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Non-renewable Energy. Energy sources – Britain (2002). Non-renewable energy. mineral. oil. fossil fuels. gas. biomass. nuclear. fuelwood. coal. Non-renewable energy resources.
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Non-renewable energy mineral oil fossil fuels gas biomass nuclear fuelwood coal Non-renewable energy resources Non-renewable types of energy can only be used once. There is a finite amount of these materials on the Earth so they will run out eventually. Non-renewable resources make up approximately 95% of the world’s energy.
Fossil fuels Coal Oil Natural gas Oil, coal and natural gas are examples of fossil fuels. They were formed from biological deposits millions of years ago.
Fossil fuels – how much is left ? Why are these only ‘estimated’ reserves ?
Thermal power stations Over 90% of Britain’s energy comes from gas, coal and oil, thermal power stations. Look at these photographs. What impact do these thermal power stations have on the environment?
Thermal power stations electricity pylons steam from the cooling towers buildings
Match the sentences to the different types of fuel. (some statements may apply to more than one fuel) there is a danger of spillage with this fuel fuel may only last between 30-60 years power stations associated with this fuel are located near the supply of fuel power stations associated with this fuel are located on deep coastal estuaries the fuel heats water to produce steam fuel can be easily transported produces a smaller amount of greenhouse gases than the other fossil fuels when burnt fuel is bulky this fuel produces just under 50% of the electricity in the UK OIL GAS COAL
Combustion of fossil fuels How can these pollutants be reduced? fluidized bed technology (limestone is burnt with the coal so the sulphur remains with the limestone) burn coal with less sulphur gas flue desulphurization (water is sprayed down the chimneys and this turns the gases to sulphuric and nitric acids) construct taller chimneys or, we could use more nuclear or renewable energy or, we could use less energy, more efficiently.
France has 55 nuclear power stations. This one is in the Rhone Valley. Nuclear Nuclear energy is made from the mineral, uranium. These power stations are often located by the coast or on estuaries where there is water for cooling.
= uranium 25 000 tonnes of coal Nuclear 0ne tonne of uranium can produce the same amount of electricity as 25,000 tonnes of coal. What are the other advantages of nuclear power?
Nuclear disaster! On April 25th 1986 there was a major nuclear accident in Chernobyl in the Former Soviet Union. 4,000 died in radiation related diseases and thyroid cancer is up 10 fold in this Ukrainian area. Chernobyl was decommissioned in December 2000 but it will need to be contained for hundreds of years to prevent further leaks. The accident didn’t just have an impact on the local area. The cloud of radioactive gas reached Britain on May 3rd 1986 and the radioactivity was deposited by rain. One area that was particularly affected was North Wales. This area received heavy rain at the beginning of May. The government banned the slaughter of sheep within North Wales for three weeks. • How far did the radioactivity travel in the eight days? (use an atlas to help) • Why did the government ban the slaughter of sheep in North Wales?
Nuclear or fossil fuels? What about nuclear waste? Nuclear energy is the clean fuel of the future Fossil fuels cause pollution Nuclear power is too costly to be used for heating and transport Fossil fuels will run out There is worry about nuclear disasters Terminals and refineries take up space Nuclear energy will cause a loss of mining jobs Only small amounts of uranium are needed in nuclear power stations Oil and gas could be exhausted by 2040 It is very expensive to decommission old nuclear power stations There have been no serious nuclear accidents in Britain
