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Energy sources are of two general types: nonrenewable and renewable. Energy sources are considered nonrenewable if they cannot be replenished (made again) in a short period of time. On the other hand, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are replenished naturally.

The four major nonrenewable energy sources are

Nonrenewable energy sources come out of the ground as liquids, gases, and solids. We use crude oil to make liquid petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and heating oil. Propane and other hydrocarbon gas liquids, such as butane and ethane, are found in natural gas and crude oil.

All fossil fuels are nonrenewable, but not all nonrenewable energy sources are fossil fuels

Coal, crude oil, and natural gas are all considered fossil fuels because they were formed from the buried remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago.

Uranium ore, a solid, is mined and converted to a fuel used at nuclear power plants. Uranium is not a fossil fuel, but it is classified as a nonrenewable fuel.

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Energy sources are of two general types: nonrenewable and renewable. Energy sources are considered nonrenewable if they cannot be replenished (made again) in a short period of time. On the other hand, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are replenished naturally.

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Welcome to Britannica School, a safe, up-to-date, and age-appropriate information resource for Elementary, Middle, and High School.

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Welcome to Britannica School , a safe, up-to-date, and age-appropriate information resource for Elementary, Middle, and High School.

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Renewable energy sources include biomass (which includes biofuels), hydropower, geothermal, wind, and solar. In 2022, about 13% of U.S energy consumption was from renewable energy. Most of renewable energy use is for producing electricity.

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy is energy from sources that are naturally replenishing but flow-limited; renewable resources are virtually inexhaustible in duration but limited in the amount of energy that is available per unit of time.

What role does renewable energy play in the United States?

Until the mid-1800s, wood was the source of nearly all of the nation's energy needs for heating, cooking, and lighting. From the late 1800's until today, fossil fuels-coal, petroleum, and natural gas-have been the major sources of energy. Hydropower and solid biomass were the most used renewable energy resources until the 1990s. Since then, the amounts and the percentage shares of total U.S. energy consumption from biofuels, geothermal energy, solar energy, and wind energy increased. Total U.S. renewable energy production and consumption reached record highs in 2022.

In 2022, renewable energy provided about 13%, or 13.18 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu)-1 quadrillion is the number 1 followed by 15 zeros-of total U.S. energy consumption. The electric power sector accounted for about 61% of total U.S. renewable energy consumption in 2022, and about 21% of total U.S. electricity generation was from renewable energy sources.

Renewable energy can play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Using renewable energy can reduce the use of fossil fuels, which are the largest sources of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions. In the Annual Energy Outlook 2023 Reference case, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that U.S. renewable energy consumption will continue to increase through 2050.

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Renewable energy sources include biomass (which includes biofuels), hydropower, geothermal, wind, and solar. In 2022, about 13% of U.S energy consumption was from renewable energy. Most of renewable energy use is for producing electricity.

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Renewable energy comes from sources that will not be used up in our lifetimes, such as the sun and wind.

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a comprehensive suite of e-learning resources designed for all ages and abilities with articles

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A comprehensive suite of e-learning resources designed for all ages and abilities with articles, videos, educator tools, eBooks, research guides and more.

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Energy forms are either potential or kinetic. Potential energy comes in forms that are stored and includes chemical, gravitational, mechanical, and nuclear. Kinetic energy is energy in movement and includes electrical energy, heat, light, and sound.

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Energy forms are either potential or kinetic. Potential energy comes in forms that are stored and includes chemical, gravitational, mechanical, and nuclear. Kinetic energy is energy in movement and includes electrical energy, heat, light, and sound.