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Coal, produced over millions of years, is a finite and non-renewable resource on a human time scale. A non-renewable resource (also called a finite resource) is a natural resource that cannot be readily replaced by natural means at a pace quick enough to keep up with consumption. [1] An example is carbon-based fossil fuels.
Oceans often act as renewable resources. Sawmill near Fügen, Zillertal, Austria Global vegetation. A renewable resource (also known as a flow resource [note 1] [1]) is a natural resource which will replenish to replace the portion depleted by usage and consumption, either through natural reproduction or other recurring processes in a finite amount of time in a human time scale.
The transition to renewable energy depends on non-renewable resources, such as mined metals. [38] Manufacturing of photovoltaic panels, wind turbines and batteries requires significant amounts of rare-earth elements [39] which has significant social and environmental impact if mined in forests and protected areas.
Renewable energy replaces conventional fuels in four distinct areas: electricity generation, air and water heating/cooling, motor fuels, and rural (off-grid) energy services. [2] Based on REN21 's 2014 report, renewables contributed 19 percent to our global energy consumption and 22 percent to our electricity generation in 2012 and 2013 ...
[123] [124] Although the uranium ore used to fuel nuclear fission plants is a non-renewable resource, enough exists to provide a supply for hundreds to thousands of years. [ 125 ] [ 126 ] However, uranium resources that can be accessed in an economically feasible manner, at the present state, are limited and uranium production could hardly keep ...
Renewable resources are available each year, unlike non-renewable resources, which are eventually depleted. A simple comparison is a coal mine and a forest. While the forest could be depleted, if it is managed it represents a continuous supply of energy, vs. the coal mine, which once has been exhausted is gone.
Energy development is the field of activities focused on obtaining sources of energy from natural resources. [citation needed] These activities include the production of renewable, nuclear, and fossil fuel derived sources of energy, and for the recovery and reuse of energy that would otherwise be wasted.
Uranium-235 "burnt" in conventional reactors, without fuel recycling, is a non-renewable resource, and if used at present rates would eventually be exhausted. A cutaway model of the 2nd most powerful presently operating fast breeder reactor in the world. The , at 600 MW of nameplate capacity is equivalent in power output to a natural gas CCGT.