Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable energy resources.

Renewable Energy Resources

• Definition: Renewable energy resources are those that are naturally replenished on a human timescale. This includes energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal.
• Characteristics:
  • Sustainable: Renewable energy resources are sustainable because they are constantly being replenished. This means that they can be used indefinitely without running out.
  • Clean: Renewable energy resources do not produce greenhouse gases or other pollutants. This makes them a clean and environmentally friendly option for electricity generation.
  • Variable: Renewable energy resources are variable, meaning that they are not always available. For example, solar energy is only available during the day, and wind energy is only available when the wind is blowing.
• Examples:
  • Solar energy: Solar energy is the energy that comes from the sun. It can be converted into electricity using solar panels.
  • Wind energy: Wind energy is the energy that comes from the wind. It can be converted into electricity using wind turbines.
  • Hydropower: Hydropower is the energy that comes from moving water. It can be converted into electricity using hydroelectric dams.
  • Geothermal energy: Geothermal energy is the energy that comes from the heat of the Earth's core. It can be converted into electricity using geothermal power plants.

Non-Renewable Energy Resources

• Definition: Non-renewable energy resources are those that are not naturally replenished on a human timescale. This includes energy sources such as fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and nuclear energy.
• Characteristics:
  • Finite: Non-renewable energy resources are finite, meaning that they will eventually run out. This is because they are formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals that have been buried and converted to fossil fuels over millions of years.
  • Polluting: Non-renewable energy resources produce greenhouse gases and other pollutants when they are burned. This makes them a major contributor to climate change and air pollution.
  • Reliable: Non-renewable energy resources are reliable, meaning that they are always available. This is because they can be stored and transported easily.
• Examples:
  • Fossil fuels: Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals that have been buried and converted to coal, oil, and natural gas over millions of years.
  • Nuclear energy: Nuclear energy is the energy that comes from the splitting of atoms. It can be converted into electricity using nuclear power plants.

Comparison of Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Resources

Feature	Renewable Energy Resources	Non-Renewable Energy Resources
Sustainability	Sustainable	Finite
Cleanliness	Clean	Polluting
Variability	Variable	Reliable
Examples	Solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, geothermal energy	Fossil fuels, nuclear energy

Conclusion

Renewable energy resources are a sustainable, clean, and variable source of energy. Non-renewable energy resources are a finite, polluting, and reliable source of energy. The world is increasingly turning to renewable energy resources to meet its energy needs, as they offer a number of advantages over non-renewable energy resources.