1. Section 15.3: Energy Resources
Chapter 15: Energy
Section 15.3:
Energy Resources

2. Nonrenewable Energy Resources
These types of resources exist in limited amounts.
Cannot be replaced in a reasonable amount of time
Examples:
Oil (fossil fuel)
Natural Gas (fossil fuel)
Coal (fossil fuel)
Uranium

3. Renewable Energy Resource
Resources that can be replaced in a reasonable amount of time
Examples:
Hydroelectric energy
Solar energy
Geothermal energy
Wind
Biomass
Nuclear fusion (in the future)

4. Hydroelectric Energy Energy obtained from flowing water Advantages
Potential energy from downward flowing water changes to kinetic energy.
Kinetic energy can be connected to electric generators
Advantages
Low cost to produce
Causes no pollution
Disadvantages
Dams cause environmental concerns.
Many of the best places for dams in the U.S. are already being used.

5. Solar Energy Sunlight converted into usable energy
Benefits depend on climate
Does not cause pollution
If the climate lends itself to cloudier weather, then solar energy is not as practical.

6. Geothermal Energy Thermal energy beneath Earth’s surface
Found in some regions ~ especially ones close to volcanoes
Advantage: does not cause pollution
Biggest disadvantage: not widely available

7. Other Renewable Resources
Biomass energy: chemical energy stored in living things
Can be converted into thermal energy
Examples:
burning wood
using corn stalks to produce fuel for cars
Hydrogen fuel cells: generate electricity by reacting hydrogen with oxygen (produces water)
Fusion: likely to produce little pollution or radioactive waste

8. Conserving Energy Resources
Energy can be conserved by:
reducing energy needs
increasing the efficiency of energy use
Finding ways to do these two things is energy conservation.
Making products more energy efficient can be expensive at first (a problem for manufacturers) but saves money and energy over time.