Grade by Grade
E. Earth and Space Systems · Conservation of Energy and Resources

Renewable and Non-renewable Energy Sources

E2.5 A1.1 A3.1About 45 minutes
Learning goals
  • I can explain the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
  • I can sort energy sources into renewable and non-renewable.
  • I can name energy sources that are used to make electricity in Ontario.
  • I can research an energy source and describe one benefit and one drawback.

Words to know

energy source
Where energy comes from, like the Sun, wind or natural gas.
renewable
Can be replaced by nature in a short time, or will not run out. Sunlight and wind are renewable.
non-renewable
Limited. Once it is used, it cannot be replaced in a human lifetime. Coal, oil, natural gas and uranium are non-renewable.
fossil fuels
Coal, oil and natural gas. They formed over millions of years from the remains of plants and tiny sea creatures.
uranium
A metal mined from rock. Nuclear power stations use it to make electricity. It is non-renewable.
hydroelectricity
Electricity made from moving water.

Will it run out?

Imagine two lemonade stands. One has a giant jug of lemonade and no more lemons. When the jug is empty, that's it. The other has a lemon tree that grows new lemons every year. If the owner doesn't squeeze too fast, the lemonade never runs out.

Energy sources are a bit like that. Some will run out. Others keep coming back.

Non-renewableRenewableOne big jug, no more lemons.When it is empty, that's it!A lemon tree grows new lemonsevery year. Use it wisely!like coal, oil, natural gaslike sun, wind, moving water
A non-renewable source is like a jug with no refills. A renewable source is like a tree that keeps making more lemons, as long as we don't use them faster than they grow.

Remember from Grade 1

In Grade 1 you learned that people get energy from the Sun, wind, moving water, fuels and batteries, and that some energy resources are limited. Now you'll learn the science words for this: renewable and non-renewable.

Renewable energy sources

A renewable source is replaced by nature in a short time, or will not run out.

  • Solar energy: light and heat from the Sun. Solar panels change sunlight into electricity.
  • Wind energy: moving air spins wind turbines.
  • Hydro (moving water): rivers and waterfalls spin turbines at hydroelectric stations, like the ones at Niagara Falls.
  • Biomass: energy from plants and animal waste, like firewood. It is only renewable if new plants are grown as fast as we use them.
  • Geothermal energy: heat from inside the Earth. Some homes use pipes in the ground to help heat and cool the house.

Non-renewable energy sources

A non-renewable source is limited. Once we use it, it can't be replaced in a human lifetime.

  • Fossil fuels: coal, oil (made into gasoline and diesel) and natural gas. They formed over millions of years from the remains of plants and tiny sea creatures that lived long ago. We are using them up much faster than nature could ever make more.
  • Uranium: a metal that is mined from rock. Nuclear power stations use it to make electricity. There is only a limited amount of it.
A concrete hydroelectric dam with white water rushing out below it, between forested riverbanks.
At a hydroelectric station, moving water spins turbines to make electricity. Rain and snow keep refilling the river, so this source is renewable. AI-generated image
Sort the energy sourcesRenewable• Solar (sunlight)• Wind• Hydro (moving water)• Geothermal (Earth's heat)• Biomass (if regrown)Non-renewable• Coal• Oil• Natural gas• UraniumNot a source+ −A battery onlystores energythat came fromsomewhere else.
Renewable sources are replaced by nature or won't run out. Non-renewable sources are limited. A battery is not a source at all: it stores energy.
SourceRenewable?One benefitOne drawback
SolarYesNo fuel to buy; no smokeMakes no electricity at night and less on cloudy, short winter days
WindYesNo fuel; no smokeMakes electricity only when the wind blows; turbines can harm some birds and bats
Hydro (moving water)YesSteady electricity; no smokeDams can flood land and change river habitats for fish
Biomass (wood)Yes, if regrownCan use local wood and wasteBurning makes smoke; forests must be replanted
Natural gas, oil, coalNoCan make heat or electricity any time it's neededBurning them releases carbon dioxide and air pollution; they will run out
Uranium (nuclear)NoMakes lots of electricity with very little air pollutionMining it disturbs land; used fuel stays dangerous for a very long time and must be stored safely
Comparing energy sources.

Where does Ontario's electricity come from?

