The energy available for our consumption out there in the world can be divided into two main categories as renewable energy and non-renewable energy.
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What is non renewable energy
The non renewable resources definition or as youngsters would say non renewable resources def is the supply of renewable energy that is available unlimited for our consumption. However, the amount of energy available for our consumption from non-renewable energy sources is limited. Think of it this way, if an energy source does not replenish itself, such as Solar energy then it is classed as a nonrenewable resource.
However, the amount of energy available for our consumption from non-renewable energy sources is limited. That’s why we should always think about making the shift from non-renewable sources of energy to renewable sources of energy.
Let’s first have a look at the non-renewable resources list so that we know what they are before we delve a little deeper into them individually.
Examples of Non Renewable Resources
Here is a list of 10 examples of non-renewable energy resources available out there in the world.
- Fossil fuels
- Crude Oil
- Coal
- Uranium
- Natural Gas
- Tar Sand
- Steel
- Phosphate
- Aluminum
- Ground Water
Now let’s have a look at each of these examples of non renewable energy in little more detail.
- Fossil fuels
Why are fossil fuels considered nonrenewable resources. Fossil fuels are the energy generated out of organic matter, which is trapped in between the sediment layers of the earth. These organic matter has been there for millions of years.
As a result, they are compressed and decomposed along with time to give life to the fossil fuel deposits. These deposits are highly combustible. As a result, it is an excellent energy source available out there to consider.
However, it is quite difficult to obtain fossil fuels. In fact, they are retrieved from mining or drilling.
2. Crude oil
Is oil a renewable resource? Crude oil can be considered as the non-renewable source of energy, which develops in between the Earth crust’s layers. Crude oil is available in the liquid form. It is possible to extract crude oil by drilling into the ocean floor or the ground.
Then pumps are installed, which drain out the liquid. This liquid is then used to give life to many different products, which act as sources of energy. Some of the most popular products out of them include diesel, petrol and jet fuel.
3. Coal is renewable or nonrenewable
Is coal renewable or one of the nonrenewable energy sources? Coal can be considered one of the most prominent non-renewable sources of energy available out there in the world. It is created through the compression of organic matter. Coal is solid as a rock. It can be obtained through mining methods.
China is the biggest coal supplier to the world. In fact, they have been working as the biggest coal supplier for three consecutive decades.
4. Uranium
Uranium can be considered as a naturally occurring element. It can be found within the core of the earth. The uranium deposits are available in small quantities.
The miners are gathering, refining and purifying uranium. After gathering uranium, it is being put together to form rods. These uranium rods are submerged within water tanks. After reaching the critical mass, uranium will be subjected to a breakdown process, where energy is released.
More Examples of Non Renewable Resources
5. Natural gas
Is natural gas renewable or nonrenewable. Natural gas is another nonrenewable source of energy that is created within the earth’s crust. It is quite similar to crude oil. Natural gas is also pumped out through drilling methods.
Ethane and methane can be considered as the most popular forms of natural gas available out there. These gases are widely used for home heating purposes. For example, many people tend to use natural gases for the gas ovens.
6. Tar sand
Tar sand is coming out from the sedimentary rocks. Even though this is a non-renewable source of energy, it is available in plentiful. As per the current calculations, tar sand supply is available to cater the requirements that would arise for the next 15 years.
However, you should also keep in mind that extracting tar sand is quite a labor intensive process.
7. Steel
Is metal a renewable or nonrenewable. Steel can also be considered as one of the most durable forms of renewable energy sources available out there to consider. Steel is made out from the elements that are extracted from the iron cores. However, the supply of iron is limited and it makes steel a non-renewable source of energy available out there in the world.
8. Phosphate
Phosphate is a natural source of energy available out there to consider. However, phosphate is also being produced in small quantities. Therefore, you can go ahead and add that into the list of non-renewable sources of energy.
9. Aluminum
Most of the people believe that aluminum is not a source of energy, but it is not. Aluminum s widely being used out there in the world. It plays a major role in the construction industry.
For example, aluminum is widely being used for the construction of vehicles. Even aircrafts are made out of aluminum. However, the supply of aluminum is limited.
10. Groundwater
Last but not least, you can go ahead and add groundwater to the sources of non-renewable energy. People in today’s world tend to use groundwater for most of their activities.
They include many day to day activities as well. In fact, it is essential for their survival as well. However, ground water available for the consumption of human beings is limited. Due to the same reason, it is called as a non-renewable source of energy as well.
As you can see, these energy sources cannot be made from any practical method, within a short period of time. Currently, these energy sources are widely available.
