Renewable and Non Renewable Energy

There are mainly two types of energy

1. Renewable Energy

2. Non Renewable Energy

1. Renewable Energy

It includes solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biomass etc. These are also called clean energy. The renewable energy resources are displacing fossil fuels in the power sector also offering the benefits of low carbon emissions and other types of pollution.

The renewable energy comes from natural sources that can be replenished. For example sun and wind keep shining and blowing, even if their availability depends on time and weather. 

Renewable energy is even thought of the new technology, harnessing nature's power has long been used for heating, transportation, lighting and more. Wind energy is made when wind moves the blade on a wind tarbine. This movement creates wind energy which which is converted into electricity. The sun is providing light and warmth which can be converted into solar energy. 

Types of Renewable energy

A) Solar energy

Sun is a powerful source which provide energy every time to the earth. Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the sun harnessed using solar phtovoltaic cell.

B) Wind energy

Winds are generated by the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the Earth’s surface and rotation of the earth. 

The electrical energy that is obtained by the harnessing the wind with wind turbines is called wind energy.

The wind tarbine converts the kinetic energy into mechanical power.

C) Hydropower Energy

Hydropower is the energy derived from the falling or flowing water.

The pressure of the flowing water on tarbine blades rotates shaft and drives the electrical generator, converting the motion into electrical energy.

D) Geothermal energy

Geothermal energy is the thermal energy generated and stored in the earth.

The geothermal energy of the Earth’s crust originated from the decay of the radioactive minerals (80%) and original formation of the planet (20%).

2. Non Renewable Energy

It is also called dirty energy. It includes fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. Non renewable energy resources are only available in limited amount and can  not be replenished or renewed in a man's lifespan but these can be replenished in millions of years. The nonrenewable energy sources are also typically found in some specific part of the world. The use of these sources creating pollution in the environment which is danger for living organisms. 

When coal, gas and oil are burnt to produce energy they emit green house gases which increasing temperature as well as polluting the environment. 

Scientists say this increase in temperature would threaten life on the planet in myriad of ways including shartage of water, melting of ice, increase in sea level, heat waves, more pollution also coral bleeching.

Types of Non renewable energy

A) Coal

Coal is the product of decay and decomposition of vegetation due to burial under the surface of the in millions of year ago.

It is the primary resource of energy.

At the power plant coal is burned in boilor to produce steam. The steam is passed though tarbine which generates electricity.

B) Oil

Liquid petroleum is the only non renewable resource in fluid form. It is mainly used to run motors and vehicles.

C)Natural gas 

Natural gas is a fossil fuel formed when layers of buried plants and animals are exposed to intense heat and pressure over millions of years.

It is mainly composed of methane but also etane, propane, butane.

D)Nuclear energy

It is the use of exothermic nuclear processes to generate heat and electricity which are produced by the nuclear fission, nuclear fusion and nuclear decay.

Differences between Renewable and Non renewable energy