What is a Renewable Energy Source?

Looking for a fun and educational way to teach kids about energy sources? Look no further than our printable set of posters! With colourful designs and easy-to-understand explanations, these posters are the perfect way to introduce young learners to the concepts of renewable and nonrenewable energy. From solar power to fossil fuels, your child will gain a better understanding of where our energy comes from, its positive and negative effects, and how we can work towards a more sustainable future. Three types of renewable energy are

Wind Energy
Wind power involves converting wind energy into electricity by using wind turbines. The wind rotates the wind turbine’s blades, which is connected to an electrical generator. The electrical generator converts the motion (kinetic energy) of the spinning turbine into electricity.

Hydro Energy
Hydro systems convert the flow of water into electrical energy. Like wind turbines, hydro systems rely on submerged turbines that are rotated by the flow of water. An electrical generator converts the motion (kinetic energy) of the spinning turbine into electricity.

Solar Energy
Solar power is clean electricity created from sunlight or heat from the sun. Solar energy is primarily captured by solar photovoltaic or solar thermal systems. Solar photovoltaic panels convert solar energy into electricity, while solar thermal systems can be used to heat water.

What is a Non-Renewable Energy Source?

Nonrenewable energy refers to energy sources that are finite and cannot be replenished on a human timescale. These energy sources include fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, which were formed over millions of years from the remains of plants and animals. Once these nonrenewable resources are extracted and used, they cannot be replaced, and their supply will eventually run out.

Oil
Oil reservoirs can be found inland (onshore) or under the sea bed (offshore), thousands of metres deep. Wells are drilled into the reservoirs, and the pressure can force the oil to the surface naturally or the oil may need to be pumped to the surface. The oil is then refined into petroleum products such as petrol, diesel and kerosene.

Natural Gas
Natural gas is found in rock reservoirs underground or deep in the ocean. It can be used to generate electricity in gas-fired power stations. The gas is combined with air, burned in a combustion chamber and compressed to produce combustion gas. This high-pressure gas expands through a turbine. An electrical generator converts the kinetic energy of the rotating turbine into electricity.

Coal
Coal is mined by open-cut or underground mining techniques. It is crushed into a fine powder and burned in a furnace to generate heat and produce high-pressure steam. The steam is used to turn a turbine and drive a generator that converts the kinetic energy into electricity.

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