Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Energy

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Questions and Answers

A community is considering building a new power plant. Which of the following factors would most strongly suggest choosing a renewable energy source over a non-renewable one?

  • The desire to use established technologies with well-understood operational procedures.
  • The need to minimize upfront construction costs, regardless of future expenses.
  • The immediate availability of a large amount of power.
  • The long-term goal of reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmental sustainability. (correct)

Which statement best describes the trade-off between the reliability of energy supply and the environmental impact when comparing fossil fuels to renewable energy sources?

  • Fossil fuels are environmentally friendly and provide a consistent energy supply, unlike renewable sources that cause significant pollution but are highly reliable.
  • Both fossil fuels and renewable energy sources offer equally reliable energy supplies with similar levels of environmental impact.
  • Fossil fuels offer consistent energy output but contribute to environmental pollution, while renewable sources are less reliable due to weather dependency but have minimal environmental impact. (correct)
  • Renewable energy sources are more reliable and have a lower environmental impact compared to fossil fuels.

A country heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels decides to invest in renewable energy sources. What is the most likely primary motivation behind this decision?

  • To increase the country's dependence on foreign energy markets.
  • To deplete natural resources more quickly and boost short-term economic gains.
  • To reduce the country's energy independence and increase reliance on its own resources.
  • To enhance energy security and reduce vulnerability to global fuel price fluctuations. (correct)

A region is experiencing frequent power outages due to its reliance on a single coal-fired power plant. Which strategy would be most effective for improving the reliability of the region's energy supply while also minimizing environmental impact?

<p>Investing in a large-scale solar farm with advanced battery storage systems. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key economic challenge associated with transitioning from non-renewable to renewable energy sources?

<p>The high initial capital investment required for renewable energy infrastructure. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the disadvantage of weather dependency associated with renewable energy sources?

<p>A solar power plant generating significantly less electricity on a cloudy day. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do renewable energy sources contribute to job creation compared to non-renewable energy sources?

<p>Renewable energy industries such as solar and wind energy create jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A coastal community is evaluating its energy options. Considering the environmental impact, which of the following energy sources would be the least desirable?

<p>A new coal-fired power plant. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary environmental concerns associated with nuclear energy, a non-renewable source?

<p>The risk of nuclear accidents and the disposal of radioactive waste. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately contrasts the land use implications of renewable versus non-renewable energy sources?

<p>Large-scale renewable energy projects may require significant land areas, while non-renewable resource extraction can cause habitat destruction and landscape alteration. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Renewable Energy Resources

Energy sources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale.

Examples of Renewable Energy

Solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal energy.

Environmental benefits of Renewable Energy

Producing little to no greenhouse gas emissions, combating pollution.

Disadvantages of Renewable Energy

Expensive to set up and often weather dependent.

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Non-Renewable Energy Resources

Energy sources that exist in finite amounts and can be depleted.

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Examples of Non-Renewable Energy

Coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy.

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Reliability of Non-Renewable Energy

Can produce energy continuously, not dependent on weather.

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Environmental downsides of Non-Renewable Energy

Burning fossil fuels releases harmful gases, contributing to climate change.

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Limitation of Non-Renewable Energy

Will eventually run out. Finite supply.

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Mining/Drilling Impacts

Harms ecosystems and landscapes due to mining and drilling.

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Study Notes

  • Renewable energy resources are naturally replenished on a human timescale and will not deplete

Renewable Energy Examples

  • Solar energy
  • Wind energy
  • Hydropower
  • Biomass
  • Geothermal energy

Renewable Energy Advantages

  • Sustainable due to natural replenishment
  • Environmentally friendly, producing minimal to no greenhouse gas emissions
  • Reduces pollution, combating both air and water contamination
  • Fosters energy independence by decreasing reliance on imported fuels
  • Creates jobs in green technology sectors

Renewable Energy Disadvantages

  • High initial costs for setup, such as solar panels and wind turbines

  • Dependence on weather conditions affects solar and wind energy

  • Large-scale projects, such as wind farms, require significant land use

  • Requires efficient energy storage systems like batteries for continuous supply

  • Non-renewable energy resources exist in finite amounts and can be depleted

Non-Renewable Energy Examples

  • Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas
  • Nuclear energy

Non-Renewable Energy Advantages

  • Reliable and consistent energy production, independent of weather
  • Established technology and well-developed infrastructure
  • High energy output from relatively small quantities
  • Economic benefits as historically cheaper and supports numerous industries

Non-Renewable Energy Disadvantages

  • Finite supply of resources, leading to eventual depletion
  • Environmental pollution from burning fossil fuels, releasing harmful gases like COâ‚‚ and SOâ‚‚
  • Contributes to climate change as a major cause of global warming from greenhouse gas emissions
  • Mining and drilling activities harm ecosystems and landscapes
  • Nuclear risks include radioactive waste and potential for nuclear accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima

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