Non-renewable fuels

One of the biggest geopolitical problems associated with oil is that besides being a non-renewable fuel, is its unevenly distributed around the globe. 

Fossil fuels are an example of non-renewable resources, so called because they are not being replaced at the same rate as they are being used up. For example, we have approximately 60 years supply of crude oil remaining, depending on the way in which it is extracted and the rate at which it is used, maybe more (Table 6.2). It is important to use non-renewable fuels very carefully and to consider alternative, renewable sources of energy for use now and in the future. 

The simple fact is that the world s reserves of fossil fuels will eventually run out, depending on the rate of use, and therefore, if the consumption of these forms of energy are reduced, the existing reserves will last longer. Research and experimentation could lead to those reserves currently available but uneconomic to recover and use being rendered economic, thus extending further the number of years before these non-renewable sources of energy do eventually run out. 

Bioethanol is becoming a viable solution as a source of renewable energy, as it is a non-fossil fuel. It may originate from renewable agricultural sources, resulting in cleaner combustion without any emissions to the air. 

Research being carried out in Finland on the use of packaging derived fuels (PDF) is reported. Studies have assessed that refuse derived (RDF) and packaging derived fuels could save Europe 1 billion pounds sterling per year in non-renewable fossils fuels. Results are discussed of... 

A broader and more detailed evaluation can be done by performing a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). The central idea of a LCA is that the environmental effects during the entire life cycle of a process are quantified. These environmental effects are caused by the use of fossil fuels for heating and production of electricity, the use of non-renewable raw materials for the production of materials and chemicals, and the emissions of pollutants to air, water and soil. These environmental effects can be subdivided further in various levels of detail. The five major effects mentioned are derived from the more general effects considered in the framework of the LCA. Based on the environmental sustainability of each of the complete treatment scenarios considered as technically feasible, a ranking according environmental... 

Non-renewable energy resources fossil fuels - supply and future availability... 

One of our most important sources of energy today is oil and coal. Fossil fuels are found deposited in rock formations. Fossils are non-renewable and relatively rare resources. More importantly, the major energy demand is fulfilled by fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are fossil source fuels, that is, hydrocarbons found within the top... 

Alternative fuels are substitute fuel sources to petroleum. These fuels are important because they replace petroleum fuels however, some still include a small amount of petroleum in the mixture. By replacing petroleum-based fuels, we will no longer need to rely on fossil fuel, which is a non-renewable resource. There are many benefits in using alternative fuels as well. The population of automobiles is currently dominated by vehicles burning gasoline, where the main alternative fuels for these types of vehicles are alcohol, liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, hydrogen and electricity. 

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