Non-Renewable Energy SourcesÂ
Resources that provide energy production in any way are called energy resources. Energy resources that take many years to form and regenerate are called non-renewable energy sources.
Fossil fuels: These are fuels such as coal, and natural gas which are formed by the long-term waiting of dead plant and animal wastes under the ground without breaking down. These fuels are used for heating in homes and workplaces, as well as in thermal power plants to generate electricity.
Petroleum: Oil is not only used in energy production; it is also used to acquire many products such as gasoline, diesel, LPG, plastic, and paint.Â
Nuclear Energy: It is the energy obtained by the decomposition of radioactive elements such as uranium, plutonium, and thorium. The released energy is used in electricity generation. In power plants that produce electricity in this way, special precautions are taken, such as placing them in special chambers and burying them very deep in the ground to minimize radioactive waste.Â
The negative effects of non-renewable energy sources on our environment and human health are increasing every day. These negativities include global warming; weather, soil and water pollution, and acid rain. Considering the future of the world, the importance of renewable energy sources comes to the agenda.Â
Renewable Energy Sources
Inexhaustible energy sources even though they are used are called renewable energy sources.Â
Hydroelectric energy:Â Hydroelectric energy is produced by utilizing the movement of water. The water accumulated in the dam is dropped down from a certain height and transformed into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy turns the tribune wheels and turns into electrical energy by the generator motor.
Wind Energy: The generation of electricity by utilizing the motion energy of the wind using wind generators is called wind energy.
Geothermal energy: Geothermal energy is the energy obtained from hot water or water vapor formed by the effect of heat from the magma in the inner layers of the earth (that is, thousands of kilometers below). Geothermal energy sources are used for electricity generation, heating (house, greenhouse, thermal facility), industrial applications, and thermal tourism-therapeutic purposes.
Solar energy: Â Solar energy is converted to electricity with solar cells in solar panels. We use solar energy for different purposes today like heating water with solar panels.
Biomass energy: Biomass energy is obtained from animal feces, dead trees, crops, bark, and sawdust.
Wave energy: One of the newly developing technologies is the generation of energy by taking advantage of the waves and tides in the seas and oceans.
