GREENLIGHT: Generating Renewable Energy Education Network Leading Initiatives for Green & Harmonious Tomorrows

Energy sources can be broadly categorized into non-renewable and renewable based on their availability, usage, and regeneration capabilities. Understanding the characteristics of these resources is critical for addressing current and future energy demands sustainably.

Non-renewable energy sources are those that cannot be replenished within a short period and are consumed faster than they can regenerate. These sources are finite and will eventually be depleted. Non-renewable energy is primarily divided into two categories:

• Fossil Fuels: These include coal, natural gas, and oil, which are formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals over millions of years. Despite their abundance and widespread use, fossil fuels are being consumed at a rate far exceeding their natural replenishment process.
• Nuclear Energy: Derived from uranium or other radioactive elements, nuclear energy is another non-renewable source. While it does not produce greenhouse gases during energy generation, the raw materials used are limited and non-renewable.

The consumption of non-renewable energy sources poses challenges due to their finite nature, environmental impact, and the time required for their formation, which spans millions of years.

Renewable energy sources are resources that naturally replenish within short periods through ongoing natural processes. These sources are considered inexhaustible because they are continuously renewed by Earth's natural cycles.

Key renewable energy sources include:

• Solar Energy: Energy harnessed from sunlight using solar panels.
• Wind Energy: Energy generated from wind through turbines.
• Hydropower: Energy derived from moving water in rivers or dams.
• Biomass: Organic material such as plant and animal waste used for energy.
• Geothermal Energy: Heat energy sourced from beneath the Earth's surface.
• Ocean Energy: Energy from tides, waves, and ocean currents.