Renewable/non-renewable fuel?

Question

What's the difference between a renewable fuel and a non-renewable fuel?

Answer 1

A non-renewable fuel is one such as crude oil, coal, natural gas etc. These were formed over a very long time and once they're used up, that's that.

A renewable fuel is one such as wind, sun light, wood, tidal etc. These things are constantly replenishing (although we're cutting down trees faster than they grow back at this point).

The biggest renewable energy is by FAR solar power, however the other sources of energy are still quite significant, and it depends on the location energy is needed as to which source it is best to expoit.

Here's a nice little graphic to show just how much power is up for grabs from three renewable sources, compared to what we use:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Avail...

Answer 2

non-renewable fuel:  example coal, once burnt, it is gone forever.

No process on Earth, in the next 1000 years will make coal again.

Renewable fuel: like biofuel, once burnt, it is gone forever, but next year,  people will harvest biofuel again

in the form of say, sugar cane or corn.