Energy Resources
Where does our electricity, heat, and fuel come from?
Nonrenewable Resources Resources that are used up more quickly than they can naturally be replaced.
Non-Renewable -examples
Renewable Resources Any natural resource that is recycled or replaced constantly by nature.
Renewable Resources -examples
U.S. Energy Use Totals 2009
Make electricity by turning a generator
Fossil Fuels the fuel is burned to boil water to make steam the steam makes a turbine spin the spinning turbine turns a generator which produces electricity the electricity goes to the transformers to produce the correct voltage
Fossil Fuels (Oil, Coal, Natural Gas) Advantages Inexpensive Currently widely available Disadvantages Non-renewable Polluting Dangerous to mine (coal)
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Energy Advantages Disadvantages Less polluting than fossil fuels Provides a great amount of energy inexpensively Disadvantages Non-renewable Radioactive waste (dangerous)
Solar Energy
Solar Energy Advantages Disadvantages Non-polluting Inexhaustible Expensive technology Must have sunny area
Wind Energy
Wind Energy Advantages Disadvantages Non-polluting Renewable Visual pollution (large windmills) Windy area needed
Hydroelectric Energy
Hydroelectric Energy Advantages Disadvantages Non-polluting Renewable Flooding (destroys land/habitats) Destroys fish migration routes
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal Energy Advantages Disadvantages Non-polluting Inexhaustible Costly to dig deep into Earth
Biomass –garbage, wood
Biomass Energy Advantages Disadvantages Quick to replace Renewable Inexpensive Disadvantages Pollution produced when products are burnt