It is energy from fossil fuels (coal, crude oil, natural gas) and uranium. Fossil fuels are mainly made up of Carbon. It is believed that fossil fuels were formed over million years ago.
Advantages: There is a higher demand and it cost less.
Drawbacks: When fossil fuels are burned, it producing pollution and they are limited.
Not all non-renewable energy comes from fossil fuels. There is also uranium.
In this photo we can see how the fossil fuel is formed:
Coal is a combustible black sedimentary rock composed mostly of carbon and hydrocarbons. Coal is made of the remains plants of millions of years ago, for a process called carbonization.
- Coal is ranked very high if it has undergone a longer carbonization period (for example: Anthracite).
- Coal that has not undergone too much carbonization is ranked low (for example: Peat).
Using coal to produce energy causes many some problems, usually on a greater scale than the use of oil or gas. These problems include acid rain, sulfur oxide emission, carbon dioxide emission, poorer land, hazardous waste and others.
In this photo we can see how the coal is converted into electricity:
Crude oil is a black liquid found in underground areas called reservoirs. They are composed mainly of hydrocarbons and organic compounds.
Crude oil can exists either deep down in the earth's surface or deep below the ocean beds.
In oil drilling, a structure called 'derrick' is built with pipes going down to the reservoir and bringing the oil to the surface.
Because crude oil is liquid in nature, spills from offshore drills and fuel tankers harm the environment a lot, especially marine life.
In this photo we can see the structure that is used to extract petroleum:
Natural Gas is colorless, shapeless, and odorless in its pure form.
It's called "Clean gas" because pollute less than other fossil fuels.
It is one of the gases that are formed by the same formation of fossil fuels.
The main component in natural gas is methane, composed of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms.
Gas is extracted by drilling wells deep into the ground.
Natural gas comes in two main types:
- The first is found in permeable sandstone reservoirs.
- The second, are found in other places such as in coal deposits.
In recent time, shale gas has become very popular in the USA and is mainly drilled by a process called Hydraulic Fracturing (fracking).
It's called "Clean gas" because pollute less than other fossil fuels.
It is one of the gases that are formed by the same formation of fossil fuels.
The main component in natural gas is methane, composed of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms.
Gas is extracted by drilling wells deep into the ground.
Natural gas comes in two main types:
- The first is found in permeable sandstone reservoirs.
- The second, are found in other places such as in coal deposits.
In recent time, shale gas has become very popular in the USA and is mainly drilled by a process called Hydraulic Fracturing (fracking).
In this photo we can see how natural gas is obtained:
Nuclear energy is energy that's obtained with the fission and the merger of an atom. There is enormous energy in the bonds that hold atoms together.
Power generated from nuclear reaction is similar to that of fossil fuels because they transform heat into steam to move turbines. A nuclear power plant uses uranium as fuel, but it isn't a fossil fuel.
CO2 emissions from nuclear fuel is very low. Nuclear power plants are very expensive to build. It also produces radio-active waste. These are usually stored underground because are very dangerous to humans and the environment.
In 2011, a tsunami struck Japan and caused problems with its nuclear power plant in Fukushima, causing high levels of pollution.
There are laws that check that countries with unclear plants comply with safety rules and also do not misuse their plants for developing nuclear weapons.
In this photo we can see a nuclear plant with a pressurized water reactor:
What is fracking?
Is the process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water, sand and chemicals mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside.
The process can create new pathways to release gas or can be used to extend existing channels.
Why is it called fracking?
It is shorthand for hydraulic fracturing and refers to how the rock is fractured apart by the high pressure mixture.
Advantages:
- The worry that potentially carcinogenic chemicals used may escape and contaminate groundwater around the fracking site. The industry suggests pollution incidents are the results of bad practice, rather than an inherently risky technique.
- There are also worries that the fracking process can cause small earth tremors. Two small earthquakes of 1.5 and 2.2 magnitude hit the Blackpool area in 2011 following fracking. For example, in Spain, there was a recent earthquake in Albacete, maybe for it.
- There are also worries that the fracking process can cause small earth tremors. Two small earthquakes of 1.5 and 2.2 magnitude hit the Blackpool area in 2011 following fracking. For example, in Spain, there was a recent earthquake in Albacete, maybe for it.
Desadvantages:
- Fracking allows drilling firms to access difficult-to-reach resources of oil and gas. In the US it has significantly boosted domestic oil production and driven down gas prices. It is estimated to have offered gas security to the US and Canada for about 100 years, and has presented an opportunity to generate electricity at half the CO2 emissions of coal.
- The industry suggests fracking of shale gas could contribute significantly to the UK's future energy needs. A report by the Energy and Climate Change Committee in April said shale gas in the UK may help to secure energy supplies, but may not bring down gas prices.
Where is fracking taking place?
Reserves of shale gas have been identified across swathes of the UK, particularly in the north of England. However no fracking is currently taking place, and drilling firms must apply for a fracking licence if they wish to do so in the future.
In this photo we can see the obtaining of fossil fuels through fracking.
