Renewable and non-renewable sources

Classify these energy sources as renewable or non-renewable:

1. a) Solar energy.
2. b) Coal.
3. c) Wind energy.
4. d) Natural gas.

Complete the sentence with the missing words: "Non-renewable sources are those that get $\dots$ when used, because nature takes $\dots$ of years to form them again. Two examples are $\dots$ and $\dots$."

State whether each statement is true or false and correct the false ones:

1. a) "Oil is a renewable source."
2. b) "Firewood and pruning waste are biomass, a renewable source."
3. c) "If we install many wind turbines, the wind will run out."

Which energy source does each of these facilities use?

1. a) Giant wind turbines at the top of a hill.
2. b) Dark panels on the roof of a house.
3. c) A dam releasing water through its sluice gates.
4. d) A power station burning gas to heat steam.

The school has installed solar panels on the roof of the gym.

1. a) Give two advantages of producing its own electricity in this way.
2. b) Give one disadvantage of solar energy and explain how it can be solved or mitigated.

A hydroelectric dam produces electricity by releasing dammed water, as shown in the diagram in the figure.

1. a) Write down one advantage of this energy source.
2. b) Write down one disadvantage for the river environment and the valley.
3. c) Is it renewable? Justify your answer.

In a nuclear power station, uranium is used as a "fuel".

1. a) Is nuclear energy renewable or non-renewable? Think about whether uranium gets depleted.
2. b) Name the most well-known problem with this energy source, related to what is left behind after using it.

Coal and natural gas are fossil fuels.

1. a) What common problem do they cause for the planet's climate? Name the gas they emit when burned.
2. b) If this problem is so serious, why do you think many countries continue to use them? Give at least one reason.

A town council must choose between installing a wind farm in the mountains or a small gas power station next to the industrial estate.

1. a) Write down two arguments in favour of the wind farm.
2. b) Write down two arguments in favour of the gas power station.
3. c) Choose one of the two options and defend it with your own arguments, addressing one of its disadvantages.

To do your homework, you can use a desktop computer using $200\ \text{W}$ or a laptop using $50\ \text{W}$, taking $2\ \text{h}$ with either of them.

1. a) How much energy does each one consume, in $\text{Wh}$?
2. b) How many $\text{Wh}$ do you save each evening by using the laptop?

At Carla's house, the TV and games console are always left on standby, with the little light on. Together they consume $0,5\ \text{kWh}$ per day without anyone using them.

1. a) How many $\text{kWh}$ do they waste in a year of $365$ days?
2. b) How much money is thrown away per year, at $0,20\ \text{€/kWh}$?
3. c) Propose two responsible consumption habits to reduce this waste.

A classmate claims: "Since the Sun and the wind are free and will not run out, saving energy will no longer be necessary once everything is renewable."

1. a) Explain why renewable energy is not truly "free": think about the infrastructure, materials, and land required.
2. b) Give one reason why saving energy will still be necessary even if all energy is renewable.
3. c) Rewrite your classmate's statement so that it is correct.