Difference Between Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy

Renewable energy sources are getting popular and replacing non-renewable energy sources rapidly, and it is the time when energy needs are multiplying each day. 

Renewable and non-renewable energy is totally different from each other due to some differences between them. Renewable energy sources are different compared to non-renewable energy sources, so we are going to discuss the differences between renewable energy and non-renewable energy along with their resources. 

What is meant by renewable energy sources?

This is the energy that comes directly through the source and can’t be depleted after use. This type of energy is known as renewable energy. Natural sources provide renewable energy in several ways; that’s why this type of energy which comes from natural sources, is called renewable energy. 

Examples:

There are some examples of renewable energy are as follows;

• Solar energy is a form of renewable energy.
• Wind energy is also a renewable energy resource.
• Hydro energy can renew easily.
• Tidal energy can produce electrical energy.
• Thermal energy is a form of change of temperature.
• Biomass energy is found by using plants. 

These are examples of renewable energy, and these energies are formed from natural resources called renewable energy resources. 

What is meant by non-renewable energy sources?

Non-renewable energy is the energy that directly comes from sources that run out and not be replenished again. Once these energy resources are used, they won’t be replaced again and again. That’s why this energy is called non-renewable energy. So, these are sort of disposable energy sources. 

Examples:

To understand in detail about non-renewable energy sources, you need to know some examples of these sources. There are some examples of non-renewable energy are as follows;

• Fossil fuels, once used, would be finished. 
• Coal cannot reproduce after usage.
• Oil is also consumed only once. 
• Natural Gas cannot be renewed.
• Petroleum products are also non-renewable. 

These are examples of non-renewable energy and are still widely used for the generation of energy. However, it is assumed that the world will shift to a renewable energy source in the coming decays. 

Difference between both energy sources:

Now we are going to discuss the difference between renewable energy and non-renewable energy and their resources. There are many points of differences between both energies, and their resources are as follows: 

1-In depletion: 

In renewable energy, depletion doesn’t take place the source of energy is not depleted. In this way, this is also termed as a continuous consumption form of energy, which consumes energy again and again, and depletion doesn’t take place. Examples: Light from the sun, wind, water, etc. these sources remains constant and are used again and again. 

In non-renewable energy, depletion takes place. That’s why this term of energy is not a continuous form of energy. Once the energy is consumed after it, the source will not be replaced again in the whole lifetime. Examples: Fossil fuels, coals, petroleum products, etc. These sources will not be able for used again and again once these sources are used for energy; then, the product doesn’t go back to its original form. 

2- In environmental impact:

If we talk about renewable energy, they show low or less emission of carbon and have a good impact on the environment. That’s why renewable energy is environment-friendly energy. This form of energy is good in any way and has no bad effect on the atmosphere. 

But non-renewable energy, this form of energy has high emissions of carbon and their derivatives. In this way, it shows a high carbon footprint. So, non-renewable energy shows some impact on earth which is not environment friendly. 

3- Cost:

The cost of Renewable energy is relatively high because their resources are naturally occurring and sometimes become rare due to some shortage; that’s why the cost of renewable energy is high. 

But the cost of non-renewable energy is not high and is found at low cost everywhere because these are formed from sources that are used only at one time. 

4- Areas of requirements:

The area which is required for renewable energy sources is high or huge because they use the huge area for their production and better working. For e.g., windmills need a huge area for their work and for the purpose of producing electricity. 

But if we talk about Non-renewable energy, they don’t need a huge area for work because they work better in a smaller area and produce specific energy in this area. 

5- Sources:

Sources of renewable energy are solar, water, wind, biomass, etc. and the sources of non-renewable energy are coal, oil, gas, petrol, etc. 

6- Availability:

Renewable energy sources are available freely all around us because these are naturally occurring and are found freely everywhere due to their nature of being environment-friendly. These are free of cost, and we use them whenever we need them without buying them, wind, water, biomass, etc.

But non-renewable energy is not found everywhere freely. This form of energy is not available free of cost. We all depend on this energy, so we buy them for our use, such as coal, oil, etc. 

7- Restoration:

Renewable energy resources can be stored for further or future use, like water. We use this form of energy again when we want to use it. But if we talk about non-renewable energy resources, they can’t be restored for future use. Because once they use, they will not be replaced for any further use. 

8- Restrictions:

There is no restriction in using renewable energy because of their nature of being found freely. But if we talk about non-renewable energy, there are restrictions on using non-renewable energy because these are costly and only used when we need them.

9- Exhausted nature:

The nature of renewable energy is not exhausted even for a lifetime period. But non-renewable energy is exhausted by using it one time. These are exhausted one day whenever we use them.

10- Advantages: 

There are a few advantages of renewable energy as follows, and they show less impact on global warming, they are helpful in improving public health, etc. The advantages of non-renewable energy are: they provide us with a high amount of energy, they provide handsome benefits in selling oil, etc.

Final words

We discussed renewable and non-renewable energy along with their sources, and we came to know that both have more good impacts and few bad impacts. But, these are helpful in many ways in providing us energy by using them. These are naturally occurring because they consume natural things for better production. That’s why these are beneficial and helpful in several ways. Along with their production, some energy is found freely, but it is not found freely and is not replaced again. However, both energies are important for the survival of human beings.