EST: Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy refers to the energy that comes from natural and replenishing sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and biomass energy. Unlike non-renewable energy sources such as coal and oil, these energy sources can easily regenerate at the rate it is being used, and it does not deplete natural resources or produce harmful emissions. As a result, renewable energy is considered a more environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources. ​

Describe Solar Energy as a source of renewable energy.

Solar Energy: One of the most popular renewable energy sources is solar energy, which is created when sunlight is converted into electricity. Solar photovoltaic technology, also referred to as solar PV, uses semiconductor or solar PV cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity. With 3.2 million homes in Australia having this system, solar PV panels are one of the most popular household choices when installing a renewable energy system. This is because solar energy is one of the cleanest sources of energy and it is extremely effective when combined with the Australian sun.​

Describe Wind Energy as a source of renewable energy.

Wind Energy: Wind energy is produced by harnessing the wind with wind turbines to generate electricity. In Australia, wind turbines can be found in inland regions of Western Australia, South Australia and Western Victoria. These wind farms contributed 10% of electricity for Australian homes in 2020. Wind energy is a preferred renewable energy source due to it being an inexhaustible resource, non-pollutant and one of the cleanest forms of energy, however, they are a risk to some wildlife, is noisy and have an expensive upfront cost.​

What are 3 pros of renewable energy?

1. Environmental sustainability: sources are clean and do not produce harmful emissions, helping to protect the environment and human health.
2. Energy Security: reduces reliance on imported fuels, making countries more self-sufficient and less vulnerable to supply disruptions and price fluctuations.

Why are 3 cons of renewable energy?

1. Unreliable: sources such as solar and wind heavily rely on weather conditions, which means that careful grid integration and energy storage solutions are in place to ensure consistent and reliable power supply.
2. Upfront Costs: Costs can be relatively high, posing a financial challenge for implementation.
3. Land and resources requirements: Large-scale renewable energy projects need suitable land to work which makes certain sources unavailable to certain places and can cause land use conflicts or potential environmental impacts.

What are 2 pros of solar energy?

1. Environmentally-friendly: produces no GHG emissions or air pollutants.
2. Renewable and Sustainable: Uses the sun’s UV rays to produce electricity which is abundant and renewable.

What are 2 cons of solar energy?

1. Dependency on sunlight: Relies on the perfect weather conditions and so it is unreliable during cloudy days, night or in regions with limited light.
2. Land Use: Large-scale solar farms need a considerably large amount of land to produce an adequate amount of sunlight which may conflict with other land uses such as agriculture or natural habitats.

What 2 pros of wind energy?

1. Environmentally-friendly: produces no GHG emissions or air pollutants.
2. Economic benefits: Create job opportunities, stimulate local economies and provide a source of income for landowners who lease their land for wind turbine installations.

What are 2 cons of wind energy?

1. Visual and Noise Impact: Are big and generate a loud noise, this can be a problem for highly populated areas where people can be upset by its presence.
2. Bird Collisions: Can pose a risk to certain wildlife. Proper site selection, environmental studies and mitigation measures are important to minimising these impacts and protect local wildlife.

What is non-renewable energy?

Non-renewable energy refers to the energy that comes from finite resources such as nuclear energy and fossil fuels including coal, oil and natural gasses. Unlike, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, these energy sources cannot be easily regenerated as these resources form over millions of years and therefore come in a limited supply. Often the extraction of resources for non-renewable energy negatively impacts the environment including pollution of the air, water and land and is the main cause of habitat destruction. As a result, non-renewable energy is not considered environmentally friendly and is not a sustainable source of energy as it is being depleted at a much faster rate than it is being regenerated.​

Describe Fossil Fuels as a non-renewable source of energy.

Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels including coil, oil and natural gasses are considered sources of non-renewable energy. Fossil fuels are used globally to produce electricity with it contributing to 71% of Australia’s electricity in 2021. Fossil fuel power plants use the heat produced by burning fossil fuels to generate steam, which drives turbines to produce electricity.  Despite the negative impacts fossil fuels have on the environment, it is still the preferred energy source due to their low cost and it’s reliability due to it not being dependent on climatic conditions.​

Describe Nuclear Energy as a non-renewable source of energy.

Nuclear Energy: Nuclear energy comes from the energy that is stored in the nucleus of an atom. This energy is extracted in a process called nuclear fission and through a chain of chemical reactions it can produce a substantial amount of heat, which generates enough steam to drive turbines to produce electricity. In Australia, nuclear energy is banned, however, it contributed to 18% of the energy produced in the United States of America in 2022.  In spite of its great potential, nuclear energy has too many significant risks to be deemed a safe alternative for energy. ​

What are 3 pros of using non-renewable energy?

1. Energy Density: Contains a significant amount of energy per unit of fuel. Allows for efficient energy generation.
2. Reliable and Established Infrastructure: Sole-provider of energy so there is well-developed infrastructure for their extraction, distribution and utilisation.
3. On-Demand Power Generation: Can be used to generate power on demand and are not dependent on weather conditions.

What are 3 cons of using non-renewable energy?

1. Depletion: are finite resources that are being consumed at a much faster rate than they are naturally replenished.
2. Environmental Impact: Release harmful emissions into the atmosphere and mining and drilling operations can cause habitat destruction, water pollution and other ecological damage.
3. Price Volatility: Subject to geological tensions, supply disruptions and fluctuating demand.

What are 2 pros of using fossil fuels?

1. Energy reliability: Offers a stable and consistent energy supply to use whenever.
2. Economic benefits: Provides employment opportunities and contribute to economic growth, and is also relatively inexpensive compared to some renewable energy sources, making it more accessible and affordable.

What are 2 cons of using fossil fuels?

1. Health Impacts: Emits pollutants that affects human health, leading to respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues and other illnesses.
2. Geopolitical Dependency: Reliance on fossil fuels, particularly when important from other countries, can create geopolitical dependences and economic vulnerabilities, subjecting nations to price fluctuations and potential conflicts over resources.

What are 2 pros of using nuclear energy?

1. High energy density: Has an extremely high energy density, meaning a small amount of nuclear fuel can generate a large amount of energy, making it highly efficient.
2. Energy Reliability: Provides reliable and continuous power supply as nuclear plants can operate consistently without interruptions for refueling.

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What are 2 cons of using nuclear energy?

1. Nuclear Waste: Produces radioactive waste that requires careful handling, storage and disposal due to its long-term environmental and health hazards. Safe and secure management of nuclear waste is a significant challenge.
2. Safety Concerns: Nuclear accidents, although rare, have the potential for catastrophic consequences. The risks include the possibility of meltdowns, radiation leaks and the spread of radioactive materials.