This document compares renewable energy sources like wind and solar to a nonrenewable source, natural gas. It defines renewable resources as naturally occurring and theoretically inexhaustible, providing examples of wind and solar energy. Wind energy is harvested through turbines that convert kinetic wind energy into electrical or mechanical energy. Solar energy is harvested through solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity. Both have minimal environmental impacts but high upfront costs. In contrast, natural gas is defined as a nonrenewable resource with limited supply that cannot be replenished at the consumption rate.

1. Renewable vs. Nonrenewable
Energy
By Alice Foss

2. Renewable Resources
• Definition: Any natural occurring, theoretically
inexhaustible source of energy, as
biomass, solar, wind, tidal, wave and
hydroelectric power, that is not derived from
fossil or nuclear fuel.
• Examples I am using today to compare
*Wind Energy
*Solar Energy

3. Wind Energy
• What is it?
*Wind energy is a form of energy conversion in which turbines convert the kinetic energy of
wind into mechanical or electrical energy that can be used for power.
• Where does it come from?
*Wind energy comes from the Earth, wind is all around us. The wind is converted into power
by the turbines.
• How is it “Harvested”?
*Through the turbines that convert the wind energy into mechanical or electrical energy that
can then be used for power.
• Benefits
*Minimal harm is caused to environment because it is a natural and renewable
resource, wind is free, the greatest benefit is that wind energy will never run out.
• Downfalls
*Although wind is free it can be pricy to obtain and maintain.

4. Solar Energy
• What is it?
*Solar energy is energy derived from the sun in the form of solar radiation.
• Where does it come from?
*Solar energy comes from the sun. The solar panels absorb the solar radiation used to create the
energy usable for power.
• How is it “Harvested”?
*Solar/Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into electricity. A majority of photovoltaic cells
are primarily made of silicon. When the sunlight comes in contact with a cell, the energy makes
electrons free of their atoms, which allows them to flow through the material. The resulting direct
current electricity is then sent to a power inverter for conversion to AC.
• Benefits
*Sunlight and Sun radiation is free, and can be repeatedly reused, it also cuts down on your electric
bills, can help utilities avoid brownouts and blackouts, and there is minimal harm done to the
environment because it is naturally occurring.
• Downfalls
*Solar energy doesn’t have many downfalls only that it might be hard to maintain your solar panels.

5. Nonrenewable Resources
• Definition: Any natural resource from the
earth that exists in limited supply and cannot
be replaced if it is used up; also, any natural
resource that cannot be replenished by
natural means at the same rates that it is
consumed.
• Example I am using today to compare
*Natural Gas

6. Natural Gas