Non Renewable Energy Resources

A few things to understand before we begin

1. Net Energy Yield– Amount of usable energy provided– Takes into account the amount of energy needed

to produce.

2. Energy Return on Investment– Energy obtained per unit energy used.

3. Subsidizing– Financial support given to energy sectors that

have low net yield in order to compete in market.

Net energy yields of various energy sources

Figure 15-2

Figure 15-3

COAL: Plentiful but dirty

• Where is it?– US, Russia, China, Australia, India

• Used for:– 43% of World Electricity– Industrial plants

• Used by:– China, United States, India, Russia, and Japan (5

leading nations, but China uses ~3x more than US)

Pros and Cons to Coal

Pros• Abundant supply• United States wouldn’t

need to depend on foreign nations

• Still relatively cheap

Cons• Most polluting form of

nonrenewable energy• H2SO4 due to release of SO2 into

the atmosphere• SPM and toxic pollutants• #1 CO2 emitter • Slurry bonds can lead to water

pollution• Costs do not reflect environmental

impact.• Mining has negative

environmental impact.

Coal to Synthetic Fuels (Synfuels)• Known as a “cleaner” version of coal.– BUT• Requires much more mining of coal to create• Conversion puts up to 50% more CO2 into atmosphere• Requires a lot of water.

• Does not have as high of an energy content.