Meaning, Examples and Uses of Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy for JSS 1

Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain the meaning of renewable and non-renewable energy;
2. list examples of renewable and non-renewable energy;
3. state uses of renewable energy;
4. describe the implications of misuse of renewable energy;
5. outline the effects of energy on the quality of human life and societal development;
6. demonstrate application of renewable and non-renewable energy in everyday life;
7. describe the application of energy in technology, life processes and health.

Meaning of Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy

Energy is the ability to do work.

In nature, energy exists in various forms and is obtained from different sources. These sources are broadly classified into two main categories based on their availability and replenishment rate: renewable energy and non-renewable energy.

Renewable energy is energy obtained from natural sources that are constantly replenished and do not run out over time.

These sources are naturally restored at a rate equal to or faster than their consumption. They are often referred to as clean energy because their utilization generally produces minimal environmental pollution.

Non-renewable energy is energy obtained from natural sources that exist in limited amounts and can be completely exhausted or used up through continuous consumption.

These sources take millions of years to form deep within the Earth from the remains of ancient plants and animals. Once they are depleted, they cannot be replaced within a human lifespan.

Examples of Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy

Energy sources are found all around the environment. Identifying these sources helps in understanding how they can be harnessed for daily activities.

Examples of renewable energy sources include:

1. Solar energy: This is energy obtained directly from the sun in the form of heat and light.
2. Wind energy: This is energy generated by the movement of air currents, which can be captured by wind turbines.
3. Hydroelectric energy: This is energy obtained from the movement of flowing water in rivers or waterfalls.
4. Biomass energy: This is energy stored in organic materials such as wood, agricultural waste, animal dung and plants.
5. Geothermal energy: This is heat energy originating from deep within the Earth.

Examples of non-renewable energy sources include:

1. Coal: A dark, solid fossil fuel mined from underground rock formations.
2. Crude oil (Petroleum): A liquid fossil fuel refined to produce petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel.
3. Natural gas: A gaseous fossil fuel often found alongside crude oil deposits, used commonly as cooking gas.
4. Nuclear fuel: Radioactive elements, such as uranium, which release large amounts of energy through nuclear reactions.

Uses of Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy

Both forms of energy are essential for running homes, schools, industries and transport systems.

Common uses of renewable energy include:

1. Solar energy is used to generate electricity through solar panels, dry agricultural crops, heat water in homes and power streetlights.
2. Wind energy is used to turn wind turbines for electricity generation and to power mechanical wind pumps that draw water from wells.
3. Hydroelectric energy is used to spin large turbines in dams, such as the Kainji Dam in Nigeria, to generate electricity for the national grid.
4. Biomass energy, particularly wood, is used directly as fuel for cooking and heating in many rural communities.

Common uses of non-renewable energy include:

1. Crude oil products, such as petrol and diesel, are used to power internal combustion engines in cars, buses, trucks and generators.
2. Coal is burned in thermal power stations to generate electricity and is used as a fuel in heavy industries like steel manufacturing.
3. Natural gas is used for domestic cooking and to power gas turbines in electricity generation plants.

Misuse of Energy and Its Implications

Misuse of energy refers to the wasteful, inefficient or destructive consumption of energy resources. While energy is vital, improper handling and lack of conservation lead to serious consequences.

Implications of the misuse of renewable energy include:

1. Deforestation: Excessive cutting down of trees for firewood (biomass) without replanting leads to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity and desertification.
2. Ecosystem disruption: Poorly planned hydroelectric dams can flood large areas of agricultural land upstream and dry up water bodies downstream, destroying aquatic habitats.
3. Land pollution: Improper disposal of expired solar batteries and damaged solar panels releases toxic chemicals into the soil and groundwater.

Implications of the misuse of non-renewable energy include:

1. Air pollution: Excessive burning of petrol, diesel and coal releases harmful gases like carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and soot, which cause respiratory diseases in humans.
2. Global warming: The accumulation of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels traps heat in the atmosphere, leading to climate change and rising sea levels.
3. Oil spillage: Careless extraction and transportation of crude oil lead to spills that pollute rivers, kill fish and ruin fertile farmland, especially in coastal regions.

Effects of Energy on Human Life and Societal Development

The availability and utilization of energy have a direct impact on the quality of human life and the progress of society.