However, it is important for you to go ahead and start consuming them responsibly. That’s because we don’t have any practical method to make those energy sources after we consume all what’s available.
On the other hand, it is better if we can look for the alternatives available for these energy sources and switch to them as well. Then we will not have to worry too much about our consumption or limiting the consumption.
What are the advantages of fossil fuels
Fossil fuels are easily located all around the world and we are already mining them now on a huge scale. With the ever increasing advances in technology the more reserves will be found and mined. Fracking or hydraulic fracturing is one new form of extracting natural gas. Once we have these fossil fuels like coal and gas out of the ground they will generate energy reasonably cheaply.
What are the disadvantages of fossil fuels
Once we start burning fossil fuel for energy or heat carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere causing pollution which then in turn has an effect on global warming.
We transport Oil either by road, pipelines or by sea, so if an oil spillage occurs it is extremely costly to clean up and has a long lasting effect on the environment too. Crude oil contains toxic chemicals which cause air pollutants when combusted.
Natural gas also produces large amounts of carbon dioxide when burnt and is therefore considered a greenhouse gas; it also has an unpleasant odour. For natural gas to be transported it first needs to be liquefied which gets expensive especially for transporting internationally.
Is oil a renewable energy resource?
Nonrenewable energy sources include coal, natural gas, oil, and nuclear power. These resources cannot be replaced after they have been exhausted, which is a serious issue for humanity because they now provide the majority of our energy needs.
Is oil a renewable or nonrenewable resource?
Oil is a nonrenewable energy source. It is the most widely used transportation fuel in the planet. Oil is typically discovered in underground deposits, although it may also be found in shale and tar sands.
Oil refineries take crude oil and refine it into fuel oil, gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas, and other non-fuel products such as pesticides, fertilisers, pharmaceuticals, and polymers. Humans rely on oil and other fossil fuels because they are both energy-dense and affordable to process. They are a limited resource since they do not renew at the same rate as they are consumed.
Is Oil a Renewable Resources
Is oil a renewable resource? This is a question that has been debated for many years. Some people believe that oil is a renewable resource, while others believe that it is not.
So, what is the truth? Is oil a renewable resource or not?
The answer to this question is not as simple as yes or no. While it is true that oil is a finite resource, meaning it will eventually run out, it can be replenished through natural processes. This means that, while oil is not an unlimited resource, it can be considered a renewable resource.
However, the rate at which oil is being used currently far exceeds the rate at which it can be replenished. This means that, at our current rate of use, oil will become a non-renewable resource in the near future.
Is coal a renewable or non-renewable source of energy?
Coal is a flammable black or brownish-black sedimentary rock with a high carbon and hydrocarbon content. Because coal takes millions of years to produce, it is categorised as a nonrenewable energy source. Coal is made up of the energy stored by plants that thrived in marshy forests hundreds of millions of years ago. Over millions of years, layers of soil and rock buried the vegetation. As a result of the pressure and heat, the plants were transformed into coal.
What Is An Example of a Renewable Resource
There are many examples of renewable resources, but one of the most common is solar power. Solar energy is captured by photovoltaic cells and turned into electricity. This process doesn’t produce harmful emissions, making it a clean source of energy.
Other examples of renewable resources include wind power, hydroelectricity, and geothermal energy. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of wind into electricity, while hydroelectric dams trap water in reservoirs and release it to spin turbines. Geothermal plants tap into the heat generated by the Earth’s mantle to produce steam that turns turbines.
All of these renewable resources have one thing in common: they provide a sustainable source of energy that can be used to power homes and businesses without damaging the environment.
Non Renewable Resources Facts
As we know fossil fuels are finite resources, so do they have any advantages? Well Yes, because they are so abundant in supply and found all around the world they are extremely easy to locate and extract.
Once we have extracted these non renewable natural resources from the Earth, either by process of mining or drilling they are relatively easy to transport using conventional means.
Extracting a non renewable resource creates jobs in numerous areas of the non renewable energy industry from the extraction process, transportation of fuels and the refinement plants that process crude oil.
The creation of all these jobs has a massive economic benefit to Governments and their Countries, plus they can also sell the raw product itself to generate money.
Fossil fuels are still very popular today due to their high calorific values when burnt, a calorific value of a fuel is the amount of energy produced by a unit mass of the fuel on its combustion guaranteeing a reliable energy source.
We hope that you found this article; Examples of Non Renewable Resources helpful, make sure to check out some more of my energy articles or read my comprehensive article Renewable Energy vs Fossil Fuels
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