Non-Renewable Energy: Sources And Disadvantages

Although renewable energy sources offer a variety of advantages, they also have many negatives. Here are the most important positives and negatives of energy sources that are not renewable.

What are Non-renewable Energy Sources

Energy sources that are not renewable are reserves of energy that cannot be replenished sufficiency to keep pace with the demand. The result is that reserves or energy sources will run out at a certain time. In simple terms, the non-renewable energy sources will become depleted at a certain moment, and the energy supply won’t sustain.

As per the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), “non-renewable energy sources are sources that cannot be replenished within a short period.”

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-renewable Energy?

When it comes to renewable energy sources-

There are Non-Renewable Energy Disadvantages and advantages. Let’s learn more about what these characteristics are.

Advantages of Nonrenewable Energy

Here are a few advantages of renewable energy that you should think about.

●     Less Initial Capital to Install

Because renewable power sources have been used for a long time, the energy infrastructure of most countries relies on non-renewable sources of energy. Research has shown that non-renewable fossil fuels are responsible for 66% of the world’s electricity supply.

It also indicates that it meets approximately 95% of all energy requirements. The requirements include the production of electricity, transportation, as well as heating, among others.

Thus, there are already structures to support it, and non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels are less costly. For instance, windmills, solar panels, or solar panels may require a substantial amount of capital investment initially to set up and buy new machines.

However, connecting to the in-place natural gas pipeline or electricity pipeline is more straightforward since there is no need for new equipment.

• Consistency

Non-renewable energy sources can provide a steady power supply so long as the fuel is readily available. In contrast, renewable energy sources are dependent on non-reliable sources, such as solar and wind energy.

●     Extraction and Storage

If you are looking for non-renewable energy sources, they’re fairly inexpensive to extract. They are also easy to keep, store and ship around the world.

●     Reliable and Dependable

Whatever time of day or the time of year, people can depend on these sources of energy. Additionally, during the extraction and transport of these fuels, there is the possibility of creating jobs for locals, which helps economic growth.

While some can pose serious environmental dangers, some, like natural gas, are unsafe. Natural gas emits CO2 and water vapor when it is burned and releases the same gases that we breathe out. In general, renewable energy sources have higher capacity factors, implying that they generate power close to their total capacity.

Disadvantages of Non-renewable Energy

They are among the significant disadvantages of making use of non-renewable energy.

●     Unfriendly to the Environment

Certain non-renewable energy sources, like fossil fuels, aren’t clean and green. In reality, every fossil fuel contains large amounts of carbon which is the main contributor to global warming. For instance, oil leaks do not go green since they could smother the plants in which they kill marine animals when they occur in the ocean.

Additionally, the nuclear power industry creates radioactive materials. The radioactive wastes from nuclear power plants are highly poisonous and could cause burns and increased risk of cancer, bone decay, and blood disorders when exposed to them.

Furthermore, extracting some of them, like natural gas, creates environmental hazards, like fracturing the rocks that could trigger miniature earthquakes. Natural gas extraction can also result in the contamination of reservoirs and water sources, impacting both animal and human life.

When coal is extracted from the ground, it causes underground fires. The fires could continue to burn for years. In addition, when coal is burned, it releases a variety of gas pollutants, along with pollution, which adversely affects the environment.

If coal is ignited, it releases a variety of harmful gases and pollutants into the air. Mining for coal could result in the ground sinking and produce underground fires that burn for years at a time.

●     Not replenishable

Non-renewable energy sources, including fossil fuels and nuclear sources, are not replenishable. The implications are that since the resources are finite or are not replenished quickly, they could be exhausted if we do not use them effectively and efficiently.

If the resources are depleted, they will require millions of years to develop again, in contrast to the sun, a renewable source that is always around.

●     They Are Unsustainable

The consumption rate of resources isn’t sustainable over the long term. If we do not find alternative sources of energy that can meet our daily needs and our environment, the consumption of these fuels is not sustainable.

●     Prone to Cause Accidents

Although fewer incidents are caused by nuclear power, with fossil-based fuels, disasters are bound to happen. They’re not as secure as renewable sources like solar and wind would be. For petroleum, there are a lot of fires that occur, particularly when tankers collide or there are leaks of oil.

For example, a nuclear disaster in Fukushima caused devastating consequences for both humans and the environment.

●     The Spread of Weaponisable Materials

There is a fear that some individuals could use this energy source to make weapons for nuclear power sources. There has been some lobbying from the international community to stop the creation of nuclear weapons.

●     Non-Degradable Residual Products

The fact that residue products of some non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels are not degradable indicates that they pollute the environment.

Conclusion 

Even though the world today relies heavily on non-renewable energy sources, It is clear that they could, in certain situations, create harmful impacts on our surroundings. When we look at the different advantages and disadvantages of non-renewable energy sources, it is evident to look at methods to increase the usage of renewable energy sources.