Non-Renewable Energy

For thousands of years, people have used natural resources for

energy. For example, the earliest known use of fire dates back to

460,000 BC somewhere in China. What other sources of energy do

people use?

What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable

energy resources?

Can you think of some examples of non-renewable energy?

How are fossil fuels formed?

• Video: How are fossil fuels formed

• To minute 2:07

What are some of the most common uses of fossil fuels?

How do we use fossil fuels?

• Video: How fossil fuels are used to make electricity

COAL

Types of Coal

Lignite

• “Youngest”• Most impurities• Provides the least

energy• Gives off the most

pollution and carbon dioxide

Anthracite

• “Oldest”• Least impurities• Provides the most

energy• Gives off the least

pollution and carbon dioxide

We have 27% of the world’s coal supply – more than anybody else

Problems with Strip-Mining

• Heavy Machinery and Removal of Earth causes massive habitat destruction

• Land where earth has been replaced or around spoils is unstable

• Erosion• Acid Drainage – minerals and coal react with

air to form Sulfuric Acid – creates acid run-off and can percolate into groundwater

Problems with Sub-Surface Mining

• Dangerous for Workers• Unstable Ground from filled in mine shafts• Groundwater pollution• Acid Drainage – minerals and coal react with

air to form Sulfuric Acid – creates acid run-off and can percolate into groundwater

OIL

Drilling for Oil and Oil Extraction

• Video: How are fossil fuels formed

• To about 7 min

US Peak OIL

Global Peak Oil

Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico

Natural Gas

Natural Gas

Biogenic• Pure Methane• From recently decomposed

materials in swamps, livestock feedlots, landfills, manure and wastewater sludge

• Can be used in electricity production

• Can be used in Natural Gas Pipelines IF refined

• Using Biogenic Methane from a Landfill

Thermogenic• Mixed with other chemicals

from crude oil• Forms in a similar way to

crude oil

Natural Gas

• Cleanest of the Fossil Fuels• Smallest Supply of the Fossil Fuels• Biogenic can be somewhat renewed – but still

contributes to carbon dioxide emissions