Positive effects of energy on human life and societal development include:

1. Improved living standards: Electrical energy powers household appliances, lighting, fans and air conditioners, making domestic life comfortable and safe.
2. Industrialization: Industries rely on energy to run heavy machinery, manufacture goods, process food and package products on a large scale.
3. Modern transportation: The availability of fuel allows rapid movement of people, raw materials and finished goods across long distances by road, rail, air and water.
4. Communication and technology: Computers, mobile phones, television stations and internet servers require constant electrical energy to keep the world connected.

Negative effects of energy production and consumption include:

1. Health hazards: Exposure to smoke from poorly ventilated kitchens using firewood or coal causes chronic lung infections and eye damage.
2. Resource depletion: Over-reliance on non-renewable energy sources rapidly depletes these resources, leading to scarcity and high costs of living.

Applications of Energy in Technology, Life Processes and Health

Energy is applied in various fields to sustain life, improve health and drive technological innovations.

Application in Technology

Technology relies on the conversion of energy from one form to another to perform specific tasks.

Examples of energy applications in technology include:

1. Solar photovoltaic systems: These systems convert light energy from the sun directly into electrical energy to power homes, telecommunication masts and space satellites.
2. Wind turbines: These machines convert the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy, which is then converted into electrical energy.
3. Electric generators: These devices convert the chemical energy stored in petrol or diesel into electrical energy during power outages.

Application in Life Processes

Living organisms require energy to carry out basic biological functions necessary for survival.

Examples of energy applications in life processes include:

1. Photosynthesis: Green plants absorb solar energy from the sun and convert it into chemical energy stored as food (starch).
2. Respiration: Animals and plants break down stored chemical energy from food to produce the energy needed for growth, movement, excretion and reproduction.
3. Body temperature regulation: Mammals and birds use metabolic energy derived from food to maintain a constant internal body temperature.

Application in Health

The medical field depends heavily on energy to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases.

Examples of energy applications in health include:

1. Diagnostic equipment: Electrical energy powers critical medical devices such as X-ray machines, ultrasound scanners and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems.
2. Life support systems: Intensive care units rely on constant electrical energy to run ventilators, incubators for premature babies and kidney dialysis machines.
3. Sterilization: Heat energy is used in autoclaves to sterilize surgical instruments, killing harmful microorganisms to prevent infections during operations.
4. Cold chain storage: Refrigeration powered by electricity or solar energy is used to store vaccines, insulin and blood products at precise low temperatures to prevent them from spoiling.

Practical Demonstrations of Energy Application

Simple activities can be performed to observe how renewable and non-renewable energy sources function in everyday life.

How to Demonstrate Solar Energy Heating (Renewable Energy)

This activity demonstrates how solar energy can be absorbed and used to heat water.

The required materials are:

1. Two identical plastic cups
2. Water at room temperature
3. A sheet of black paper
4. A sheet of white paper
5. A thermometer
6. Adhesive tape

The procedure involves the following steps:

1. Fill both plastic cups with equal amounts of water.
2. Measure and record the initial temperature of the water in both cups using the thermometer.
3. Wrap the outer surface of the first cup completely with the black paper and secure it with tape.
4. Wrap the outer surface of the second cup completely with the white paper and secure it with tape.
5. Place both cups side-by-side in direct sunlight for thirty minutes.
6. Measure and record the final temperature of the water in both cups.
7. Observe that the water in the cup wrapped in black paper has a higher temperature because dark surfaces absorb solar energy more efficiently than light surfaces.

How to Demonstrate Heat Generation from Biomass (Non-Renewable/Renewable Transition)

This activity demonstrates how chemical energy stored in wood (biomass) is released as heat and light energy through combustion.

The required materials are:

1. A small, dry wooden stick
2. A metal tray
3. A box of matches
4. A cup of water (for safety)

The procedure involves the following steps:

1. Place the metal tray on a flat, non-flammable surface outdoors.
2. Place the dry wooden stick on the metal tray.
3. Ask an adult to strike a match and light one end of the wooden stick.
4. Observe the flame and carefully hold a hand at a safe distance above the flame to feel the heat energy being released.
5. Extinguish the flame completely by pouring the cup of water over the stick once the observation is complete.