Energy Sources
Electricity generation involves the transfer of energy from one form to another. The energy sources used in the generation of energy can be classified as two types.
- Non renewable energy source
- Renewable energy source
Non renewable energy sources
Non renewable energy is the name given to energy sources which once used cannot be replaced. Examples of non renewable energy resources are fossil fuels and nuclear fuels.
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas get there name because they are formed from the fossilized remains of dead plants and animals.
The generally accepted theory is that fossil fuels were formed many millions of years ago by geological processes acting on dead animals and plants (exposure to heat and pressure from the Earth’s crust).
These fuels take many millions of years to form and are currently being depleted (used up) much faster than new ones are being formed.
Nuclear Fuels
These are radioactive elements which undergo nuclear reactions (fission) in nuclear reactors generating nuclear energy which in turn is used to generate electricity.
Nuclear fuels such as Uranium or Plutonium are mined from the Earth’s crust. These are of limited supply and cannot be replaced therefore once used are gone forever.
The table below is a summary of non renewable energy resources:
Petroleum (Oil)
Petroleum is a fossil fuel formed by heat and pressure from the Earth’s crust acting on the fossilised remains of dead animals and plants. Petroleum reserves exist in the Earth’s crust sandwiched between layers of impermeable rocks and porous rocks. The petroleum is extracted from these reservoirs drilling oil wells and sinking pipes into the reservoirs to pump the petroleum out.
- Easily converted to energy.
- Relatively easy to extract.
- Can be easily transported (pipelines, super-tankers)
- Products of combustion (the gases given off when burnt) are atmospheric pollutants and greenhouse gases.
- Accidents during transport, extraction and refining cause major environmental pollution.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is a fossil fuel. Its formation is similar to that for petroleum; however the conversion of the fossilized remains of the dead plants and animals to gas occurs at deeper depths in the Earths crust where the pressure and heat is greater. Natural gas is extracted in a similar way to petroleum by drilling holes and sinking pipes into the gas reservoirs, the gas travels to its surface under its own pressure.
- Relatively easy to extract.
- Requires little processing (is extracted in a ready to use form)
- Is the cleanest of the fossil fuels.
- Produces greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants when burnt.
Coal
Coal is a fossil fuel. Coal is formed from the fossilized remains of plants that once grew on the earth. The action of the pressure and heat of the Earths crust over millions of years converts the fossilised remains of these plants into coal. Coal is mined from coal seams in the Earth’s crust. Where the coal is near the surface of the Earth, open cast mining is used but in areas where the seam is deep underground mining is used to extract the coal.
- Of all the fossil fuels coal has the largest reserves.
- It is relatively easy and inexpensive to extract.
- Open cast mining damages the landscape and ecosystems.
- The burning of coal produces gases that are atmospheric pollutant and greenhouse gases. Due to the large amount of greenhouse gases coal produces power station require expensive pollution control measures.
Nuclear
The most common form of nuclear fuel is Uranium. Uranium is a common metal found in rocks all over the world. However, the particular form of Uranium best suited as a nuclear fuel is Uranium – 235 and this is very rare. Uranium – 235 is extracted via mining and then processed to make it usable as a fuel.
- Small amounts of fuel produce a large amount of energy.
- Does not produce atmospheric pollutants and greenhouse gases.
- Produces small amounts of waste.
- Although small amounts of waste are produced, the waste is very dangerous.
- The waste needs to be disposed of carefully and responsibly.
- The risk of a nuclear accident can have catastrophic consequences as was the case of Chernobyl.
Renewable energy sources
These are energy sources that are unlimited (will never run out) and once used are rapidly replenished (continuously replaced).
Examples of renewable energy sources are wind, water, geothermal and solar.
The table below is a summary of non renewable energy resources:
Solar
This is energy from sunlight. Sunlight can be captured by solar panels and its energy transferred to electricity. Energy from the sun can also be focussed onto pipes carrying water transferring heat energy.
- Free unlimited source of energy
- No waste or greenhouse gases produced.
- Source not available at night.
- Can be an unreliable source of energy unless in a country with a hot climate.
Wind
Wind is created by the action of warm air rising and cold air blowing to fill the void created. Hence, the source is the sun as it is its energy that warms the air.
- Wind is free.
- No waste or greenhouse gases produced.
- Unpredictable source of energy.
- Wind farms can be unsightly and cause noise pollution.
Tidal
The pulling effect of the moon on the earth causes the oceans and seas to rise and fall. The movement of the rise and fall of the oceans and seas can be used to drive turbines.
- A free source of energy.
- No waste or greenhouse gases produced.
- Tides are predictable.
- Tidal barrages can affect the natural habitat of wildlife and impact the environment.
- Can only supply energy when the tide is moving in or out.
Hydro
Water stored in a large volume in a reservoir behind a dam. The potential energy of the water can be transferred to kinetic energy in the turbines.
- Once the dam is built the energy is free.
- No waste or greenhouse gases produced.
- Very reliable source of energy.
- Dams are very expensive to build.
- Dams cause flooding which seriously impact the environment and local habitats.
Waves
Waves are produced by the action of the wind on the seas and oceans.
- A free source of energy.
- No waste or greenhouse gases produced.
- Dependant on the strength of the waves.
- Needs to be capable of withstanding rough weather.
- Sites are limited to only areas where the waves are consistently strong.
Geothermal
Heat from under the earth in volcanic regions is used to heat water to produce steam for running turbines for generating electricity. In some cases it is used to heat water for heating.
- No fuel needed
- Does no contribute to greenhouse gases
- Limited sites available.
- Hazardous gases can be released from geothermal sites which require safe disposal.
Biomass
This is fuel obtained from decaying plant and animal material. Wood is one source as it can be burnt to provide heat energy. Sugar cane can be fermented to produce alcohol which can be used as a fuel.
- Is a renewable source as long as plant and trees are replaced.
- Cheap and easily available source of fuel.
- Produces greenhouse gases.