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In a previous post we discussed renewable energy resources. Some readers may have wondered why biofuels were included in this discussion, as these emit carbon dioxide during production and/or use. In today’s post, we discuss differences between renewable and sustainable energy resources.

“Renewable” refers to energy derived from natural resources that can be naturally replenished at substantially the same rate as they are consumed. “Sustainable,” on the other hand, generally refers to energy production that can be maintained indefinitely without affecting future demand or causing lasting environmental damage—although often this definition is restricted to refer only to climate change and ignores other environmental impacts. Thus, while renewable energy resources provide solutions to avert a future energy shortage, only sustainable energy resources provide solutions for solving both energy and environmental crises. Biomass is a renewable resource, as the biological processes resulting in creation of new raw materials occur on a relatively short timescale. However, as production and/or use of these fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, they are not sustainable. Solar, wind, hydroelectric, and tidal power are both renewable and sustainable.

The primary reason for choosing renewable resources that are not sustainable is that, for the most part, they make use of existing infrastructure for processing petroleum oil. This also means that the fuel products can be distributed to consumers through the existing network of pipelines and bulk transportation vessels (by sea, road, or rail). Furthermore, these products are direct replacements for existing fuels in consumer devices used for transportation, heat, and power production. This lessens the immediate demand for new capital expenditure for both producers and consumers, and, along with carbon capture technology, forms a necessary bridge to a fully sustainable future.