The Use of Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources (Leaving Cert Geography): Revision Notes

The use of renewable and non-renewable resources

Introduction: Resources in the Economy

• Non-Renewable Resources: Finite resources such as coal, oil, gas, and peat that cannot replenish within a human timescale.
• Renewable Resources: Resources like wind, solar, hydroelectricity, and biomass that are naturally replenished.
• Importance: These resources are critical for energy production, economic development, and global trade.

National Energy Resources (Ireland)

Non-Renewable Resources in Ireland

1. Peat:

• Traditionally a major energy source in Ireland.
• Used for domestic heating and electricity generation (e.g., Bord na Móna).
• Decline:
• Peat harvesting is being phased out due to environmental concerns and high CO₂ emissions.

2. Natural Gas:

• Corrib Gas Field supplies 60% of Ireland's gas needs.
• Reliance on imported gas has decreased but remains significant.

3. Coal and Oil:

• Limited reserves in Ireland; most is imported.
• Oil: Primarily used in transportation.
• Coal: Moneypoint Power Station was Ireland's primary coal-fired plant, now transitioning to renewables.

Renewable Resources in Ireland

Ireland is actively transitioning to renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, and combat climate change. Below is a brief overview of the key alternative energy sources in Ireland:

Wind Power

• What It Is: Uses wind to turn turbines that generate electricity.
• Ireland's Status:
  • Wind energy is Ireland's largest renewable energy source, supplying over 40% of electricity demand.
  • Onshore Wind: Widely used due to Ireland's windy conditions.
  • Offshore Wind: Expanding, with projects like the Arklow Bank Wind Park, which produces 25MW.

Solar Energy

• What It Is: Converts sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) panels.
• Ireland's Status:
  • Though Ireland has less sunlight than southern Europe, solar panel adoption is increasing in homes and businesses.
  • Government grants encourage solar installations.

Biomass

• What It Is: Involves burning organic materials like wood, agricultural waste, or animal manure to produce energy.
• Ireland's Status:
  • Biomass is used in co-firing with peat at power plants like Edenderry, helping to reduce reliance on non-renewable fuels.

Hydropower

• What It Is: Generates electricity from the energy of flowing water.
• Ireland's Status:
  • Limited due to Ireland's flat landscape, but Ardnacrusha Hydroelectric Station on the River Shannon was a major early contributor to renewable energy.

Why Ireland Focuses on Renewables

1. Environmental Benefits: Reduces Ireland's carbon footprint.
2. Energy Security: Decreases dependence on imported fossil fuels.
3. Government Targets: By 2030, 80% of electricity is planned to come from renewable energy. This concise summary focuses on Ireland's key renewable energy sources, their role, and their potential for the future. Let me know if you'd like further details!

The Impact of Fossil Fuel Burning

Climate Change

• Fossil fuels emit greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane, contributing to:
  • Rising global temperatures.
  • Melting ice caps and rising sea levels.
  • Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts.

Air Pollution

• Fossil fuel combustion releases pollutants like sulphur dioxide $(SO₂$), nitrogen oxides ($NOₓ$), and particulate matter.
  • Causes respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and premature deaths.

Acid Rain: A European Issue

• Problem: Acid rain caused widespread forest damage in the 1980s.
• Solution: EU directives limited SO₂ emissions through cleaner technologies.
• Formation:
  • Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides mix with water vapour, forming acidic precipitation.
• Impacts:
  • Damage to forests (e.g., Black Forest in Germany).
  • Acidification of lakes and rivers, harming aquatic life.
  • Corrosion of buildings and monuments.
• Solution:
  • EU regulations to limit SO₂ emissions through cleaner energy sources.

Habitat Destruction

• Mining and drilling for fossil fuels destroy ecosystems, displace wildlife, and pollute water supplies.

Smoke-Free Zones

• Areas where regulations reduce or eliminate air pollution from burning fossil fuels.
• Examples:
  • London's Clean Air Act (1956) established after the Great Smog, reducing coal use.
  • Smoke control areas in Dublin reduced reliance on coal and improved air quality.

Benefits:

• Reduces health risks associated with air pollution.
• Encourages a shift towards cleaner energy alternatives.

Patterns of Energy Production and Consumption

Global Patterns:

• Fossil fuels dominate, accounting for over 80% of global energy production.
• Transition to renewables is accelerating, with solar and wind power growing annually by 10-15%.

Ireland's Energy Production:

1. Non-Renewable Resources:

• Peat: Phased out due to environmental concerns.
• Natural Gas: Corrib Gas Field supplies 60% of national demand.

2. Renewable Resources:

• Wind Energy: Ireland generates 40% of its electricity from wind power.
• Hydropower: Ardnacrusha Hydroelectric Scheme remains a key facility.

Consumption:

• Ireland: High energy demand driven by households, transport, and industry.
• Europe:
  • Northern Europe leads in renewable energy use.
  • Southern and Eastern Europe remain reliant on fossil fuels.

Transition to Renewable Energy

Global Efforts:

• Paris Agreement (2015):
  • Limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C by reducing fossil fuel use.

Ireland's Climate Action Plan:

• Goal: Generate 80% of electricity from renewables by 2030.
• Measures:
  • Phase out coal-fired plants.
  • Increase wind and solar infrastructure.

Comparison of Fossil Fuels and Renewables

Aspect	Fossil Fuels	Renewables
Environmental Impact	High CO₂ and pollutant emissions	Minimal emissions
Availability	Limited and depleting	Unlimited and sustainable
Cost	Cheaper initially, with externalities	High setup cost, low operating costs
Sustainability	Unsustainable	Sustainable

Production and Consumption of Energy

Trends in Energy Production

1. Global Trends:

• Fossil fuels still dominate, providing over 80% of global energy.
• Renewable energy sources account for 30% of electricity production worldwide.

2. Ireland's Energy Production:

• 40% of electricity comes from renewables, with wind energy as the largest contributor.
• Shift away from peat and coal towards cleaner energy.

Energy Consumption

1. Ireland:

• Energy demand is rising due to population growth and industrialisation.
• Heavy reliance on transportation fuels (oil and gas).

2. Global Consumption:

• Developing nations are increasing fossil fuel consumption as they industrialise.
• Europe is transitioning faster to renewable energy.

European Examples of Energy Production and Use

Norway (Renewable Energy Leader)

• Hydropower:
  • Norway generates 96% of its electricity from hydropower due to abundant rivers and steep terrain.
• Wind Power:
  • Offshore wind farms are expanding, contributing to the energy mix.
• Exporting Energy:
  • Norway exports renewable energy to neighbouring countries.

Germany (Energy Transition)

• Energiewende (Energy Transition Plan):
  • Germany aims to phase out nuclear energy by 2023 and coal by 2038.
  • Heavy investment in wind, solar, and biomass energy.
• Challenges:
  • High costs of transition and reliance on imported natural gas.

France (Nuclear Energy)

• Nuclear Power:
  • France generates 70% of its electricity from nuclear energy, reducing CO₂ emissions.
• Renewable Expansion:
  • Investment in wind and solar energy to diversify the energy mix.

Comparison of Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources

The Need for Transition to Renewables

Environmental Benefits:

• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and slows global warming.
• Prevents air and water pollution caused by fossil fuel extraction and use.

Economic Benefits:

• Creates jobs in renewable energy sectors.
• Reduces reliance on imported fuels, enhancing energy security.

Challenges:

• High initial costs of infrastructure.
• Intermittency issues with wind and solar power.