Some energy sources, such as fossil fuels, take a long time to replenish. They are nonrenewable energy sources. Renewable sources, such as sunlight, replenish in a relatively short time. Listed below are examples of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources.
| Renewable Energy |
Nonrenewable Energy |
Solar Energy
- Heat and light energy from the Sun
- Renews day after day as the Sun shines
|
Coal
- Solid that takes millions of years to form
- Mined from the Earth
|
Wind Energy
- Motion energy from the wind
- Renews day after day as the wind blows
|
Oil
- Liquid that takes millions of years to form
- Pumped from the ground
|
Hydropower Energy
- Energy from moving water
- Renews day after day in waves and flowing rivers
|
Natural Gas
- Colorless odorless gas that takes millions of years to form
- Pumped from the ground
|
Geothermal Energy
- Heat and steam energy beneath the Earth's surface
|
Propane Gas
- Natural gas that becomes a liquid gas at high pressure or at low temperature
- Found with natural gas and oil
|
Biomass Energy
- Plant material and animal waste used to generate energy
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Nuclear Energy
- Stored in atoms-the smallest particles of chemical elements
- Formed using uranium ore which is mined from the earth
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