also incentives to save energy for example grantsare available to help make a home more energy efficient. Findout more about energy efficient homes in the Waste andpollution revision bite.

UK power companies are now investing hundreds of millions ofpounds in renewable power. The greatest amount of renewableenergy in the UK comes from wind generation. In 2010 theworlds largest offshore wind farm was opened in Thanet, onthe Thames estuary.

Many wind farms have been set up,particularly in Scotland and Wales.However some plans for large windfarms have been blocked byplanners.


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Wind Turbines on OvendenMoor, West YorkshireProduction of energy from biomass

is expanding. In 2011 a newbiomass energy centre was opened in Chilton, Durham. Thesupply of energy for biomass is more predictable than otherforms of renewable energy. However people are concernedabout how sustainable the sourcing of biomass is.

Energy from wave and tidal power could be developed more.

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BBC - GCSE Bitesize - Energy-Renewable and Non-renewable