What Is The Really Important Distinction Between Renewable And Not Renewable Resources?



What Is The Really Important Distinction Between Renewable And Not Renewable Resources?

Introduction

The aim of this assignment is to discuss the distinction between Canadian renewable and nonrenewable resources. Renewable sources of energy should not be confused with alternative sources of energy. Renewable energy is those energy sources which by their nature can be considered inexhaustible. The main sources of renewable energy are: Sun: solar energy; Wind: wind power; Water: Hydropower; Earth: geothermal energy; and Gas: biomass.

The non-renewable sources of energy are those sources of energy that are fulfilled with the use or wear out more quickly than is necessary for their formation. The non-renewable sources of energy are then fossil fuels: oil, coal, natural gas, uranium. An important feature of renewable sources of energy is that they have a reduced environmental impact. Renewable energy sources are sources of energy that enable a sustainable development without adversely affecting the ecosystem for an indefinite period (Gerena, 2001).

Discussion and Analysis

The Canada enjoys great amount of renewable energy sources. The country has vast and varied natural resources, including massive water supplies, solar, wind, and biomass energy. Canada is the largest producer of hydroelectric power; it generates 353 terawatt hours and exports 60% of its electricity. Canada is a world leader in the development and commercialization of solar air collectors. The country presents the most highly qualified people on the face of the Earth. The Wind Power is the renewable energy source that is growing faster in Canada. In 2008, Canada was the twelfth country in the world to cross the threshold of 2000 megawatts (MW) in production of wind energy, at the end of the year reaching 2369 MW. The wind farms in Canada now produce enough electricity to meet the electricity needs of the country. The solar energy is a viable option in Canada. The energy hydropower accounts for 97% of the total renewable electricity generation in Canada and almost 13% of the global hydropower production. In fact, Canada is a global leader in the production of hydroelectric power with an installed capacity of over 70,858 MW and had an annual average production of 350 TWh (The Atlas of Canada, 2012).

The sun radiates an enormous amount of energy to the earth. In half an hour, it comes to the globe, so that in theory the total annual energy consumption could be met. Hydropower is one of the oldest energy sources of humanity. The use of the energy of the dammed or running water, using water wheels was in China in the third Century BC usual. Basically, hydropower is stored solar energy as the sun evaporates the water and lifts it so to greater heights from which flow down again and it can convert the potential energy into work (Alabaster, 2011).

Canada plays a particularly important role towards hydropower, where there is also great potential to exploit the one. The conversion of solar energy into biomass for the biosphere is one of the most ...