Primary energy sources take many forms, including nuclear energy, fossil energy — like oil, coal and natural gas — and renewable sources like wind, solar, geothermal and hydropower.

That is why we also call those energy sources fossil fuels. Most of the petroleum products consumed in the United States are made from crude oil, but petroleum liquids can also be made from natural gas and coal….Most of our energy is nonrenewable

• Petroleum.
• Hydrocarbon gas liquids.
• Natural gas.
• Coal.
• Nuclear energy.

There are two sources of energy: renewable and nonrenewable energy.

At the most foundational level, however, there are just two sources of energy. Two sources provide more than 99 percent of the power for our civilization: solar and nuclear. Every other significant energy source is a form of one of these two. Most are forms of solar.

Fossil fuels are the largest sources of energy for electricity generation. Natural gas was the largest source—about 40%—of U.S. electricity generation in 2020.

These are the top 10 energy sources:

• Biomass Biomass or bio-energy, the energy from organic matter for thousands of years, ever since people started burning wood to cook food.
• Biogas.
• Tidal Energy.
• Wind Energy.
• Geothermal Energy.
• Radiant Energy.
• Hydro Electricity.
• Compressed Natural Gas.

Renewable resources include solar energy, wind, falling water, the heat of the earth (geothermal), plant materials (biomass), waves, ocean currents, temperature differences in the oceans and the energy of the tides.

The most efficient forms of renewable energy geothermal, solar, wind, hydroelectricity and biomass. Biomass has the biggest contribution with 50%, followed by hydroelectricity at 26% and wind power at 18%.

Nonrenewable energy resources include coal, natural gas, oil, and nuclear energy. Once these resources are used up, they cannot be replaced, which is a major problem for humanity as we are currently dependent on them to supply most of our energy needs.

Most non-renewable resources are minerals, which are mined, for example, gold, iron ore, titanium. Coal and oil are known as fossil fuels and are also non-renewable.

Here is a list of 10 examples of non-renewable energy resources available out there in the world.

• Fossil fuels.
• Crude Oil.
• Coal.
• Uranium.
• Natural Gas.
• Tar Sand.
• Steel.
• Phosphate.

What are some examples of renewable resources?

• On this page: What are renewable resources?
• Solar energy. Going solar is the most practical renewable energy option for homeowners.
• Wind energy.
• Geothermal energy.
• Hydropower.
• Bioenergy.
• Natural gas.
• Oil.

As superior as it may sound, the animals we breed and manage their populations to get some products from them represent a renewable resource as well. Naturally, first species that cross everyone’s mind is livestock reared for meat, milk, and eggs.

Sand is not a renewable resource. This means that once we use sand, it will not become available again.

Cotton is sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable, making it an excellent choice as an environmentally-friendly fiber throughout its entire product life cycle. Most chemical fibers are petroleum based, which means they come from nonrenewable resources.

Rocks and soils are also considered to be non-renewable resources because they take so long to be replaced. Living things are a resource for humans and other organisms. Water, rocks, air and soil supply the materials needed for all life.

Glass is made of sand and, as such, is considered to be made from an inexhaustible renewable natural resource.

Glass is heavier than plastic, and breaks much easier during transit. This means it produces more emissions in transportation than plastic, and costs more to transport. Yet another thing to consider is most glass isn’t actually recycled. Colored glass can only be recycled and melted down with like-colors.

Glass is heavier and more fragile to transport than other packaging materials. The added transportation costs go against the sustainability of glass.