Electricity is not an energy source by itself. It is made from other sources. In Ontario, electricity is made mainly using nuclear power stations, hydroelectric stations, natural gas, wind and solar. In 2014, Ontario stopped burning coal to make electricity.

A battery isn't an energy source either. It stores energy that came from somewhere else.

Worked example

Let's sort some tricky energy sources

Sort each one: renewable, non-renewable, or not a source: sunlight, natural gas, firewood, a battery, uranium.

  1. Sunlight: the Sun shines every day and won't run out for billions of years. Renewable.
  2. Natural gas: a fossil fuel that took millions of years to form. Non-renewable.
  3. Firewood: trees can grow back, so it's renewable, but only if forests are replanted and we don't cut them faster than they grow.
  4. A battery: it only stores energy that came from another source. It is not a source.
  5. Uranium: mined from rock; there is a limited amount. Non-renewable.

Renewable: sunlight, firewood (if regrown). Non-renewable: natural gas, uranium. Not a source: a battery (it stores energy).

Just for fun

Big but true: the blades on some large modern wind turbines are longer than an NHL hockey rink is wide (about 26 m). Imagine trying to fit one in your backyard!

Hands-on activity

Energy source research card

Use the scientific research process (A1.1).

You need: paper or an index card, a pencil, and a library book or a website a grown-up helps you choose.

  1. Choose one energy source: solar, wind, hydro, biomass, geothermal, natural gas, oil, coal or uranium.
  2. Ask questions: Is it renewable? How is it used to make electricity or heat? Where is it used in Ontario or Canada? What is one benefit and one drawback?
  3. Find information from at least two sources. Good sources include government websites (they often end in .gc.ca or ontario.ca), library books, and science centres. Check that both sources agree.
  4. Make a card with a drawing and your answers. Write where you found your information.
  5. Home detective (A3.1): with a grown-up, find out what energy sources your home uses. Does your furnace or stove use natural gas, electricity, wood, oil or propane? Does your hot water tank?

What to look for: a correct renewable/non-renewable label, one true benefit and one true drawback, and the names of the sources used.

Safety: only go online with a grown-up. Never touch a furnace, water heater or gas line; just ask or look at the label from a distance.

Your turn

1

What does renewable mean?

2

Name three renewable energy sources.

3

Name the three fossil fuels.

4

Why are fossil fuels non-renewable?

5

Is uranium renewable or non-renewable?

6

What energy source is used to make electricity at Niagara Falls?

More practice: warm-up

1

Renewable or non-renewable? Sunlight.

2

Renewable or non-renewable? Coal.

3

Renewable or non-renewable? Wind.

4

Renewable or non-renewable? Natural gas.

5

Renewable or non-renewable? Moving water in a river.

More practice: on your own

1

Is firewood renewable? Explain.

2

Is electricity an energy source? Name two sources used to make electricity in Ontario.

3

Give one drawback of solar energy in Canada.

4

Give one drawback of a hydroelectric dam.

5

Why can natural gas make heat any time, while wind can't?

Challenge

1

Is a battery an energy source? Explain.

2

Why is geothermal energy called renewable?

3

Your school wants to use renewable energy. Suggest a plan with two sources and explain your choice.

Check your understanding

Quiz

1.

Which energy source is renewable?

2.

Fossil fuels formed from...

3.

Uranium, used in nuclear power stations, is...

4.

Which is NOT an energy source, but stores energy?

5.

Firewood is renewable only if...

6.

A drawback of solar panels is that they...

For parents and teachers

Big idea (E2.5): children identify renewable sources (solar, wind, hydro, biomass if regrown, geothermal) and non-renewable sources (coal, oil, natural gas, uranium). The research card practises the scientific research process (A1.1), and the home detective task connects science to real life (A3.1).

How to help: help your child find out what heats your home and your water. Help them choose trustworthy websites (government, utility, science centre) and compare two sources.

Common difficulties:

  • Thinking electricity or batteries are sources. They carry or store energy made from other sources.
  • Calling nuclear energy a fossil fuel. Uranium is non-renewable but is not a fossil fuel.
  • Thinking renewable means "no impact". Dams, wind turbines and solar panels all have some drawbacks.

Safety: supervise internet research. Children should not touch furnaces, water heaters or gas lines.