Energy! Your World and You

Renewable Resources Renewable resources can be used over and over again. Some examples of renewable resources are: Solar Energy (sun) Wind Energy Geothermal (the heat of the earth) Hydroelectric (water) Biomass (plants)

Solar Energy Solar panels collect radiant energy from the sun and convert it to electricity Solar energy has been used in planes, cars, buildings, and it used to power satellites and The International Space Station Plants convert solar energy into chemical energy in their leaves When animals and plants die, their energy decomposes and over time becomes oil, coal and natural gas.

Wind Energy Large wind turbines spin in the power of the wind to generate electricity Wind power has been used since the windmills used to turn gears to grind grains

Biomass Biomass is a renewable energy source. Biofuels are transportation fuels produced from biomass. Biomass

Geothermal Energy Uses heat from the earth to make electricity Geothermal steam and hot springs have been used for centuries for bathing and heating

Hydroelectric About 5% of the energy we use Uses the force of flowing or falling water to make electricity When the dam at Niagara Falls was constructed it was the largest in the world! About 5% of the energy we use

Non-Renewable Energy A natural resource that cannot be re-made, re-grown or regenerated Some examples of Non-renewable resources are: Coal Oil Natural gas Nuclear Fossil fuels come from prehistoric fossils. Ancient plants absorbed energy from the sun and converted it into more plants. Ancient animals ate the plants. When the plants and animals died their remains collected and decomposed into fuel.

Coal Pollutes the air. About 20% of the energy we use. A fossil fuel that is burned to release energy Coal has been used as fuel as early as 3000 BCE and is still used today Pollutes the air. About 20% of the energy we use.

Oil About 45% of the energy we use. Pollutes the water. A fossil fuel that must be purified before it can be used to produce energy Crude oil is found deep in the earth and is drilled and then pumped out of the earth About 45% of the energy we use. Pollutes the water.

Natural Gas Pollutes air and water. About 25% of the energy we use. Natural gas is a major source of electricity generation through the use of gas turbines Natural gas is actually odorless until an odorant is added for safety reasons Pollutes air and water. About 25% of the energy we use.

Nuclear Energy Nuclear power comes from radioactive materials A coal power plant releases 100 times as much radiation as a nuclear power plant of the same wattage Comes from radioactive uranium Produces far more power per ton than any other energy source Does NOT contribute to air pollution Produces radioactive waste and is hazardous to living things Exposure to radioactive materials can result in mutations, illness or death Hard finding a safe place to dispose of waste About 6% of energy we use